| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | studied full-time but with hindsight I think that |
| Studying can be extremely difficult when you | | | | studying **part-time** would have lifted a lot of |
| have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome /Post Viral | | | | the stress for me. The pace would have been |
| Fatigue Syndrome /ME. And if you experience | | | | slower and I may have even been able to attend |
| severe brain fog, concentration and memory | | | | more classes too (I missed many of them). |
| problems, it can be a near-to-impossible feat. But | | | | With hindsight, I think that it may have been |
| if you **do** feel well enough to study, there | | | | easier if I had considered either: |
| **are** options out there which can make things | | | | 1) going to a **local** university or college and |
| a lot easier for you. | | | | studying **part-time** or; |
| So what do you do if you want to study but | | | | 2) opting for a 'home study' course (distance |
| have CFS/ME/PVFS? | | | | learning). |
| Well if your condition is moderate-to-severe then | | | | So if you feel that you can study but perhaps not |
| taking a term- or year-out to recover from your | | | | full-time, then going part-time could be an option |
| condition is definitely worth considering. But for | | | | for you. And if you feel that you are not able to |
| some of us this just isn't an option. | | | | manage a full-time or even part-time course, then |
| In addition, some of us may already be studying a | | | | home study (distance learning) can be a viable |
| course when we first develop this condition. Not | | | | option. |
| wanting to stop the course, it is not uncommon | | | | I think that living in the home environment while |
| for us to try to carry on, regardless of our | | | | you study may make it much easier on you (if |
| struggles to keep up with the course's pace and | | | | your home environment is a safe, calm |
| intensity. | | | | environment and if you are surrounded by people |
| What's more, often it's not a case of 'just | | | | who know and care for you). |
| managing your course' either. If only it were that | | | | Studying when you have CFS/ME/PVFS **is |
| simple! College and university life opens up a | | | | not** a decision to be taken lightly, particularly if |
| 'brave new world' of socializing, parties, and | | | | you are considering moving far from your familiar |
| events - things that most CFS/ME/PVFS | | | | home environment and studying full-time. That is |
| sufferers struggle to keep up with, if at all. | | | | not to say that it cannot be done, because it can. |
| ----- SIDE NOTE ----- | | | | But how well you manage will be largely affected |
| Alcohol for example, can play a big role in | | | | by your living and course arrangements, and the |
| socializing, especially at university. But many (if not | | | | severity of your illness. |
| most) CFS/ME/PVFS sufferers are | | | | That doesn't mean there aren't ways around it! |
| alcohol-intolerant so beware! | | | | The location of your university/college, and the |
| Check out the article below for more info: | | | | length of your course/ frequency of your classes |
| ----- SIDE NOTE ----- | | | | can all have a bearing and this is especially |
| From a personal perspective, studying with CFS | | | | relevant when you study as a CFS/ME/PVFS |
| ME/PVFS is something I'm very familiar with. I | | | | sufferer. So bear this in mind. Try to keep your |
| was diagnosed with Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome | | | | options open and don't rule out taking a term- or |
| (PVFS) in the second term of my first year at | | | | year-out, part-time study or home-study. |
| university, so most of my university-life was | | | | The second half of this article will feature in |
| spent as a PVFS sufferer. | | | | another issue of the Sleepydust E-magazine, |
| Although the PVFS wasn't nearly as bad as it is | | | | where we'll take a look at studying techniques and |
| now, I still had to battle with the brain fog, | | | | exams. |
| exhaustion, weakness and the many other | | | | To read more tips about how to manage and deal |
| dreadful symptoms that come with it. That was | | | | with your ME and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome visit: |
| in addition to the emotional stress of getting used | | | | And to learn more about working from home |
| to the illness and the restricted lifestyle it imposed | | | | when you are chronically ill or disabled, visit: |
| on me. In fact, not being able to do as much as I | | | | Copyright, Claire Williams, 2004-2005. All Rights |
| would like to is **still** something I'm trying to | | | | Reserved. |
| get used to even now! | | | | ** Publication Guidelines ** |
| Many students move away from their home to | | | | The article above may be freely reproduced |
| study further a field. And while that often can | | | | provided that: |
| make sense for a healthy individual, I think that in | | | | (1) you only mail to a 100% opt-in list; |
| some cases, the strain of living on your own/with | | | | (2) ALL links are LIVE hyperlinks |
| friends/in halls/dorms can make coping with CFS | | | | (3) the article is published in its entirety including |
| ME/PVFS even more difficult. | | | | the title, copyright notice, & the author's bio & |
| When I was a university student I lived away | | | | resource box (which must be placed directly |
| from home, firstly in halls, and then with friends. I | | | | below the article). |