Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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Structured learning environment

Deckard
Deckard

Hmm let's see. I was fortunate enough to go-to college. First off I came from a middle class family. My mom and dad are from Germany, with no formal education. Just the equivalent to highschool. My parents stressed a college education since they did not have one. They wanted me to have things which they did not.


I was a complete slacker in school though. A complete flake.i somehow managed to fumble through all 5 years. I actually earned a BS not a BA lol. So a more science driven degree.


Anyway, I think I turned out fairly smart. I'm not very practical at some points. Mainly financially. I just did not like a structured educational environment. I hated juggling 5 classes. Having to study and forcing myself to remember information that I would soon forget. I did like to learn new things, but I wanted to ponder over new things and not have to change my attention to other topics.


Anyway I frequently have semi nightmares about college and not completing my degree. How many of you were complete slackers in college? How many straight A students do we have here? 


OlderCPer
OlderCPer
12 years University, started at 15. Associates in Computer Science, Bachelors in Accounting and a Ph.d in Clinical Psychology. 4.26 GPA

I'm a geek when it comes to school and learning. If I lived in a dream world and could have just done whatever I wanted and not had to earn money....I would have been a Professional Student and just jumped from one Degree Plan to another and learned new things all my life. That would have been an amazing life!
malibumark
malibumark
I have had nightmares where I feel like I am still finishing school.
Community LeaderSunCloudJD
SunCloudJD
I really enjoyed learning as an adult and I went back to school for specific course but when I was young it was all a joke to me..... Big hug Chris I wasn't a good student when I was young either.... Play time..... xo
Deckard
Deckard
Thanks SunCloud. If I could go back, I would have paid more attention to studies and got into something I liked and could make money. As an adult, I have no patience for formal education anymore. I do like to learn new things on my own though.
MayB
MayB
Oh college in my 20's was an ordeal. I went through junior college and got my 2 year degree but a B.A. was out of the question. I was full blown bipolar and that didn't match up too well with study skills....I went back when I transitioned out of a career job that I hated and got the B.A. I'm a better student now....but I sure was a slacker then!!!
Deckard
Deckard
Slackers unite! :-)
Deckard
Deckard
In my 20s I was just starting to have issues....I was naive and a little wacky... I somehow stuck it out in college and wanted to quit several times. I had to repeat a few classes over again to satisfy my degree requirements.

To this day, I have nightmares of college. About not finishing.
Community LeaderSunCloudJD
SunCloudJD
Yes I would have done things differently as well BUT I did have some good times!!….

I sure would have plugged into school more …. I got a lot out of the courses I took as an adult and was then the A student....smile
Sunshinegirl0228
Sunshinegirl0228
I failed student teaching. My professor only passed me because she prayed about it and felt that if she did not pass me, I would quit school. I quit anyway. I was a major procrastinator and was struggling with depression and anxiety and balancing work and school and home life. This was pre diagnosis too.
SensitiveHoboLady
SensitiveHoboLady
I also have recurring dream/nightmares about university and not finishing! I was experiencing my bipolar mania at times during college looking back at those years and was getting diagnosed with thyroid issues and depression instead. I enjoy doing online courses now though! If I could find someone to finance my life for awhile I’d love to try university again without the stress of trying to finance it all. I wish my employer would pay for my continued schooling so I could be a lifelong resource for them. It’d be psychology related of course.
mlr0853
mlr0853
At 65 I still dream for finishing my degree...so much of life has gotten in the way, and that nasty word procrastination...lucky me now, I don't have to pay for college...just books...age does have some benefits. I'm trying to get dear son with aspergers to consider online college...possibility?
OlderCPer
OlderCPer
I still take a class or 2 each semester to learn new things. And I have to keep my Certifications current/Licenses current so every few years I have to take Re-certification Courses. I just finished my Psychology Recert Courses. I still enjoy doing coursework and taking classes, even though now days they're primarily online.

Anything I can do to keep my brain centered and focused and busy always means a better outcome when it comes to staving off Depression and Manic Eps for me.
feelmusic
feelmusic
I enjoyed reading all your post. Should of could of always comes into everything. It sounds like everyone tries to be in the arena one way or another, Right now that sure counts for something. I don’t feel I’m in the arena at all anymore. I have my degree and had a wonderful career that I loved but now I just struggle to stay afloat day to day. I’m a work in progress I need to feel I’m worth even being in the arena if that makes sense.
Deckard
Deckard
Thanks feelmusic. My posts are partly therapeutic, also a reminder for me to be grateful maybe. Also a chance to kinda better my grammar skills. One thing about my grammar is even after a 4 or 5 year period in college, I still don't know where to put a semi colon.. lol.

I guess I know two languages half-assed. I suppose I am a little half-assed. Thanks for your nice comment.
enaid
enaid
I blew through a couple college level art schools without graduating because self destruct type stuff was more important to me and I continued this way through my entire life and consequently have nothing to show for it all. The one thing which I was consistent with and I mean every single day consistent was painting. And I brought myself a long way with that, although sticking it out with the classical training would have helped a great deal.

For awhile telling myself I was an artist, and it was therefore almost a duty to party and get wasted, served the purpose of making me feel good about myself. It doesnt however work for me anymore. Of course my partying days are long behind me now but what I have to show for it is - a healthy inventory of decent artwork and absolutely no life save what’s afforded me by the welfare rolls.
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