Each day a challenge for grad

JT Walker

Everyday is different, especially for JT Walker. Each day he attended his college classes, just like everyone else at CSUB. Little did everyone know how difficult it was for him to do just that.

Walker is one of 10 million Americans with bipolar disorder, a medical illness that causes extreme shifts in mood, energy, and functioning according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. It has been a long journey but with the support of his family, friends and professors, Walker graduated from CSUB's criminal justice program in June.

“Each quarter brought difficulty. Room and instructor changes are difficult periods of adjustment, much more difficult than a job where it's the same time, same place and same people every day. A job is much more comfortable because it has that level of routine.”

Getting the required work for the classes took additional effort as well. “It's hard to stay focused when writing reports…I can't pick a topic when asked by the professors, it's overwhelming. I can't be given non-specific tasks.” He needed to be given a set of goals to meet and work with instructors regularly.

“It took a lot of effort on the professor's part to make sure I passed,” he said. “Being at a smaller college made a huge difference. At a large university professors wouldn't take the time like they did here at CSUB. Well over half the courses I've taken and passed has been due to the professors' help.”