I wasn't in school when I started T, but I was studying at a technical college ... that's sort of the same thing
.
I'm now doing an "on the job" traineeship for a year and a bit - different environment but there's still a BIG study component.
What was left of my "brain fog" (that was there on the few occasions I actually had E in my system that was within female parameters) lifted and was never seen again. I could think clearer consistently. My brain felt overclocked at first
.
I also gained some motivation. Though I found the largest motivation gain was psychological - when I started living as myself (socially transitioned, full time, "socially stealth" before T), I could not stand to fail. With T, my drive just got a bit more aggressive.
It's not a "crush the competition" aggressive drive to succeed though. I need to compete against myself, and my own standards (which I've been told at at times unreasonably high, but never get applied to other people for some reason).
I care more about getting the marks I know I'm capable of, and doing the best I can rather than if I beat out my classmates or co-workers (though I do secretly grin like an idiot and take pride in coming top - I won't lie about it
). In fact, the more comfortable I am with myself, the happier I am helping out other people.
Hunger and sleep cycles haven't been that effected for me. I need to eat more (easily done), and sleep a bit more (also easily done) - you just sort of work it into your schedule and it all works itself out.
Now the bad part - sex drive. Not totally bad, I love the higher sex drive and I wouldn't change it at all... but it has had a negative effect on my ability to concentrate. Some extra "alone time" helped (again, planning and scheduling), and I had it under control for the first few months.
Then I met someone that took my interest, and things changed. Thanks to the increased drive from T, I can't get them out of my mind. And with T also came the extended emotional ability.
Comparatively, pre-T I never actually felt anything for anyone. I have no idea if this is normal - I heard people are supposed to get colder post-T. For the most part I agree - in every other respect I'm rational to the point of other men thinking I'm cold... but it's just this one person that's got to me. I can't describe it properly - I never had the issue pre-T, and I'm not quite sure I understand it all.
All I know for sure is that my concentration has gone down the tubes unless I force it back on task - and I blame the T. It's the only thing that changed. 2 months in, and that happened. Couldn't be transition itself - I had socially transitioned and been living as myself for quite a while before that.
On the whole, it's been a net positive. Increased stability, no depression, greater concentration (apart from the above), clearer thinking, more energy, more motivation, and all 'round happier. Happy people are productive people.
The end verdict? Totally worth it. Awesome positives to be made - BUT beware of good looking coworkers, for they can wreak incredible yet enjoyable havoc
When it comes to study, I think a really big factor in success is scheduling. Make time to revise, eat, sleep and relax. All of these are important things. A bit of each every day will help keep you balanced, on task, and lessen the overall stress.
