missing test due to mental illness- advice please

I am sorry that you are going through this! I have mental health issues (Bipolar and ADHD). I know that it's difficult. However, I am not a student. So, I might not be able to give you good information from the perspective of a student. I am an instructor and a Ph.D. candidate. I teach undergrads. So, I would share my suggestions based on my experience as a faculty.

First, talk to DRC about it.

Second, email the Prof ASAP about the missed exams. When students with mental health issues contact me at the end of the semester after missing 80% of their assignments, I can't help them. Because I have a deadline to submit students' grades to the department. If a student has already missed the maximum portion of the coursework, how will they compensate for that in the 1 or 2 weeks of the semester? The sooner you contact the Professor, the sooner she will be able to think of alternative options to accommodate you.

Third, it depends on the Professor's personality as well. I am lenient with students when it comes to mental health accommodations. Because I suffer from the same issue daily. But some Professors might be more strict with deadlines. And that's ok, too.

Fourth, when you are asking for her help, be reasonable and respectful. I am ok with giving extensions for assignments or exams. But I don't like when my students try to shift the blame on me or act entitled. "The assignment was too long"/ "Why would you take off points for late submissions? That's unfair."/ "I will appeal against you." I have heard it all.

Finally, I wish that I could get some leniency from students, too. One of the students had mental health issues and I accommodated her. But in the evaluation, she wrote, "This Professor needs to get fired. The assignments are too long"! As a teacher with mental health issues, I struggle every day to show up to class and teach. I try to be kind. Sometimes, it helps the student. Sometimes, it backfires.

/r/college Thread