1. Lofted Bed

Having a lofted bed can be very convenient for storage purposes, especially in the tiny dorm rooms. Even just lofting it half way can make a huge difference, without needing a ladder or having the fear of falling from high heights. You can just jump up onto your bed, pushing off from your feet and using the support of your hands. But what happens when you suddenly can’t use your one foot? You have to dive up onto your bed and trying not to fall off, using every muscle in your body not to roll off once you partially get your body up on the bed. Your journey doesn’t end there because you will have to get off in the morning. You slowly slide down the side careful not to put weight on your foot. When you try to walk, you fall forward because your leg is stiff from lying down for so long. Every time you want to lay down its a workout.

2. Cafeteria

While eating in the cafeteria you collect many plates and cups trying the different foods and drinks. You make sure to strongly grip your plates and cups with two hands, after properly stacking them so they will not fall. When someone drops a plate in the cafeteria the crowd erupts in laughter and hacking banter. But how do you carry a plate with crutches under your arms? You can’t. So you either have to wait for a friend to go get food with you, or eat all your leftover Halloween candy for every meal.

3. Leaving Earlier

You used to pass people on the way to class, walking as fast as you could. You got annoyed when people would just leisurely be walking in front of you, talking with their friends. But being on crutches slows your pace down a lot. Now people pass you as you limp around campus. Your walk to class used to take seven minutes, now it takes fourteen.

4. Elevators

Most students mentally map out their class schedules finding the fastest and most convenient routes. The rest of the hallways are unknown to you. When your usual route includes stairs, you have to crutch around to find an elevator, which can add another ten minutes to your trek. On your ride up, you pray that the elevator won’t break because it’s probably just as old as the school. The most awkward situation is when you silently ride up with you professor and make small talk, hoping that she isn’t wondering why you skipped her last class.

5. Driving

Having a car on campus is a major stress reliever. You have the ability to get off campus at anytime and leave all your worries behind. You don’t have to eat the cafeteria food. You can shop and explore the city outside your university. Being on crutches because you injured the right half of your body means you cannot drive. You’re stranded on campus, while your car remains parked in the same spot for weeks. You begin to run out of tissues, snacks, and even pencils. You keep contemplating just getting in your car and driving away, but you know your ankle won’t bend enough to brake.