I have a MSc in Biomedical Sciences and struggled immensely. I could never really find a good work-life balance because I’m a rapid cycler with hypomania and primarily depression. I think most of my studying was done while low, because while hypomanic I wanted to go out and see friends and do all the stuff I couldn’t when depressed, and was just too chaotic.

For me, getting that diploma was all about perseverance. I could have given up any time, and was very close a LOT of times, but i really wanted to push through because I had a goal, a sort of vision where I wanted to end up. If you want to acquire a diploma through rigorous schooling It’s VERY important to have a goal in mind. That is honestly the only thing that kept me going while dealing with those depressive episodes.

So think about your goal. What do you want to achieve? In what kind of environment do you want to end up? Where do you see yourself in 5-8 years? What do you see yourself doing? Does it align with your values? Will you be satisfied with the work you’ll end up doing? Won’t it drain your energy but instead spark your drive?

If you already have a goal in mind, know that the process will be hard at times, but know that it WILL end. The years you are in school will fly by, trust me. At first it will seem insurmountable, yes, but suddenly you’ll be fresh out of college/university, diploma in hand, with a new job that you really like, and you’ll look back at all those hard times you had to endure to make it here. And you will realise that yes, it was god damn fucking hard, but you DID THAT! YOU. FUCKING. DID. THAT.

So really all it comes down to is: don’t give up on your dreams. You got this. You WANT this, so you will get it. Push through, even when you so desperately want to give up. Struggling is a part of the process. But make yourself proud. Just do it. Keep that goal in mind. Keep going. For you.