first off, take a breath. Its okay to be emotional, especially when you under a lot of pressure. As a university student myself, it took a long to come to terms to my own disability (I feel I still am) but Ive come a long way. So I completely understand where your coming from... but its good to remember, that you dont have to define youself from your disability. You are so much more than that. And I had to become strong in my own convictions... such as having less on my plate, so I can do better in school. Im only doing part time, and theres nothing wrong with it, though at times I feel guilty, there is no timeline for success. You have to do what you have to do for your own self, Try not to worry to much about others. I know its hard as I too have difficulty when it comes to other opinions but darling, this isnt their life. Its yours.
again... breath. Try do practice self care. Start with baby steps, like listing 3 things that make you happy or you accomplished in a day. Like Today I went for a small walk even though I didnt feel like it. Hope it helps! warm hugs.

I'm sorry Ellidee, exams always made me terribly anxious... I know how hard it is to do that when you think you should be learning, learning, learning... but maybe it would do you good to take some relaxation time (I mean: scheduled relaxation time, not "I should be learning but I'm too tired"-time. That's not relaxing.) Usually learning is easier and more efficient afterwards. Just a thought. Hope you find what helps you, hugs.

PS: It's totally okay to say what you don't want to hear in a response.

Rant on, Elli. I hope it helped. Finals are hell by academic design. They will find the cracks in the most balanced of students an profies. Judgement day has arrived, my academic ones. The campus stress levels are intense enough to be felt throughout the surrounding communities.

Just breathe, Ellidee. We're rooting for you. You can do this.

Hugs Elli! Rant away!!! Wish this was around when I was in school too! Hoping you can find small times for a break to reset. I too have trouble focusing for long periods of time. Sometimes if I do a little something on the side for a few minutes (doodle?), it helps my brain reset and helps me to focus again. When I was in grad school, tests were 8 hours, so I could go for a two minute walk outside for fresh air. Not sure if this will help but wishing you the best on exams (no matter what happened you are still just as smart hug!).

Hi all, thank you so much for your support. I really appreciate it. I made it through a couple national exams and am now preparing for my last one, though I still have to take some finals.

The exam I am studying for right now is triggering me. It's on one of those subjects that I understood very well before my trauma, and since I haven't been able to do much homework in the past year due to concentration and memory issues (and also lots of trauma flashbacks), I ended up neglecting this class. I guess I don't necessarily deserve any sympathy because it has been a whole year, which seems like I should have had enough time to heal and get my life back in order, but I haven't.

I don't know how to explain why this exam is setting me on edge so much. I have a big pile of review packets to finish and I don't think I can finish all of it over the weekend. I'm exhausted from the exams I've already taken this week. My exam is early next week so there's no way for me to negotiate with my teacher and turn them in later. They're also worth a lot of points, so if I don't turn them in, I'm officially failing my first class in high school. This whole class is causing me a lot of anxiety. My teacher is understanding about my situation and is very nice to me, and I feel like they don't deserve to teach someone like me.

My mind is a whole mess right now and I can't think anymore. I have a bunch of other thoughts that I should state here in this post, but I can't seem to recall any of them. I'm just going to end my thoughts here.

Gentle hugs and continued support, Ellidee

Congratulations on how far you've come through so many struggles... You deserve all sympathy and support.

I hope you can find a way to calm down a little and be gentle with yourself (I know how difficult that can be. Just my best wishes)

Much strength for the weekend and next week

Your exam....any exam... is a measure of a small amount of what you can remember and synthesize at one moment in time. It is not a measure of your whole worth and it does not guarantee/prohibit you from having a fulfilling life.

Just try to remind yourself that you've had tests in the past and you'll have tests in the future, and any one of them won't really mean much of anything to you when you are older.

Good for you, ellidee, for how you proved yourself not just once, but twice already on those two national exams you've taken so far. Just let yourself be in optimal shape for this third exam. Get lots of good sleep, eat healthy, enjoy your favorite music, do all that it takes to get yourself into a good head space. Then let you be you and you go and do your thing. You've got this third one.

Hi all! Thank you so much for your support. I have made it through my national exams, and now just need to focus on my final exams and projects.

I'm tired out. I've barely gotten any sleep because I've been studying for exams and making up missing assignments. Just last night I only got less than 2 hours of sleep. It's also been taking me longer to fall asleep--about 30 mins to an hour of just lying awake in bed-- and I think it's because of the amount of pressure and stress I have experienced lately. I'm tired yet I can't fall asleep. It's an uncomfortable feeling.

Way to go with those national exams, ellidee! Get some rest now. If you have trouble falling asleep, over the counter Melatonin helped me in the past.
https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/what-is-melatonin

Good for you getting through the first two exams..... I tend to be a worrier as well and hindsight always has me asking why I put myself through the misery

I wish I knew how not to worry....

I wish you well on your last exam and a good nights sleep..... Big hug.....xo

Congratulations, Ellidee!

I hope you get some good sleep

Congratulations!!! I hope you were able to get a good night's sleep.