Fibromyalgia College Tips

  So this is my first time posting to this blog I made, woo-hoo milestone! Now, silly self-congratulations aside, if you are reading this, chances are you are also part of the exclusive club that is Juvenile Fibromyalgia or just have regular Fibromyalgia and want to go to school. I too was in this boat a few years back and, at least for me, it was terrifying! I wasn't sure how I'd make it thru because of how forgetful I was and how bad my flares would get on a day to day basis. All I knew was that I HAD to try, because if I ever wanted a job that wasn't basically actual physical torture, I had to get a degree. After three painstaking years I got my degree and I will tell you it was the most amazing thing I have ever done, so glad I did not chicken out! While I will admit that I probably made things way harder on myself (I was adamantly averse to admitting I need help with anything because of my foolish young person pride), I did discover some really great ways to pull thru College and some things that I would have done differently if I could go back in time. Here are my tips on how to get thru your college years:

1. Print every one of your syllabi, lot of professors will write down every last detail how the course will progress in the syllabus. If you keep it with all your notes and handouts and look at it when you get to your dorm, it helps immensely with not forgetting you actually have homework. It also helps you know which classes you might be able to afford skipping if a flare pops up.
2. E-book or no book is key. Often if you look long enough or hard enough you'll be able to find them online free or a lot cheaper then the bookstore will sell them. It will also give you a lighter bag and less clutter to clean in your dorm.
3. Try to schedule all your classes in the shortest walking distance possible from each other and area you park. I learned really quickly that the less walking I had to do, the better my grades were going to be. Always plan your class schedule like a tourist going sightseeing to limit the amount of physical efforts required. Making your schedule tight, and placed among 2 or 3 neighboring buildings will limit the amount of strain on you.
4. Limit clubs, fraternities and sororities to the most important ones to you. I am going to come out and say it, Clubs and organizations are very pointless despite what they will tell you at their little booths. Being in DECA or Alpha Psi Bubu Phi will not help you get a job when you graduate. Sure they can be a great fun way to meet new people, but they aren't a means to your end goal necessarily. I joined something called Enactis paid like 150 dollar to do things for them, and made zero friends or connections out of it. Ultimately do what you want here, but they cost a lot of money, and they will get grouchy if you miss a few weeks of meetings cause you were sick. In my opinion, it wasn't worth it but try one or two if you want.
5. Enroll in hybrid and online classes sparingly. I say this because they take a lot of extra motivation and self-prioritization then classroom courses. At least for me, I found it helped me to be able to go into a classroom and passively listen then it was to try to force myself to read materials while feeling miserable. If you regularly have bad pain flares, I recommend the classroom. Once you get into the room, you just have to listen and then you won't be behind.
6. Sweatpants are your friend enough said, they are easy on the joints and baggy so you can't feel the seams. After all, you aren't paying to look cute sitting at a desk, you are paying to learn.
7. Use Disability services if you need help. I was adamantly stubborn and didn't do this but that doesn't mean you have to be! They will help you with notes, transport to class, and test taking time extensions so long as you have your doctor note you are in need! I was young and stupidly stubborn and totally regret not taking advantage of at least the transportation they provide.