Runnergal, the worst thing about PCS is not knowing when it will get better, but it does. I had issues for years with lashing out at people around me, getting overwrought, and generally trashing all the positive relationships I had. I had a lot of intense expectations of myself -- real Type A stuff -- and when I didn't live up to them, I took it out on others.

Your dream of having your own classroom is something you've lost -- for the moment. There is a grief part of PCS, too, where we have to come to terms with our expectations. Some of them are unrealistic, or don't have a very wide context. Having your own classroom might not have happened immediately, anyway -- I come from a family of teachers, and they come in all shapes and sizes and class types. So, my suggestion is that you let that go for the time being. Another opportunity may come again, so if you use up all your energy resenting what you can't have now, you'll have less energy for finding what's coming later. I know your plans may seem totally screwed up -- but that happens in life, anyway, even without concussion.

It sounds like you are a very driven, very goal-oriented person who takes pride in being in command of her life. That is a quality that can be very helpful in PCS recovery -- and it can also backfire on you. If you can find more goals to shoot for, instead of a narrow set, such as finishing up in April and starting your career at the "right" time, that can reduce the stress and pressure.

As for slowing down -- well, your screen name is "runnergal", so that tells me you like to move at a pretty brisk clip. Many of us here also did... then we learned another way.

Speaking of learning, your experience with this can help you become more compassionate and more understanding of kids you'll teach later who have special needs. This first-hand knowledge can give you a real advantage in your career as a teacher, so study it well now, to use it later. Empathy and compassion are in short supply, these days, so if you've got it, you'll be even more valuable in a teaching role.

Best of luck in your recovery and your coursework.