(former) students come here, first day of a course. need advice

today my question is: how do you handle your first day when you meet new people?

I'm explaining better:

on monday I'm beginning a course... A little background on me, I'm having crohn from about 10 years and this is the very first time when I'm going to do something where I'll have to meet brand new people and professors. I will be there all mornings until the summer, so I won't be able for sure to hide my condition and also this is not what I'd like to do (as it could be a stressor and I don't want to be stressed just to enjoy the course and staying with new (hopefully) friends and people to know; I feel I'd be more confident if they know I have this problem, rather than try to pretend I'm "normal" when in fact I'm not. also, my concern is, during the lectures, I will need to take a stop and going to the bathroom, and it could be difficult when you know it happens you have few seconds for going there (hope it won't happen but who knows?)...

so how is your experience in explaining your condition to new people, possibly in a situation like this? how do you approach new groups of people you meet? my concern is they won't understand me and to happen to seem pathetic or least that they think I'd better stay at home.

I fought to be allowed there, and I also needed analysis cause I wasn't able just to think about handling that situations, and this let me stay at home without a job in the past nine years. I just needed to break that vicious cycle, and this course will help me, but now that I'm just two days far from it I'm beginning to be nervous about this and to fear I won't be able to manage this.

but, for sure, I know there are million boys and young people who had crohn before they finished their studies, so they had to handle this, and so, please tell me how you've done on your first day in a course. thanks

yes, kazbern, I still don't know the median age of my collegues but we are all adults for sure; could happen I'm one of the oldest at the age of 30 but that's not a problem.
I already thought about the fact of missing something, I'm waiting to realize how the classes are structured, but this will be easy to handle I suppose as there are plenty of ways to stay there when you miss something. and for sure I'll try to warn my professors as soon as possible about it.

I felt i needed some practical advice in how you handle you knowing new people, new collegues and so on. you hide that feeling they could not notice it, or it could be worse if you "admit" your weakness until they won't know you better, or just don't care or prefer let them be aware of your small needs?

thanks for your compliments :)

thanks bane.

I've spent 8 of my almost 9 years of Crohn's in school. I've done everything from not telling anyone and just pretending I'd eaten something bad and it made me sick, to being completely open about it. For the most part, people are not overly concerned with how sick you are or what you're doing unless it directly effects them. Honestly, the only real time they'd be aggrevated with you being sick is if you're working on a group project and were unable to do your portion of it.

I think it depends on how comfortable you are with your disease. I would explain things to the professor, in case you might be missing classes or leaving a lot for bathroom trips. They are usually extremely understanding. With classmates, I would tell people you get to know and trust. Let people you know see YOU and not see the disease. People are remarkably understanding (and will almost never view you as weak). I usually get the opposite, "wow, can't believe you're doing this." or "wow, you're awesome for dealing with the disease and real life."

Fact of the matter is, you fought for some sort of normalcy outside of the disease. You don't have to let this disease flow over into your school life. Take some time and let yourself enjoy some time away from the disease. Just talk to your professor and enjoy your class!

I'm currently a student- and here's my advice...get in touch with the school's disabilities department. If you register with them, they can send a letter to your professor in advance and explain your disease to them and also make them aware of any accommodations you might need. That includes flexibility with the prof's attendance policy or frequent bathroom trips during lectures. Most profs are extremely accommodating, but they can't completely let you off unless you're registered with the disabilities department. Good luck with your class and I hope you throughly enjoy it!

Just curious - is this one long course that takes 3-4 hours in the morning, or multiple separate courses, like about an hour with breaks in between.

I was diagnosed my freshman year in high school, and missed 3 weeks due to hospitalization. So, when I came back, most the teachers already knew what was going on and I didn't have problems with bathroom breaks.

College - I don't recall telling any of my teachers, but the longest class I had was 2 hours. I always tried to go before class, but still had to leave occassionally during a class. I just made it a point to not sit in the front, and slip out and in quietly. Obviously, this varies by type of class and class activity and frequency of the trips you need to take. If I knew that I would have to go at least once each class, I would have probably discussed my issues with the various teachers.

Try to position yourself near the exit so you can exit without disrupting the class. If it doesn't risk your employment possibilities then be open about your illness with the presenters and anyone else you chose. Scope out restrooms that you can use during breaks since many will likely be using them and you might have to wait. Relax as much as you can. I Hope you do well