“During my studies, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. That scared me at first. A chronic, incurable autoimmune disease in my mid-20s?” For Angelika (27 years, from Bonn), everything changed in one swoop. She received a terrible diagnosis. But she doesn’t let it get her down and doesn’t want to let her chronic illness define her. How she manages to pursue her passion with strength and self-confidence despite the circumstances? She reveals that to us here.

Studying despite a chronic illness – Angelika’s Passion Challenge

“Hello, I’m Angelika and I’m a student of business informatics at the University of Cologne. After my high school graduation, I completed an apprenticeship as an IT specialist for application development and then realised that I wanted to “think outside the box” a bit more. Before the training, I was still unsure whether I wanted to go to university at all. Afterwards it was clear to me.

While studying working with illness? It became a win-win situation

In addition to my duties as a software developer and trainer, I started studying at the same time. My employer was very accommodating. Every semester there is a different timetable – and I was therefore allowed to go to the office at different times every few months. This way I was able to finance my studies myself and already had prior knowledge for some modules. I love learning new things and understanding the theoretical background behind my work. The employer also benefited because current research topics are constantly being dealt with at the university.

For me, this path was exactly right: in the first semester, I didn’t have to study for a single exam and yet I can broaden my horizons. I also started my studies much more independently. It was never a problem for me to work or study 8 hours a day.

Support all along the line – this is how my environment backs me up

Since my diagnosis, I do fewer modules in a semester to avoid stress and the resulting relapses. Everyone, at work and at university, is incredibly understanding when I can’t go to an event or to the office, for example, due to doctor’s appointments or time competition with my injections. I am provided with digital documents and study and work from home more often. Sometimes, of course, that gets on my nerves.

Are you interested in IT? This is what your future could look like!

If you are interested in IT: Women (but also men) in this field have excellent job prospects. If you then go on to study despite a chronic illness, it shows everyone that you can reliably complete assignments and are very flexible. The study of business informatics offers the opportunity to take on various tasks for this purpose. You don’t have to become a software developer but can also take on tasks in communication with customers or in project management.

Study successfully despite a chronic illness! Don’t let it get you down

When I tell people about my illness, they immediately feel sorry for me and at that moment only see the illness and not the person. But that comes quickly when you smile at them.

Now I’m almost finished, and I also started working for a new employer in August. I work there as an SAP development consultant and was able to shorten my probationary period so that I will be taken on at the beginning of October and not at the beginning of February as planned. From my experience I can say: even with a chronic illness you can go through with your studies! Learning while having fun even makes you think less about the illness. Sometimes it feels as if the goal of the bachelor’s degree is also a fight against the illness. It is definitely worth doing the degree. Everyone is already impressed that I study alongside my job and illness.

Angelika’s encouraging tip: You are stronger than your illness!

So: even if it takes you longer, you can be proud of yourself! That’s what makes your CV special. Don’t let an illness affect your dreams, you are stronger. I have the motto: if I have an inflammation right now, I can think enough about the MS. As long as I don’t have acute symptoms, it’s not worth it. If I’m physically well, I should also be mentally well.

P.S.: Fun Facts about Angelika

I’m an avid American football fan and make a snack stadium for my guests every Super Bowl. Every now and then, the basement programmer in me comes through and I attend a hackathon. Within a weekend, you develop an application with a team for challenges set there.“

Thank you, dear Angelika, for your encouraging passion story!

These articles might also interest you:

Training or studying?
These 3 stories are catchy
Digital Detox mal anders! 3 Wege für deine Entspannung
My passion: I make others strong!
Stronger than you think!
In action for health