No one can deny the fact that university is a whole new adventure. It is like the stage between your teenage self and becoming an adult.

You have a glimpse of what it is like to be free, to have that freedom you have always craved since secondary school.

The freedom might feel like something good to you (wait until you get there) but one thing that never make sense is the high level of stress in Nigerian universities.

The stress is a major disadvantage for students like me living with a chronic illness especially sickle cell. One of the triggers of sickle cell crisis is stress.

During my first in university, I went through so much stress that during exams, I spent six days in the hospital.

After I was discharged, things got worse and my grade was not what I expected but I learnt a lot of lessons and I survived until this point.

If you are a student like me living with a chronic illness, I have some tips that will help you survive university. You would find these tips useful no matter the university you attend. And please share it after reading.

Tips to help student survive university

Here are some tips to survive university with chronic illness

1. Consider getting an accommodation

This is one thing you should do first before resuming school. It will save you the stress of jumping buses to attend classes. Although I do not recommend you getting school hostel. You might regret it. I do not recommend it because in a school hostel, everyone is in there for himself. No one will help you do things when you can’t. I suggest you get an accommodation close to school with a friend that knows you well and can help you.

2. Consider your course of study

Have you done your research on the course you want to study? Some courses are more stressful than others. Seek people who have been there, ask them about the course. Read about it online. A stressful course can get you bad grades if you are not careful. Having said that, I should also add that if the course is really what you want, then go for it and keep reading for more tips.

3. Plan your time effectively

What you do with your time is important. Make sure you make good use of it. Rest when you are supposed to, read and have fun too. You are the only one that can plan your time, so sit down and plan it.

4. Learn to forgive yourself

To be honest, there will be days when you won’t do what you planned. There will be days when you won’t be able to attend lectures. You need to accept that and forgive yourself so you can move on. Don’t beat yourself up for missing tests or exams, it can be frustrating but you are different so don’t beat yourself.

5. Make friends

Living with a chronic illness in the university can be isolating. You might be tempted to want to be alone or do it alone. Don’t fall for it.
You can’t survive alone, not in university, not in this world. Find friends that have compassion and can help you academically as well as morally. You would need loads of their support. I made the mistake of trying to do it alone. I did everything alone but it later affected my health and grade.
Don’t make the same mistake, make friends as soon as possible yet be wise in choosing your friends.

Need more tips? Click https://yomisblog.com/tips-to-survive-university-as-a-student-living-with-chronic-illness/