Student Blog: Academic Integrity: How I Balance Mental Illness and Academics

Welcome back, friends!

The topic of today’s post is academic integrity. 

As someone with ADHD, I have a complicated relationship with academics. I grew up in the Gifted program, relying on academic success and validation for my own self image. But, as I got older, and classes became more difficult, I started to struggle. What was previously easy for me seemed impossible, and I had no idea how to handle it. I couldn’t focus, I kept losing my assignments, I turned in almost everything late, and I started cheating to get by (which is something I had never done previously). It all made me feel horrible about myself.

Luckily, as an Acting major, traditional academics are not the focus of my college career. (I love talking to all of the Science or Business majors at my school about the difference in our classes. “I did a three hour long lab today, how was your class?” “I had to pretend to be a tree.”)

But, I do still have academic classes I have to take, and acting-based classes still come with their fair share of work, even if it isn’t your typical homework assignment. 

Academic integrity, to me, means a lot of different things. Not just submitting honest work on time, but doing each assignment to the best of your ability. So how do I maintain this, despite the struggles with mental illness, and a packed, rehearsal-filled schedule?

I think the most important thing is clear, open, and honest communication with your professors. Although I have made a huge improvement in academic integrity since high school, I’d be lying to you if I said every assignment has been completed by the due date. Because of both mental and physical illness, it’s natural to fall behind. But, because I’m so honest and make the effort to communicate with my professors, they’re more than happy to help me. 

There’s such a huge difference between reaching out to a professor ahead of time, and explaining your situation, and just simply not turning something in. To the professor, the first one shows them that you care, and just need some help or some extra time. The second one does not. If you communicate, they'll be more willing to help you out.

I think it’s also important to not do this more than you absolutely have to. But, if you are usually good about turning in your work, and then need a small extension or need to miss a class every once and a while? Different story.

Keep in mind, every school and professor has a different late work and absence policy, so this may work differently at different schools and programs. But for me, communication has always made a clear difference.

Another way to help maintain academic integrity in college is to study something you’re interested in whenever you can, not only by picking a major you’re passionate about. Try to incorporate your passions into whatever classes and assignments possible. You have to choose an essay topic for your English class?  Find something you could talk about for hours! Usually there’s some way to incorporate your interests into whatever you’re doing. This way, you’ll be excited about working on it, and can put your best foot forward.

I’m lucky enough to be studying something I genuinely really love. I can’t wait to work on my next scene, or analyze that character. Loving what you do makes the work not only bearable, but exciting. 

Lastly, keep in mind that especially in the performing world, your professors are your first professional connections that will stick with you for the rest of your career. One of my main motivators when I don’t have the energy to work on an assignment, is remembering that these are people I will hopefully be working with in the future. Do I want to be remembered as the one who was never prepared, never turned in her work, when my name is brought up in the casting process? Or do I want to be remembered as someone who is great to work with, communicative, and puts in their best effort? 

As always, the most important thing is taking care of yourself. Take some time to recharge when you need to, and remember that you are worth more than a test score. But, with the right motivation, you may surprise yourself with how much you can do. You got this.

Take care of yourselves,

K

(Instagram: katiesgleason ; TikTok: starksnova)