Planning Your College Education When You Have a Learning Disability
The transition from high school to college presents many challenges for students with learning disabilities. For one thing, college represents the start of the journey toward becoming an independent adult. Parents, mentors and friends in high school may not be present as much as you want them to like before.
For another thing, many colleges and universities will not have the desired level of institutional support for students with learning disabilities. Students are almost always treated in an equal manner by the faculty and staff where education is concerned. In contrast, high schools have a better safety net as mandated by law and initiated by sympathetic administrations.
But don’t despair just yet. You can plan your college education and college life so that you will enjoy both of these aspects in this transition period. We suggest the following ways.
Do Your Research
Obviously, your first step is to look for the right college or university where you can enjoy optimal support for your learning disability. You should look at many schools as possible so as to make comparisons about their disability offices, facilities and services. You must also compare campuses in terms of their costs, quality of education and other aspects that make college life a good experience.
Your career goal must also be in place. You will then be able to choose which school will help you achieve it.
Acknowledge Your Limitations
Each one of us has his own limitations. In your case, your limitations may be more pronounced than most people but you know better than to mope over your weaknesses.
However, you must also acknowledge your limitations so that you can plan your college education according to your own strengths. If you take on more than you can handle, you are more likely to end up being stressed, frustrated and disappointed with your academic performance.
For example, if you have dyscalculia, it is a good move to limit your math course load. You will then be able to devote more time to just one single math subject instead of being spread thin over many math courses. Your GPA will be better, too.
Ask for Guidance
Freshmen college students are understandably bewildered by the newness of it all even after campus tours and student orientations have been conducted. You should not expect yourself to be any different in this regard and, thus, you are well-advised to seek for professional guidance, when necessary.
You can start by talking to the head of the students with disability office. You will find that the professionals here are helpful when giving information about your rights and responsibilities while in college. You will even be referred to sympathetic teachers.
These professionals can help in planning your course load for every semester. The aim, of course, is achievement of your educational goals within your set time frame. If you have to march to a different drummer, then so be it.
College is an achievement for any individual with or without a learning disability. But for someone who does have a learning disability, the challenges are harder but the triumph is also sweeter because of it. So, persevere with passion for success is in the horizon.
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