Managing Migraine in College

The car is packed and you have told your dog that he is a good boy at least 100 times. Today is move-in day for your freshman year of college. Some people that you know are nervous about meeting new friends or deciding whether they should go to the big party. You think about those things too but often have bigger things on your mind. The main concern: Can I thrive in college with chronic migraine?

The first thing you can do to set yourself up for success is connect with the office for students with disabilities before the school year begins. Don’t make the mistake that I did thinking that you are not sick enough or worthy of accommodations. With the help of your doctor and a counselor at your new school, you can figure out ways to succeed when migraine strikes. Examples of helpful accommodations could include but are not limited to: being allowed to record lectures when it is difficult to take notes, taking an exam another day, more excused absences, the ability to wear sunglasses during class because of fluorescent lights, or receiving lecture notes when you are unable to attend class. A week before classes begin, email each of your teachers and ask to schedule a time to talk to them about your health. It will show initiative to email them before classes begin and that you are determined to succeed.

Start out with a reasonable number of credits in your first semester of college. Being a full-time college student takes a lot of time and energy. Make sure your schedule seems doable. If part-time seems like a smarter option, then go for it. You can always take more classes the next semester. College classes are different than high school and it will take time to see what your body can handle. If you realize that you have overloaded yourself with credits, drop a class before it makes you sicker and while you can still receive money back. Each semester might look different for you. You could consider summer classes if it is easier for you to be successful with fewer credits in the fall and spring semesters.

Working while being a college student can be a challenge, whether you are managing a chronic illness or not. If you need to work during the semester, look for an on-campus job. Employers will be most accommodating to students when they are accustomed to working around a student’s schedule. If you are living on campus your freshman year, take advantage of not having to drive to work or work long hours. Often, you can fit a short shift in between classes or even have designated work days and then the other days can be filled with classes and studying. What works for you might not work for the next person, so experiment with what works for you and your health. Start with fewer hours; you can almost always pick up shifts when you feel good. If you have the luxury of not working during your first semester of college, take it. You will be able to figure out what you can handle school- wise and be able to dive into things that you find interesting with more ease.

One of the most important things I learned as a college student was to utilize the good days. When you feel well, work on things that are the most challenging for you. When you feel the least pain, fatigue and brain fog, get the tough work done. On the other hand, make sure to have some fun and relaxation on those days, too. Working too hard and putting yourself into pain is easy to do and figuring out your limits is tricky. Work smarter, not harder.

Don’t compare your path to those around you. You may realize that it will take you more than four years to complete your degree because of your migraines. That’s OK. Keep plugging away. Enjoy where you are now and realize you are exactly where you need to be.

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