Tips for navigating the labyrinth of university policies

• You're not alone.
• Find an ally. If not your advisor, maybe a labmate or your graduate student representative.
• A medical leave of absence may not be the best approach, as they frequently remove access to university resources.
• There may be unofficial mechanisms at your university to get you short term support, i.e. fellowships, etc.
• You do not necessarily have to provide all the details of your medical condition, but may need to explain the effects on your work. Couch in general terms, i.e, I have a condition that causes me to be unable to function some days, and it is hard to predict when the functional days will be.
• You do not necessarily have to have a diagnosis to get help from the university.