calling the uni students!
 

im at uni in birmingham doing a community arts degree, and my grades have been falling since christmasish, i dont know if itis to do with my change in meds, my genral mental state being rubbish or that the work is harder, things that i thaught i didn well at im coming out with 50% for.....

i dont really get any support from cmht even though i am technically under their care. i dont really know what to do. the doc just told me to go to the theatre more and join some societys....i dont have the money for theatre or the time for a society.....

oh and i distinctly lack a social life now, only really see two friends and wont see one of them for like 2 months now because of distance ect

i've found uni difficult too. i think you should push the cmht to review your needs, or at least make them aware how things are. is there a student counselling service you could look into?

Hiya! Uni can be difficult, yes, I think there's a uni student's thread here, actually, dealing with issues like these... Anyway - I'm not sure if I have any good advice, but I'll try... Are there any professors, teachers, something like that you might talk to? They do want you to pass, and they want you to do it while actually feeling ok metally - most unit are prepared to accommodate mental health problems. Even if talking to your tutor doesn't help you with your grades, it might provide some help just talking about your problems (cliche, I know, bur cliche for a reason)... I don't have much experience with meds, so I can't offer advice on that, except ask the person who prescribed them if what you're experiencing is "normal", and maybe you'll have an explanation, at least for yourself, I know how it feels not to know why your brain doesn't seem to be functioning the way it should be...anyway, i suppose a change of meds could always be at least part of the explanation... other than that, with exam times approach in for most of us - try to break it down into manageable parts, find past papers, try to find some "headlines", or recurring themes in those, and focus on those.
Sorry, that's all I can come up with at the moment, but feel free to pm me if you feel like it, I might have something slightly more intelligent to say when my brain's less jumbled...
Good luck, though, I'm sure it'll turn out all right in the end, believe it or not, it often does!
Love, K

Hey i would also suggest your student counselling service.
Perhaps you can talk to your tutor about mitigating circumstances/extensions/leniencies if you have exams/assignments coming up?
Uni can be very difficult and stressful and how much more so when dealing with MH stuff as well.

As for socialising i think that is really something crucial, support networks can make such a difference. Are there more students you can talk to from you course or what about the people you live with? it may also help to join a society?

take care xxx

Have you thought about applying for DSA?

Sorry if i am repeating the advice above.
Talk to your academic supervisor or disability service at Uni as soon as possible.
If your health team is giving you that advice they are not worried about your mental health and it may be about how you are managing and meeting the courseload. It is really hard to find a balance when you have a mental health issue and want to do well but have a social life. Prescription: theatre and join a society may sound messed up- but maybe you could join the theatre society....
I found it really hard to participate but I made friends by trying. I was in several societies and went when I could because it forced me to make new friends.
I also had a support worker who made such a difference.
Through the disability service you can have allowances made- but sometimes, it might just be a matter of talking to a course tutor about an essay you didn't do so well on- to find out where you could do better and maybe see if library or student services offer help with writing essays, researching etc.
I agree with the comment that they don't want you to fail. Even if you have to take a year out to rest, allow yourself that period. University can be a good experience but it is not the end goal. It is great environment to learn how to cope- but how you are or are not coping at Uni does not define you.

Finally if you think either your doctor or the University are not taking you seriously MIND is a great resource.

Hugs

i don't really have the time to join a society, do 25-30 hours a week in uni, as for theatre i get to as much free stuff as i can but cant afford to pay for it. In terms of support from cmht, it is barely there, was really ill last term and almost got kicked out of uni and it took them two weeks to provide a letter to say i could continue with the course. I have tried talking to my tutors but they just tell me to speak to cmht as they are not qualified to deal with me.
sorry about the late reply, my internet has been moronic

I think it is worth speaking to the disability service at your uni, they will be able to help with academic stuff.

they have given me extra time on essays but past that they have been unable to help as i do a very practical course. I am getting concerned that as i go into my final year in septemeber i wont be able to pass\get a decent grade

I second trying to speak with disability services at your university, also checking into the counselling centre/service at your uni as well.