In university it can be easy to get overwhelmed with workload and focus solely on your school work rather than your body. There have been times where I took my medication late, or didn’t listen to my body in order to get work done. Although I thought this wasn’t a big deal, it caused negative effects in the long-run. I ended up experiencing flare ups, extra fatigue, and burnout. Thus, I recommend putting your health first, above all else. Make sure you stop on top of your medication schedule, and if something feels off, write it down in your notes (and include the date) so you ensure you’re documenting your health properly and can look at the progress of your symptoms. These notes will come in handy when you speak with your doctor and will help you recognize the result of your medication management. Additionally, if you feel tired and your body needs rest, listen to your body. Universities have accommodation measures in place for this exact reason.

The best piece of advice I can give is to A) coordinate with your doctor and a nearby pharmacy to have access to your medications while studying at university and B) research your university’s accommodation practices prior to starting at the university, or as soon as you can. In my case, I did not inquire about these accommodations because I felt like I didn’t need them. However, halfway through my first semester, I had a flare up and it affected my ability to write. Consequently, I was rushed into obtaining the required documentation from my doctor in order to get the accommodations before a long hand-written exam. However, once this process was completed, the accommodations were great. I received a “fluctuating condition” letter, which I can present to my professors if I need extensions for assignments because of my health. At the University of Ottawa, many accommodation measures are offered, depending on your needs. Some include a personal note-taker, extra time on exams, being able to type instead of hand write answers, getting deadline extensions, etc. These accommodations vary depending on your university, but it is definitely worth researching