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For Students: You've Got This

This page is for you, the student with epilepsy. Not your parents, not your teachers, you. Epilepsy is part of your life, but it doesn't define you, and school can absolutely work for you.

Seizure materials in Spanish, Somali, and Hmong: see In Your Language.

You are not alone

About 1 in 100 people have epilepsy. In a school your size, that's probably a lot of people, you just may not know who they are, because many keep it private. Plenty of athletes, artists, and honor students have epilepsy. Having seizures says nothing about how smart, capable, or cool you are.

Know your own plan

The few things that make the biggest difference:

  • Have a seizure action plan at school (your parent and doctor set it up; the nurse keeps it). It tells staff exactly what to do, so you're covered even if you can't speak for yourself.
  • Take your medication as prescribed, this is the single biggest thing within your control.
  • Sleep matters more than you'd think. Missing sleep is one of the most common seizure triggers. Pulling all-nighters is genuinely risky for you, so protect your sleep.
  • Know your triggers (lack of sleep, stress, missed meds, sometimes flashing lights for a few people) and you can avoid a lot of trouble.

Telling friends and teachers (your call)

You don't owe anyone your medical history. But telling a few people you trust actually keeps you safer, because they'll know what to do instead of panicking. You can keep it simple:

"Hey, I have epilepsy, so I sometimes have seizures. If I ever have one, don't freak out, just keep me safe, don't put anything in my mouth or hold me down, turn me on my side, time it, and get the nurse. Call 911 if it lasts more than 5 minutes."

That's it. Most friends are glad you told them and want to help.

Your rights at school (real ones)

You are allowed to ask for support, and the law backs you up:

  • You can have a 504 plan with accommodations, like a quiet place to rest after a seizure, making up missed work without penalty, or retaking a test you had a seizure during. (See Your Child's Rights, it applies to you.)
  • You can still do sports, clubs, field trips, and activities. Epilepsy is not a reason to be benched, with your doctor's okay, you do what everyone else does (with sensible safety like a swim buddy).
  • If a teacher or coach treats you unfairly because of epilepsy, that's not okay, tell a parent, the nurse, or a counselor.

Staying safe without missing out

  • Water: swim with a buddy and tell the lifeguard; showers are safer than baths. Don't swim alone, ever.
  • Sports: wear normal gear; tell your coach what to do. Most sports are fine.
  • Driving (teens): you can drive in Minnesota after being seizure-free for 3 months with your doctor's sign-off. It's a goal, not a "never." (More in Everyday Safety & Living.)

The feelings part (this is normal)

It's completely normal to feel frustrated, embarrassed, anxious, or just tired of dealing with epilepsy. Seizures can feel scary or out of your control, and that's a lot to carry. None of it makes you weak or "less."

  • Talk to someone you trust, a parent, friend, counselor, or your doctor.
  • Epilepsy can come with extra anxiety or low moods for some people, and that's treatable, you don't have to just push through it.
  • If you're ever in crisis, call or text 988 (free, 24/7). You matter.

Help other kids too

Once you've got the basics, you can make your whole school safer and kinder. Run a quick awareness talk or club with EDAN's free Peer-Awareness Toolkit, students listen to other students.

Written by students, for students, at the Epilepsy Data & Advocacy Network (EDAN). This is general info, not medical advice, your doctor knows your situation best. In an emergency, call 911.