Back to School Bipolar Survival Guide

It's that time of year again; time to put together our bipolar survival guide and head back to school. There are only a few weeks left until this fall semester and the beginning of a new school year arrives. For many of us, this little vacation has been a brief reprieve from the stress, emotions, and hard work, but it's now time to return and we all need to be mentally prepared. Here's a bipolar survival guide for your back to school stress. Take a look.

Your Bipolar Survival Guide For Going Back to School

1. Keep your goals in sight. For example, this semester will be my last before graduation, and by keeping this in mind, I feel more inspired and motivated to do my best so that I can finally finish and get out! Will you be graduating from university or high school? Will you be getting any kind of personal incentives that you've maybe set for yourself? Read Reasonable Expectations and Healthy Goals and Mental Illness if you doubt your ability to set a goal.
2. Get organized and stay organized. One of the best things you can do is to try to get organized to eliminate any unnecessary stressors in your everyday life. For example, try to keep your notes and book bag organized and pack your bag the night before for the following day.
3. Talk to your school's disability services if necessary. If this is something you need to do, do it! They can offer you accommodations such as extra time for exams, as well as many other things.
   
4. Form a relationship with your professors early in the semester. This is very important, and it's also something that I've been scared to do for ages. I have always felt as if my professors will think I'm coming up with excuses for my performance if I talk to them about my bipolar struggles and weaknesses. In reality, though, this is normally not true. Most professors will find this as a way of reaching out and trying your best to do what you can, especially if done in the beginning of the semester, and may be more willing to help you outside of class.
5. Seek out the best spots to study and spend your time while on campus. Whether or not you live on or off campus, create a safe place for yourself that you actually want to be in. Keep your study space clear and organized, and have yourself plenty of seating and anything you find cozy to make yourself feel comfortable and at home -- somewhere you want to be!
   
6. Be mindful of what you're feeling. Try to always take a step back and examine what you're feeling. Take time to relax and have some down time. It's okay to take breaks!

Always remember that you have many resources available to you. If you're struggling, seek out your school's counselors or your university's counseling services.

What things do you recommend for the beginning of the semester and school year? What have you found to be helpful or unhelpful?

You can also find Alexa Poe on Google+, Facebook and Twitter.