I'm a second year PhD at UT-Austin, which means I've been a college student for eight years. Jeez.
* Do you think your IBS is caused by stress?
I think it is definitely made worse by stress. Not only because of the stress itself, but the other behaviors that go with it- drinking more, sleeping less, not exercising due to lack of time, etc.
* Do your symptoms get worse around the time of midterms or finals?
My symptoms don't really get worse. I maintain a constant extremely high stress level.
* What kinds of foods can you make/eat at school? (Super easy, cheap recipes that can be made in the dorm would be a plus!)
I used to make vegetable soup in my electric kettle with low sodium veggie broth and a tiny can of mixed veggies. It was good and safe.
* Have you explained your condition to roommates and friends?
Yes- I had to do this throughout college.
* Do you ever drink alcohol or caffeine? (two popular college substances)
Yes to both. I shouldn't, but it's a major part of grad student culture and I have to get up at 5:30 in the morning. I don't binge drink like undergrads do though.
* How has IBS affected your social life at school?
I never partied as much because the consequences would have been much worse for me. I was also careful about mealtimes and making sure I ate at regular intervals. I could never do late nights because that made my IBS upset.
* How has IBS affected your school work/GPA?
Not at all. I work very very hard and maintain a 4.0 GPA.
* Have you explained your IBS to your professors?
Yes. It seems like half of our department has gastro related issues.
* Have you ever considered (or have) droppped out of school due to IBS?
Nope.
* Have you used any college resources to help you with your IBS?(Student Health, Counseling Center, Disability Support Services, Yoga classes at the school gym, etc.)
Yes. I've been to Student Health at the school I did my masters at because they had a gastroenterologist. And the counseling center when I needed to learn relaxation exercises to help me with stress levels during my masters.
* Any other anecdotes relating to college and IBS
Sophomore year I moved out of the dorms because the cafeteria food was so bad for me it was making me constantly sick- to the point where I just stopped eating because that would be easier. I had to file a petition to move and got my counselor at the health center to write a letter explaining the necessity of me living off campus. I met with the food service people a bunch, but it just never got better. It was much better once I got off campus and had a kitchen and could make my own food.
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