While you are at home, your life with epilepsy is easily manageable with specific routines and timely medications; you may also get necessary support from your friends and family whenever you needed. But when you go to university, where you need to live independently, it is crucial for you to manage your epilepsy differently.
Keeping in mind and understanding how your epilepsy affects your life may help you to boost your self-confidence about ways on how to deal with your epilepsy at university. It also gives you a chance to see that you have the necessary support and help in place before beginning your first semester in the university.
Read Also: University Life and Epilepsy – How to Plan your Living Accommodation?
Things to Think Before Going to University
Before you go to university, there are few important things that you should think about such as:
- What is the prescribed time of taking your medication? Will this be in-sync with your lifestyle at university?
- Will a pill box or an advanced medication reminder will be essential for you to help you keep track or remember specific timings of taking your medication?
- From where will you get your medication? Is there any pharmacy store near the university campus that keeps anti-epileptic drugs?
- Should you communicate about your epilepsy problem to other people? You may find it awkward to tell about your seizures to everyone, but it is advised that you should always tell your new friends or roommates about your epilepsy, so that they are well-aware of your health condition and help you during and after a seizure attack.
- Would it be okay to wear medical bracelet or carry an identification card that helps people know that you are epileptic and what to do if you suddenly have a seizure?
- Do you maintain a seizure diary – to record the duration and symptoms of your seizure events?
- Do you have a cell phone to contact other people or to use in an emergency?
- Would using a journal or diary can assist you keeping track of your project deadlines, work and social life? Many cell phones or tablets that have notes, reminders or notes that might serve the purpose.
- You might also need to think about things such as social activities, dating, drugs or drinking. These are some of the common evils of university life.
Know Your ‘Seizure-Triggers’
Apart from the list above, think about your seizure triggers. Some people with epilepsy experience seizures at certain situations. These might include:
- Fatigue or excessive tiredness
- Mental and physical stress
- Forgetting to take epilepsy medication
If you are familiar with the triggers that cause seizures, you may be able to avoid such situations and reduce your chances of having a seizure. Keeping a track of your seizure activities in a diary or maintaining a seizure journal may also help you know your particular seizure triggers. Eating well and getting enough sleep often helps!
See What Necessary Help Is Available
No matter in what ways epilepsy affects you, it is recommended that you talk about it. Talking to your instructors means they exactly know what to expect and in what ways and means they can support you.
Get the help of student disability service to find out about necessary help and support available for you. This might involve a Disabled Student Allowance or some financial support. So communicate about your epilepsy, because that’s the only way the university and your new friends can help you.