Handbook for Students with Chronic Health Conditions

I originally wanted to title this article “How to Manage POTS Symptoms as a College Student.” However, the truth is that my diagnosis has been a rollercoaster, one I’m still riding. 

From endocrinologist appointments to passing out while shadowing a doctor to suddenly having two full weeks booked with cardiology visits, my health journey hasn’t followed a predictable path. What I thought would be a straightforward answer has turned into uncertainty, frustration, and a lot of emotional exhaustion.  

If you’re a college student dealing with health complications, whether you have a diagnosis, are searching for one, or are managing symptoms without answers, this is for you. Here’s what I’ve learned so far about surviving (because some days, that’s all we can ask for) while managing classes, a social life, and your health. 

Listen to YOUR Body

College culture glorifies pushing through exhaustion. “Ideals” such as no sleep, lack of nutrition, and being fueled by caffeine are treated as “the college experience.” However, when your body is already struggling, ignoring it can make things worse by allowing symptoms to bleed into every part of your life. Dizziness, extreme fatigue, brain fog, and nausea are all warning signs you need to listen to. Despite what those around you might say, you do not need to “power through.” You are allowed to prioritize your health, even when it’s inconvenient. 

Nobody truly knows what you are dealing with internally except for you, not TikTok, not ChatGPT, not even people with the same diagnosis. When I was originally told I might have POTS, I searched the internet for answers. I soon realized that just because something works for one person does not mean it will definitely work for you. As frustrating as it is, listen to your doctor and figure out what works for you. Even if that means trial and error, and then more error. 

Healthy Diet

As a college student, it’s incredibly easy to let diet fall to the bottom of the priority list. When you’re busy, stressed, nauseous, or lightheaded, eating can feel like another chore, especially when time and money are limited. 

Eating consistently matters more than you think—even if meals are small. Food fuels your already struggling body, so don’t let it suffer even more, and the same goes for hydration. Drinking enough water (and electrolytes, if needed) can make a noticeable difference in how you feel throughout the day and your overall health.

Sleep

I don’t want to sound like your doctor, but maybe hearing it from another college student will help. Sleep impacts everything from mood to symptoms to concentration to how your body will function. 

While I’m not saying you need to get eight perfect hours of sleep every night, it is important to prioritize your night routine. In college, nights are often treated as productivity time. However, rest is productive. Without enough sleep, your work suffers, and so does your health. When you’re dealing with health complications, diagnosed or not, your body is already working overtime. It needs more recovery than the people around you, and that doesn’t make you weak. 

Support System

You don’t need to tell everyone your medical history, but having a few people who understand is essential. I am fortunate enough to have my mom, who went through similar health issues (if you have a good relationship with your parents, talk to them; many health conditions are genetic). I also had the support of my boyfriend, roommates, and friends. Since I could have passed out in class, I was also open with my professors. 

Whether or not you want to share details, it is helpful to let those around you know that you are going through some health problems. You deserve people who don’t pressure you to push through and who understand when you need to step back. Asking for accommodations can feel uncomfortable, but they exist for a reason. Advocating for yourself isn’t asking for special treatment; it’s asking for fairness. 

Coping with Health Problems

Managing health complications in college isn’t just physically draining; it’s emotionally exhausting. 

There’s grief in missing out, frustration in not having answers, fear of not knowing what your body will do next, and sometimes, there’s guilt for feeling like a burden or falling behind. 

Some things that have helped me cope: 

• Letting myself feel disappointed without minimizing it 

• Journaling through worries instead of suppressing them 

• Celebrating small wins 

• Reminding myself that healing isn’t linear 

You are allowed to mourn the version of college you thought you’d have, while still building one that works for you. 

If you’re also navigating health complications as a college student, know this: you are not alone, and you are not weak; you are adapting. 

Your journey may look different from the people around you, but your body is putting you through more than the average person. Give yourself grace, advocate for your needs, and remember that taking care of your health is one of the strongest things you can do. 

• advice
• body
• college
• college culture
• coping
• diagnosis
• diet
• food
• health
• health complications
• illness
• sleep
• struggles
• Support