Why School Might be a Challenge

Disclaimer: I am just going to clarify that I am a teacher so I am speaking from both a teaching perspective and a student perspective who has gone through this but I am not a medical or a legal professional, please consult them if you need them. 

POTS comes with a million different symptoms that change all of the time. You can feel great one minute then an hour later be exhausted. I’m going to walk you through a typical day at an American high school or middle school.

Typical High School Schedule

8:15 – 8:18	Homeroom	Homeroom	Homeroom	Homeroom	Homeroom
8:22 – 9:10	A Block	Elective	E Block	C Block	B Block
9:14 – 10:03	B Block	A Block	Elective	D Block	C Block
10:09 – 10:59	C Block	B Block	A Block	E Block	D Block
11:03 – 11:51	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch
11:54 – 1:02	D Block	C Block	B Block	Elective	E Block
1:09 – 2:08	E Block	D Block	C Block	A Block	Elective
2:12 – 3:00	Elective	E Block	D Block	B Block	A Block

That’s a busy schedule for anyone, 3 minutes between classes to go to your locker and the bathroom. Students tend to eat early and in 20 minute shifts. Then there is homework once the students finally get home.

How It Work With POTS

For a student with POTS this schedule can often be too much. In general, students are given around 3 minutes between classes. During this time they are expected to get to their locker and their next class. Which is fine if their locker is between their current class and the next class. If not, they might be carrying their books with them all day. Now in a student with POTS, they might already be fatigued so adding books could just make it so much worse.

Students need to move classes each block and there is not telling where each class is. Often classes are spread throughout the building, sometimes a 5 minute walk away. 5 minutes that students are expected to do in 3. Students with POTS cannot rush like that, especially if stairs are involved.

Now if those classes that are 5 minutes apart are also on different levels that add another layer of exhaustion and exertion for POTS students. Most schools only have 1 elevator and students do not have a key. If the students need access they need to find a teacher each time. Teachers are often in a rush between classes because they too only have 3 minutes to go to the bathroom and prep for the next class. This can create a lot of anxiety for students on if they can find a teacher who can help them in the 3 minute span.

In Class

Once they are in class, with their heavy book bag, they are expected to immediately start work. There is no time for recovery from running up the stairs, with a heavy backpack, and across the hallways. They’re exhausted and now they need to do work. With exhaustion and fatigue, brain fog can set in. Now the teacher wants them to share your answer with the class. The problem is they didn’t have enough time, energy, or brain power to do it.  They’re struggling for a quick answer but nothing is coming to mind and their teacher and the class are all watching them. This would make any kid anxious.

That’s only the first block. By the time they get to lunch they’re exhausted. Running around the school and sitting up in class each block is fatiguing. Going down to the cafeteria is another long walk and they’re not hungry. Now their stomach hurts. Also they don’t know where to sit because they rearranged the tables and you haven’t been in school since then. Now they’re nausea, anxious, exhausted, fatigue, struggling to think and maybe have a headache or any other number of problems.

It’s Different for Everyone

I’m not saying everyday is like this for someone with POTS, every person is different. There are so many challenges to being in school for any teenager let alone one with POTS. I hope this gives you a better idea of what might be going on with a student who has POTS.

How did you do in high school with your POTS symptoms?