3 Ways for An Easy Transition to College While Battling Epilepsy

Fresh off my graduation from college last year, I know that kids with epilepsy worry about the transition to college. Whether you’re planning on going away or staying home, college is an experience like no other. Lessons will be learned and lifelong friends will be made. I hope you benefit from my experiences, and the transition tips!

After my three-hour car ride, I finally set foot at my new home for the next four years. The emotions running through me were crazy; anxious, excited, nervous and so much more. The thing about college is that everyone is starting in the same boat. We may have one or two friends from back home, but other than that we are all starting from scratch. The transition from high school to college may seem intimidating, but if you take it a few steps at a time you will be on your way to the best four years of your life!

Get Involved:

Your parents are going to tell you this over and over before you leave. But as much as you may hate to hear this, they are right! Colleges have so much to offer these days. I got involved in our entrepreneurship club, American Marketing Association, and the Collegiate Leadership Competition. I encourage all of you to find something that you’re passionate about and see if your college offers a club related to it. Don’t go to overboard on this because the work load is quite different from high school (you’ll find that out quick)! Sports, clubs, fraternities and sororities are great ways to meet new people and find the right friend group to hang out with!

Tell Your Friends About Your Epilepsy:

You may not want to hear this, but you will need to do it sooner or later. The sooner you do it the more comfortable you will get at college. Your friends will understand your situation better and be more protective of you when something may happen. Remember these people are your friends and they care about you. Telling them about your seizures won’t affect your friendship. All my friends and even professors know about my seizures. If anything happened, I had people who would help me because they cared about me. When I had seizure activity at night, I had friends who let me stay with them in their room. I know it may seem scary, but it’s a relief when you tell your friends about your situation.

Go Out!:

Once you have found the right friend group, make sure you find time to go out and enjoy yourself! You’ll be working for the rest of your life, so why not have fun now? This doesn’t mean getting drunk every weekend. Throughout my four years, I never had a drink while out at bars with my friends. Quite frankly, it’s better not having to pay for drinks! Exploring the city with my friends gave us memories that we sure will never forget! Be a good student, but also LIVE IT UP!