University can feel like a constant comparison of achievements. It often seems as though our peers are doing so much more. Whether it’s a full course load, achieving high grades, extracurricular involvement, or securing internships, there is always something that makes you question whether you’re doing enough.
When you’re also managing a chronic illness or disability, that pressure becomes more complicated. There will be times when the demands of university don’t align with what you’re physically or mentally capable of handling. Yet, assignment deadlines keep approaching, lectures continue, and intense academic expectations remain.
There is an unspoken presumption that students should be able to manage everything at once. Between attending lectures, completing assignments, studying for exams, working part time, and maintaining a social life, it sometimes feels like success is measured by how much you can handle without falling behind.
For a long time, I approached my education with that same mindset. I believed that if I worked hard enough, stayed organized, and pushed myself to keep up, everything would eventually fall into place. Instead, everything fell apart.
Getting back on track
How did I get back on track? I reached out for help. As simple as that might sound, seeking support was arguably the most difficult part of my experience. I kept trying to convince myself that I could catch up, that I simply needed to work harder, or that things would eventually improve on their own.
I have always taken pride in my ability to handle and conquer any challenges independently. Unfortunately, as human beings, we are sometimes given challenges that we can’t overcome on our own. Coming to terms with that was an important part of learning how to navigate academic success with a disability.
Reaching Out for help
What does reaching out for help look like? The first step is acknowledging that you need support. It’s not about giving up on your education or accepting that you aren’t capable of succeeding. It is about recognizing that the way you have been approaching university isn’t working for you anymore.
Reaching out can look different for everyone. It might mean sending an email to a professor explaining that you’re struggling, booking an appointment with an academic advisor to discuss your options, or contacting your university’s accessibility’s office to learn about available accommodations.
Of course, reaching out for help doesn’t mean that everything suddenly falls into place. There’s still a process to navigate, conversations to have, and responsibilities to manage. But taking that first big step can make an enormous difference, especially when the alternative is continuing to struggle in silence.
Communicate with your professors. It might seem scary and, in the back of your mind, maybe you’re thinking my professor is not going to want to help me. Why would they care? But you would be surprised by how understanding and accommodating some professors can be when you take the initiative to reach out. Professors are people too, and while they have academic expectations and deadlines to uphold, many genuinely want to see their students succeed. Sometimes all it takes is that first email, explaining your situation (you do not have to go into detail), and asking what options are available to you or how they can work with you to better understand material. Of course, not every professor will respond the same way, and reaching out doesn’t guarantee an extension or the outcome you’re hoping for. However, communicating your circumstances gives you an opportunity to explore solutions rather than assuming there aren’t any.
is everything going to be perfect now?
Now in my final year of university I have learned so many different strategies to help me stay organized. I have become more aware of what works for me academically and, perhaps more importantly, what doesn’t. I’ve learned to give myself more time to complete certain tasks, plan around my needs, and recognize when I might need additional support.
Does this mean I have everything figured out? Absolutely not. I don’t think it’s possible for anyone to actually have everything figured out, especially at a stage where we are continuously learning and our lives are constantly changing. There have been times where I have fallen behind or missed a deadline, but the difference is that now I know how to navigate those situations instead of allowing them to overwhelm me. Most importantly, I’ve learned that experiencing a setback doesn’t mean I’m incapable of doing well academically.
Asking for help does not diminish independence and receiving accommodations does not invalidate hard work. Accessibility is not a perfect or universal experience. What works for one student may not work for another, which is why conversations about academic accessibility need to happen more often.
I think many students are reluctant to speak openly about navigating university with a disability, largely because of the stigma surrounding accessibility and the fear of being judged or excluded by their peers. However, the more we normalize these conversations, the more we can challenge the misconception that needing additional support somehow makes someone less capable of succeeding. Every student deserves the opportunity to pursue their education without feeling like they have to justify the circumstances under which they learn best.
Academic success isn’t one-size-fits all, and the support you need to achieve it shouldn’t have to be either.