3 answers
Melody
Student
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
1
Question
Asked
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How can I manage being chronically ill while attending college ?
I am a 16-year-old senior, and I have been severely chronically ill since November 2024. I've had to do online school. How do I balance this and college?
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3 answers
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1386
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Melody,
First, I want to acknowledge how much you are already carrying. Managing school while dealing with a chronic illness at 16 is not a small thing. It takes persistence, flexibility, and strength that many people may never fully see. The fact that you are still thinking about college says a lot about your determination.
The most important thing to know is that college does not have to look one certain way. Many students imagine they must attend full-time, live on campus, and move at the same pace as everyone else. That is only one version. You may do better with part-time study, online classes, hybrid learning, living at home, or a lighter course load. Success is not about speed. It is about building a path that works for your health and your future.
Start by choosing colleges that offer strong student support services. Look for schools with disability services, flexible attendance policies, counselling support, accessible housing if needed, online course options, and academic advising. These systems can make a major difference. Accommodations may include note-taking support, deadline flexibility, priority scheduling, remote attendance options, reduced course loads, or exam adjustments depending on your needs.
Energy management will likely become one of your key life skills. Instead of measuring yourself only by time, think in terms of energy. Plan important tasks during the hours when you usually feel best. Break work into smaller pieces. Rest before you crash, not only after. This approach often works better than trying to push through exhaustion.
It is also helpful to release comparison. Some classmates may take heavier schedules or seem to move faster. Their path is not your benchmark. Your job is to build a sustainable rhythm that protects your wellbeing while helping you progress. Steady progress counts. If possible, keep medical support and documentation organised before college begins. Having records, treatment plans, and clear communication with healthcare providers can make accommodation requests easier. It can also reduce stress during busy semesters.
Emotionally, give yourself room to grieve changes while still planning forward. Chronic illness can alter expectations, and it is normal to feel frustrated, sad, or uncertain. Those feelings do not mean your future is smaller. They mean you are adapting to something hard. Many students with chronic illness go on to earn degrees and build meaningful careers by taking a more personalised route.
Since you mentioned art therapy and psychology, your lived experience may one day become a strength. People who have navigated health challenges often develop empathy, patience, and insight that can deeply help others.
My honest advice: think strategy, not limitation. Choose flexible options, ask for support early, pace yourself, and define success on your own terms. College is still possible; it may simply need to be designed around your reality. You are not behind, Melody. You are learning resilience earlier than most, and that can become a powerful asset in the years ahead.
Best wishes!
First, I want to acknowledge how much you are already carrying. Managing school while dealing with a chronic illness at 16 is not a small thing. It takes persistence, flexibility, and strength that many people may never fully see. The fact that you are still thinking about college says a lot about your determination.
The most important thing to know is that college does not have to look one certain way. Many students imagine they must attend full-time, live on campus, and move at the same pace as everyone else. That is only one version. You may do better with part-time study, online classes, hybrid learning, living at home, or a lighter course load. Success is not about speed. It is about building a path that works for your health and your future.
Start by choosing colleges that offer strong student support services. Look for schools with disability services, flexible attendance policies, counselling support, accessible housing if needed, online course options, and academic advising. These systems can make a major difference. Accommodations may include note-taking support, deadline flexibility, priority scheduling, remote attendance options, reduced course loads, or exam adjustments depending on your needs.
Energy management will likely become one of your key life skills. Instead of measuring yourself only by time, think in terms of energy. Plan important tasks during the hours when you usually feel best. Break work into smaller pieces. Rest before you crash, not only after. This approach often works better than trying to push through exhaustion.
It is also helpful to release comparison. Some classmates may take heavier schedules or seem to move faster. Their path is not your benchmark. Your job is to build a sustainable rhythm that protects your wellbeing while helping you progress. Steady progress counts. If possible, keep medical support and documentation organised before college begins. Having records, treatment plans, and clear communication with healthcare providers can make accommodation requests easier. It can also reduce stress during busy semesters.
Emotionally, give yourself room to grieve changes while still planning forward. Chronic illness can alter expectations, and it is normal to feel frustrated, sad, or uncertain. Those feelings do not mean your future is smaller. They mean you are adapting to something hard. Many students with chronic illness go on to earn degrees and build meaningful careers by taking a more personalised route.
Since you mentioned art therapy and psychology, your lived experience may one day become a strength. People who have navigated health challenges often develop empathy, patience, and insight that can deeply help others.
My honest advice: think strategy, not limitation. Choose flexible options, ask for support early, pace yourself, and define success on your own terms. College is still possible; it may simply need to be designed around your reality. You are not behind, Melody. You are learning resilience earlier than most, and that can become a powerful asset in the years ahead.
Best wishes!
Thank you SO much for your thoughtful response. This means so much to me, and I am so grateful for your advice.
Melody
Maggie Weglarz
Electrical Engineer
17
Answers
Schaumburg, Illinois
Updated
Maggie’s Answer
Hi Melody -
It's definitely difficult to manage chronic illness with school. I am excited to hear that you want to pursue further education and want to find ways to make sure your body is taken care of.
Doing college online is an option, just like it was for high school. Depending on your illness management, you may also want to attend in person. Either way, I would look to see if there is a Disability Services division of the school (could also be called Accessibility Education) to see what kind of assistance they can give you. You may need to provide doctor's documentation to get an IEP or 504 plan for accommodations.
You may also be able to attend part time to be able to focus on your health and well-being.
I am happy to hear that you want to prioritize your health - this is extremely important. Best of luck!
It's definitely difficult to manage chronic illness with school. I am excited to hear that you want to pursue further education and want to find ways to make sure your body is taken care of.
Doing college online is an option, just like it was for high school. Depending on your illness management, you may also want to attend in person. Either way, I would look to see if there is a Disability Services division of the school (could also be called Accessibility Education) to see what kind of assistance they can give you. You may need to provide doctor's documentation to get an IEP or 504 plan for accommodations.
You may also be able to attend part time to be able to focus on your health and well-being.
I am happy to hear that you want to prioritize your health - this is extremely important. Best of luck!
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question! I appreciate your help!
Melody
Steve Sterner
IT Management
66
Answers
Easton, Pennsylvania
Updated
Steve’s Answer
I am sorry that you have to deal with this but I am happy to see you are dealing with this and not let it hinder you!
I have worked with a lot of young people some with various issues but most not chronic. My cousin a few years back though was having major issues that started in her last year of Middle School and while it took her 2 extra years she graduated High School high in her class and was able to go to college and graduated last year (still battling her syndrome). There were a few strategies she employed and many of us worked on with her:
1. She did not try to do it alone. If you have people to help take it. Life is hard without added challenges and everyone should understand we don't live after college by ourselves without help we should not try to go through school on your own. Support and guidance from friends, family, faculty, industry contacts, etc.
2. Be honest. Understand what your limitations are and what are challenges. There is a difference between I can't do this because I am not able and I am not sure I can do it because it is hard. It is often easy when given an out like you condition to use it to avoid things that are hard by convincing people it is impossible.
3. I am not sure of your condition by my cousin's is one she will likely face for the rest of her life so she used high school and college to prepare herself for life after. She developed strategies in school that she would take into the professional world. (Example: She needed a place to be able to give herself treatments so in High School and the College and then when she was interviewing she was honest with those she was talking to that she would need this. It started as just a room that was set aside in High School but in college it evolved to explaining to her admissions counselor and department head how she could work her schedule and studies around her treatments which prepared her when she was interviewing to be honest with those she interviewed with and they made accommodations and she made accommodations.
Everyone has challenges and it sounds like you have more than your share but instead of letting that be an excuse you are looking to work through it. I find that incredibly admirable and honestly if this was 5 years from now when you had graduated and you were interviewing with me this would be something I would absolutely take into account.
Good Luck to you in the future and I hope your health improves but no matter what the future brings I know you will be able to handle it.
I have worked with a lot of young people some with various issues but most not chronic. My cousin a few years back though was having major issues that started in her last year of Middle School and while it took her 2 extra years she graduated High School high in her class and was able to go to college and graduated last year (still battling her syndrome). There were a few strategies she employed and many of us worked on with her:
1. She did not try to do it alone. If you have people to help take it. Life is hard without added challenges and everyone should understand we don't live after college by ourselves without help we should not try to go through school on your own. Support and guidance from friends, family, faculty, industry contacts, etc.
2. Be honest. Understand what your limitations are and what are challenges. There is a difference between I can't do this because I am not able and I am not sure I can do it because it is hard. It is often easy when given an out like you condition to use it to avoid things that are hard by convincing people it is impossible.
3. I am not sure of your condition by my cousin's is one she will likely face for the rest of her life so she used high school and college to prepare herself for life after. She developed strategies in school that she would take into the professional world. (Example: She needed a place to be able to give herself treatments so in High School and the College and then when she was interviewing she was honest with those she was talking to that she would need this. It started as just a room that was set aside in High School but in college it evolved to explaining to her admissions counselor and department head how she could work her schedule and studies around her treatments which prepared her when she was interviewing to be honest with those she interviewed with and they made accommodations and she made accommodations.
Everyone has challenges and it sounds like you have more than your share but instead of letting that be an excuse you are looking to work through it. I find that incredibly admirable and honestly if this was 5 years from now when you had graduated and you were interviewing with me this would be something I would absolutely take into account.
Good Luck to you in the future and I hope your health improves but no matter what the future brings I know you will be able to handle it.
Thank you so much for your response. Thank you for sharing the experience of your cousin. This helps a LOT!
Melody