Returning to education

Introduction

This big step can feel exciting but also daunting, especially if you’ve been away for a long time. However, preparing for your return will really help. Although it might be tough, it’s important that you tell your teachers about your condition so that they can support your needs. If you don't tell them, it can be difficult for them to help you.

Planning your return

Going back to education following your stem cell transplant does not necessarily mean you should begin full-time studies straight away. Your transplant team will help you decide when it’s OK to return. Your recovery is a gradual process, so ease yourself into it slowly. You may be able to do some work at home or attend part-time. Try to build up your workload slowly, so you don’t feel overwhelmed.

Breaking the ice

You might not have been able to see your close friends very often during your recovery, either because you were too far away, you chose not to or because they weren’t sure what to say. It’s also possible that your appearance has changed since you were in school or college. To make yourself feel more comfortable, you could organise to go out with your friends for a catch up before you return. If you don’t feel up to that, invite them to your home for a chat.

Take this opportunity to tell them as much, or as little, about what you are going through as you feel comfortable with. They might have questions about things they are unsure about as well – our webpage My friend is having a stem cell transplant will help.

Talking to your teachers

Before you return to your studies, it’s a good idea to get in contact with your teachers to let them know how you have been getting on. Although they will know why you had to take time off, they may not be aware of your needs during your recovery. If you prefer, you could ask a parent, guardian or friend to go along with you.

This is the perfect opportunity to think about what could be done to make your return easier. It’s important that they know there could be times when you have to attend medical appointments or might feel too unwell to study. You may want your tutor to talk to your classmates about what has been going on, so that you don’t get overwhelmed by everyone asking you the same questions.

Moving away

If you are about to start university or return to your studies after your transplant, then potentially living far from home can bring unique challenges. Make sure you have a good support network in place, and that the people you live with know who to contact in an emergency. You should also try to move your appointments to a local hospital and register with a GP that has access to your clinical records.

Alternatively, it’s possible study for a qualification at home though the Open University.

Bullying

It’s a horrible thing to have to talk about, but some people might use what you have been going through to make fun of you. If this happens, talk to someone you can trust and get help – you should not have to put up with this alone.

Although it’s not an excuse, some people react this way because they are nervous and don’t understand your situation. If you're at school, you might want your teacher to talk to your classmates about what you have gone through before you return. The Teenage Cancer Trust can arrange for an expert to come into your school to do this.

Exams

This is probably the last thing you want to think about as you prepare for your return to education. However, it might ease your mind to know that you can apply for certain access arrangements that could make your life a little easier when it comes to exams. This can include having somebody write for you or being given additional breaks.

You might also decide to apply for ‘special consideration’ for your exams. This means the examiner will consider your individual situation and the time you’ve had away from your studies when marking your exam sheet. You will need to talk to your teachers for details of your specific college or university.