Navigating Unexpected Health Issues in College
This article will outline some options and hopefully help you make a plan and best utilize the resources available to help you get the most out of your education while still caring for your health.
By Mari Whitmore — April 3, 2023
As a college student, you likely have a variety of ideals and expectations for your time in higher education and probably have a list of goals you're excited to achieve. Whatever your vision of your college experience is, it probably doesn't include navigating an unexpected health issue in college. Accidents, injuries, or illnesses can happen to anyone. If you do encounter an unexpected health issue while in college, there are a variety of choices you might have to make. This article will outline some options and hopefully help you make a plan and best utilize the resources available to help you get the most out of your education while still caring for your health.
Consider the Possibilities
If you're dealing with a health issue in college, it might be helpful to identify what category your case falls into. Were you injured in a car accident? Diagnosed with a chronic illness? Experiencing a mental health matter? Did you get hurt while playing sports or performing another activity? How you manage all of these situations may differ, so knowing which problem (or combination of problems) you're facing will help you plan to handle them.
If you're not currently dealing with any health issues, it's good to be aware of the resources available to you in case anything should arise. Awareness does not mean that you should live in constant anxiety, but rather that you should stay informed of things like your health insurance situation and information, where the closest hospital or medical center is to your campus and local emergency numbers.
You can also practice situational awareness and safety tips to help yourself stay safe. Always drive carefully, pay attention to traffic when walking or riding a bicycle, and never drive under the influence of alcohol or other substances. You can also keep an eye on your friends by encouraging them to follow safety tips, checking in with them on their mental health, and ensuring they're staying safe around campus and at events like parties.
Address the Root Issue
With some unexpected health issues, addressing the root cause of the problem may be blatantly obvious. For example, if you break your leg while playing intramural soccer on campus, you'll probably be taken to the local hospital or health clinic, wearing a cast, and walking with crutches before you've even had time to consider whether your injury will impact your classes and plans for the upcoming weeks. In a case such as this, the root issue is diagnosable. However, many health issues don't manifest themselves so clearly. Some injuries, such as concussions, may not be clearly evident at first and will only start having an effect hours or even days later. And many health issues, such as Lyme disease, may increase in severity over time. Something that first manifests as “just a cold” that won't go away or prolonged periods of extreme fatigue could actually be a more serious or even chronic health problem.
Practice Self-Awareness
If you're consistently feeling unwell, it can be difficult to recognize whether you're just stressed from studying and your busy schedule or whether something deeper is going on with your health. If you're concerned something is going on, check in with yourself regularly. If you're having trouble judging whether something is a recent or unusual development, consider checking in with your parents and friends to see if they can help you identify any changes in your energy levels and behavior so that you should get checked out. Don't be afraid to seek medical advice as well.
As a student, you may be living alone for the first time and unfamiliar with navigating the medical system by yourself. Despite your nervousness, don't be afraid to reach out. Your campus may even have a medical center you can visit to get the process started in figuring out what is going on with your health. Make sure you have your insurance information up to date, and bring your ID and insurance card or documentation with you to the doctor to get the billing sorted out right away.
Speak Up
While you will need to get in touch with medical professionals to sort out your health issues, you may need to connect with other resources to help your college experience continue to progress smoothly. If you've been injured or are ill, you may not be able to attend classes for a time or may need to request accommodations or extensions for certain class projects or assignments. Explaining a health issue to your professors may be the last thing you want to do when you're not feeling like your normal self, but your professors won't know how to help you succeed unless you reach out and fill them in.
If you get a concussion while playing sports, you might need to inform your professors that you may have trouble focusing in class and on assignments while your brain injury heals. Or if you are diagnosed with a chronic illness, you may not be able to keep up with the same amount of studying and classes you could before. Only you can truly know what you're capable of handling as a student, so be sure to keep communicating with your medical care team, faculty, and campus staff. Follow the guidance of your doctor, and request notes and documentation to share with your professors to keep them up to date on your health situation. Look into resources available on campus, such as the disability office or student life, if you feel that you could benefit from the support of an outside advocate.
Assess Next Steps
If you are dealing with a serious health issue as a student, you may not be able to maintain the learning pace you originally planned. While it is always frustrating to consider slowing down, it may be necessary to prioritize your health, even if some aspects of your education must subsequently be postponed. Talk with a guidance counselor and your professors to see what accommodations can be made, but be willing to acknowledge that you can't always do everything. You may need to complete your education more slowly than you would like.
You may be able to get by via dropping a class or two, or you could consider taking a semester or more time off to focus on healing. Depending on your classes, you may also be able to study remotely and live at home. Work to maintain your mental health, as coping with chronic health issues or injuries can take their toll on your mental health and contribute to depression and anxiety. Keep up with your support network, such as friends, family, mentors, and classmates, and take each new difficulty as it arises. Assess your educational situation in light of your new health situation, and be gentle with yourself as you navigate this challenging experience.
Mari Whitmore
Mari Whitmore recently graduated from a tiny private college in the middle of beautiful Wyoming. She spends her time traveling, adventuring in nature, writing, and working as a barista and bartender. Recently, Mari relocated to the gorgeous hill country of Central Texas. In her free time, she loves to hike, paddleboard, read, paint, watch movies, and gather with friends and family.
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