Students at Waynesburg University are always on the move, from studying for classes to attending club and organization meetings.

Unfortunately, this becomes even more difficult for a handful of students who have a history of concussions. This presents many challenges not only in college but in other aspects of their lives. Isabella Cantafio, a junior nursing major, has suffered six concussions dating back to middle school. The injuries have caused her many troubles both inside and outside of the classroom.

“I have had some of them through sports and the severe one was a waterpark accident. I definitely have to pace myself with everything every day. So, that is different than before, where I could do things very easily,” said Cantafio.

These concussions have had an effect on Cantafio for quite some time and also had an impact on her transition from high school to college.

“During high school, I had to be homebound, I almost didn’t graduate on time. I did half-days for sophomore and junior year and then halfway through senior year I became homebound because of my concussion. After high school, I took two years off, and took a class or two through community college, and then came to Waynesburg,” said Cantafio.

Senior Psychology major, Mason Morgan, has also dealt with the symptoms of concussions and its effect on his learning abilities.

“I have actually had eight and that began my junior year of high school. A majority of them are sports related, and then I had a couple where I accidently hit my head on something while walking,” said Morgan.

Some of the challenges that Morgan has had to deal with effect his study habits, which has forced some adjustments.

“I am really thankful for the professors that put there notes online before class. They are the saving grace of the university, I cannot physically look at smart boards and take notes that way.  That sets off [the migraines] way to easily. It’s good to have those notes right in front of me so I don’t have to look up and back down to my paper,” said Morgan.

Concussions can affect multiple aspects of your life and have for both Cantafio and Morgan.

“One way is that I can’t play sports anymore or [do] anything that would risk me getting another concussion. In college, this can sometimes be hard because I enjoy being active and doing sports with friends, but I have to be careful,” said Cantafio.

Morgan has had similar issues, but seems to self-impose his restrictions on what he can and cannot do physically.

“I really have no restrictions on what I can do, it’s more of a personal preference. Coming into my freshman year, I was going to play football but I had a long talk with my parents and we decided it would be better if I avoided that. I have no problem going to the gym and playing basketball with my friends and doing things like that,” said Morgan.

Cantafio looks to finish her schooling next academic year and then take her education to help land a job in the field of pediatric nursing.

However, for Morgan the concussion struggles haven’t always been negative. It was after those concussions that he realized he wanted to take a deeper look at the effect that concussions can have on people.

“[Concussions] actually were a part of the reason I chose Psychology. I want to go into concussion research after I graduate. It’s sort of became a passion of mine. It is not just a negative, it has some positives, it has brought me to [realizing] what I want to do my life,” said Morgan.

The injuries that these two students have sustained are traumatic and will continue to have an effect on the way that they work inside and outside of the classroom. Finding a balance between course work and the other parts of your life is challenging, but these two students prove that it is possible.