Having epilepsy doesn’t mean you can’t do well at school, uni, TAFE, or in a job. Lots of young people with epilepsy study, work, and succeed. If you’re finding things hard, it’s really important to speak up and seek help early – getting support can make life easier.
Epilepsy can sometimes affect things like memory, concentration, learning, and thinking. For some people it’s only minor, but for others it can feel like a bigger challenge. This can be linked to the part of the brain where your seizures start.
Medication side effects, stress, and worrying about seizures can also affect your studies or make studying harder. And long hours of study (or late nights socialising) can lead to tiredness and lack of sleep — which can trigger seizures.
Planning ahead can help. Try not to leave assignments or exam prep until the last minute, so you’re not staying up late or cramming.
If you have a long‑term health condition like epilepsy, schools, TAFEs, and universities do offer support or adjustments – things like extra time in exams, flexible deadlines, or help in class. You just need to talk to the right person at your place of education to set this up.
Learning difficulties can happen for different reasons:
- the seizures themselves
- medication side effects
- stress, anxiety, or other social/emotional stuff related to epileps
If you’re struggling – especially with memory or concentration – talk to your doctor. They might refer you to a neuropsychologist. A neuropsychologist is an expert in how the brain affects thinking, mood, and behaviour. They can help you understand what’s going on, give you strategies to cope, and link you with other supports if needed. They can also refer you to others who can help, such as physical or speech therapists.
Click the play button to hear what school’s like for Nathan.
Click on the video to learn from students with epilepsy.
