Thinking about college? 5 Tips for the BPD Student – Guest Post by Lauren

studying (Photo credit: English106)

Going to college or University is an exciting and scary time for any student, if you have BPD the anxieties can be even greater. Lauren shares five tips to help those with BPD make the transition a little easier…

Higher education is the foundation of many fruitful careers; however, it is also a time of great instability for students. College students are especially prone to undergoing identity crises as assimilating to a new culture carries added social pressures to a competitive academic environment. Although this can be challenging for the average student, for a student with BPD, these factors can be debilitating and even devastating.

1.      Find a supportive college campus

Because people with BPD are vulnerable to stressful situations, transitioning into an independent lifestyle can be especially hazardous. However, most people with BPD will be relieved to find that many college campuses offer support to students who are coping with mental health issues.

The University of Washington in Seattle has one of the leading behavioral research and therapy clinics dedicated to researching BPD. Students can receive dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in individualized and group sessions.

2.      Don’t indulge in a party atmosphere.

All students are prone to overindulge from time-to-time, but for a student with BPD, indulgent behavior can often reach self-destructive proportions, especially when drugs and alcohol are involved. Colleges with strict conduct codes or single-sex admittance policies may be solutions for students who are uncertain they can keep their impulses in check.

3.      Stay in therapy.

College is an exciting time, and all newly independent teens and young adults look forward to meeting new people and exploring the world. A student with BPD will need to continue visit a therapist during college years to help manage new relationships and perspectives. With so many new relationships, it is important for the BPD to have a trustworthy adviser who understands his or her unique condition.

4.      Work on DBT daily

In addition to regular visits to a therapist, students with BPD will need to begin assuming responsibility for their own treatment goals and daily initiatives. A young adult who is unprepared to strive for his own wellness is ill-suited for independence and may begin to miss therapy and engage in self-destructive behaviors. However, DBT doesn’t have to be a drag. There are some great apps out there that BPD students can use discreetly and easily to manage emotions and crisis situations.

5.      Consider online classes

For BPD students who have a strong support system at home, online classes may be a good alternative to campus life. At the very least, online classes can serve as a starting point; and for some BPD non-traditional students, online classes could be a way to work toward a new career. Online classes may also be ideal for some BPD students because the detached socialization of e-learning eliminates the distraction of volatile relationships.

Lauren Bailey is a freelance blogger for bestcollegesonline.com. She loves writing about education, writing, and health. She welcomes comments and questions via email at blauren 99 @gmail.com.

Are you at college/uni and have BPD? 

What tips would you share that help you cope with higher education?

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