Sorry I can't really help you as my surgery was at C6/7 and done here in Australia. Just wanted to say - Good Luck and go with your gut feeling. You can start your course and probably they will help you study at home or catch up later - though you may not feel like studying for the first couple of weeks. I was resting at home for around 6 weeks in all - but I'm 53 and us oldies don't heal as quickly as you youngies! I'd say I sat at home (with walks around the house every half hour) for the first week or so. Then I ventured out during the daytime to shop (no carrying anything heavy) and for coffee with friends in the next week. My concentration came good in around the 3rd week (I am doing a distance learning course) and I could drive after the 4th week - though reverse was a bit troubling. If I was in a heavy industy I would have been off work for 4 - 6 weeks.
Good Luck with whatever you decide and trust (with your surgeons advice) that it will be right for you.