For College Students
Suggestions and Examples of Supports from College Students with a BPD Diagnosis
Ask if your college Office of Disabilities has a “Disability Related and Excused Absence Deadline Extensions” agreement. It is a “preplan” contract which the student completes and signs with the Office of Disabilities about what will be done should their disability impact attendance or a deadline. It clarifies who the student should notify, the allowed number of absences due to disability, the time allotted for missed assignments due to disability, etc.
“My accommodations for BPD as a disability relate to flexible attendance and deadlines when my symptoms are at a peak or interfere. This makes college more accessible and allows me to get the most out of my learning experience.”
“If I miss class due to disability, I simply email the professor and disability services to notify them. For example, if I miss a class when an assignment is due, then I turn it in later based on what the professor wrote on the form, with no penalty. If it is a class that has attendance points, and I miss a class or two due to my disability, I do not lose points. I can also freely discuss with the professor an alternate due date if I absolutely needed to.”
“Sometimes symptoms and circumstances, such as sudden relapse, or hospitalization, may severely impact my ability to drive to class, participate, or meet deadlines. In these instances, I know attending class will be detrimental to my health and worsen symptoms. The contract with the Office of Disabilities helps remove the additional barrier and pressure of “pretending” everything is “fine.” I feel more free to reach out when needed, so I do not overextend myself and feel pressured to ignore warning signs until it results in worsening symptoms.”
Accommodations which May Support a Student with BPD Disability
Extended testing time in a separate room. This can reduce distractibility, attention span, focus, thoughts, symptoms of paranoia, suicidal thoughts, and self-injury. Emotions and thoughts can severely impact judgement, problem solving, and performance.
Being allowed “break times” to step out of the class in moments of heightened emotion or triggers. This accommodation may help those struggling with BPD cope with impulses and sudden intense emotions. They can practice coping skills outside the classroom and return after a few minutes when the feeling subsides.
Establish a safe space in the school to go if additional time is needed to manage escalated emotions. This could be a counseling center, guidance counselor’s office, the office of disabilities services, or another previously agreed upon space. It may be helpful if there are professionals or adults present in the designated space for support.
“If I am suddenly triggered from content or an interaction, I may go for a small walk until the peak of my emotion subsides before returning to class, or I may need to remove myself from the situation.”
Ask Professors to provide trigger warnings for sensitive topics. Professors should give advance notice for material, discussions, or videos that may contain content such as assault, natural disasters, traumas, or suicide. Those impacted by BPD may be upset by such discussions or materials. They need to plan ahead for how to address them in a classroom setting, or talk to the teacher ahead of time about how to handle the assignments.
Inquire about Academic Support Opportunities. At some college the Office of Disabilities offers (either free or at a cost) academic support, such as tutors, or learning disability specialists, to explain assignments or support those with disabilities. These services are often availability, but those with BPD have to seek them out and take advantage of extra academic support services that the college offers.
Communicate directly with professors about accommodations needs for class participation. Some individuals impacted by BPD find it helpful to communicate directly with individual professors about their social anxiety speaking in the classroom, or participating in group projects. Sometimes, individual professors will accommodate students with disabilities by allowing them to discuss class topics with them privately via email instead of in class, so that the participation part of the grade is not affected.
“Receiving accommodations for my disabilities and disorders, including BPD, has helped provide a structured, accessible, and supportive learning experience. In part due to my accommodations, I have found college to be a wonderful and enjoyable experience.” – College student impacted by BPD
Emotional-Support Animals on Campus. Explore school guidelines for emotional support animals and consider if this might be an appropriate option for you. Some individuals with BPD report emotional support animals have been helpful to their recovery.
“Receiving accommodations for my disabilities and disorders, including BPD, has helped provide a structured, accessible, and supportive learning experience. In part due to my accommodations, I have found college to be a wonderful and enjoyable experience.” – College student impacted by BPD
