5 Important People for Surviving College after You’ve Survived Cancer

Meet Jen Anand. Every week Jen will be providing a new tip or two on approaching life during and after cancer to help inspire others. Jen was diagnosis with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in January 2012, followed by chemotherapy and radiation treatments for 8 months. Jen is now a survivor and just celebrated her 5 year anniversary this year as cancer free!

Three years ago I attended a session called Navigating College and Cancer at CancerCon  presented by Michele Rosenthal, Director, Academic Advising and Learner Success at Northeastern University College of Professional Studies.  Michele is an experienced college and cancer coach – check out her LinkedIn page by clicking here.

I was looking for tips that could help me in my college journey, but was shocked to find that I was already doing everything the Michele recommended!

Here are the five people most important to your success in college (in no particular order)

1. Office of Accessibility (OA)
First, let me take a moment and brag on what an absolutely incredible OA the University of Akron has!! Granted, my dad dragged me in the first time I ever went there, but from then on they are like my ever-ready back-up troops, just waiting for me to use!  The people there are always extremely kind, and go out of their way to help me.
But, back on track. I had no idea what an OA could do. So in case you have no idea, let me tell you!

First, there is a disability specialist.  He or she is your go-to point person. I send my specialist all my latest doctor letters and information, which she keeps on file.  When I’m sick, I just let her know I’m in the hospital, or whatever the situation, then she informs all my professors.  This really saves a lot of time and hassle for me when I’m not well. Any questions/problems/issues are all worked through with her!

Accommodations: So my disability specialist helped me sort out my accommodations.  It was deemed that I needed 50% extra time on tests, because of my neuropathy and chemo brain.  Because of my neuorpathy, I’ve also been able to type instead of hand write tests with heavy writing portions.  I’ve also utilized the switching classrooms accommodation, so I didn’t have to walk as far between classes.  Another useful one for me was the alternative textbook format.  Textbooks can be quite heavy! The OA has most of the college textbooks on file in PDFs, that they can send you to use, so you don’t have to lug a textbook around.  If they don’t have it on file, they’ll scan your book for you! There are so many different accommodations offered- these are just the main ones I’ve used!

Don’t be ashamed or embarrassed to utilize these.  It was really hard for me to accept that I needed the extra test time and the help, but it has really helped me through school.

2. Dean’s Office
Make yourself known to your dean! For me, this was the Dean of the Honors College, and eventually the Dean of Engineering.  As big and scary as some deans can seem, they are all there trying to promote the welfare and success of their students.  Just stop by, explain your situation, and let hem know that you are trying your best in college!

My relationship with Dean Mugler of Honors really helped me when I relapsed.  He put all my scholarship on hold while I was out of school, and send the various student groups to visit me! His office also sent me a beautiful card every week.  The engineering Dean’s office was also a huge help in getting me into classes I needed, because I was off schedule with the rest of my class.
One of the biggest helps from all the Dean’s Offices has been the emotional support they’ve provided. I received numerous cards from them when I was in school, and they helped me obtain many scholarships as well.  Just this last semester, I had to have a CT for some things, and received so many encouraging emails and words of support as I waited for the scan results.  Being surrounded by people who care about you, and are looking out for you- I can’t begin to explain how much that helps me.

3. Professors
Let your professor know your situation.  I’ve heard both sides of this argument, but my advice is to tell them right at the beginning.  This doesn’t mean you’re going to get special treatment- believe me, I haven’t! What it does do is help them understand when you need to miss a class, or reschedule a test.  I always wait till the 2nd class (to make sure I’m still going to take the class, and also everyone wants to talk to the professor the 1st class :[ ) then I give them a letter from my doctor (to be spoken about later) and explain my 50% time accommodation.  I’ll then touch base with them before a test, as some like me to take the test in their office, others with the class and then finish the test in their office, and some in the OA.

One of my professors stopped me after class and asked me in depth about my cancer.  I was on high-dose steroids in her class, and it helped her understand why I was fidgety, had trouble concentrating, and sometimes didn’t make it to class.  Another professor suggested I take an incomplete in the class- this just meant I could take the final later than the rest of the class, which allowed me more time to study, and also resulted in me being less stressed!

4. Doctors and your medical staff
You already know they’re your best friends.  Use them.  My social worker wrote me a doctor letter that I give to all my professors.  It has a really brief medical history, and also outlines that they (the doctors) recommend that I stay hydrated and eat during the day, and also may need to rest through the day.  It lets the professors know that I’m not making this up!

Also, if you are ever admitted, or have appointments, try to get a doctors letter and give to your professors.  It builds your credibility, while also showing that you’re still dealing with stuff medically!

5. You
You know who you used to be pre-cancer. Don’t let yourself get in your way.  It was/is so easy to get discouraged in college.  It’s really tough for kids who haven’t had cancer! You will be busy and stressed and tired.  You’ll also be trying so hard not to get the cold that’s going around the dorms. And trying to get enough sleep. While still being as involved in normal college living.  It’s a really tough balance. You may have to readjust your grade expectations.  You may have to learn where all the elevators on campus are.  You may have to ask your friends to carry your books. Or take notes for you when you don’t make it to class.

Learn about the new you.  And don’t hate that new person. That was my biggest mistake.  I tried to be the pre-cancer me, with all the grades, and activities and the put-together life.  And I got so discouraged when I failed miserably.  But that’s not who I am.  I am the post-cancer Jennifer. Chemobrain is real.  Classes are extremely hard.  The cold weather means I’m going to have an exhausting cough till April.

Find what works for you.  I found my brain couldn’t process a 3 hour long final.  I finally learned to ask professors if I could split the final, and they all agreed.  And my grades went up a bit.  I found that I need to be involved with people, to help me balance my academics.  And I needed to have a highly organized schedule because I didn’t have the strength to pull all-nighters or the memory to do my assignments on time!

Give yourself some credit. Honestly, that’s been my biggest struggle.  I was always afraid giving myself credit meant being a proud peacock.  It doesn’t.  It means you have overcome impossible odds, and are still pushing through.  I’ve finally learnt to be proud in what I’ve accomplished.  I’m going to graduate in 4 months.  It’s been 9 very hard and long semesters so far, and now I only have 1 left!

Lastly, find your people.  This summer I watched Grey’s Anatomy, and my favorite phrase from that is “You’re my person”.  Find your person.  Find the one that you can call and cry with, or call and celebrate with.  That will pray for you, and support you, and encourage you.  The ones that will tease you and make fun of the way you talk. And will include you in their lunches.  And will ask if you’re doing OK.

Because you absolutely cannot do college on your own.

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