Self-Advocacy

Statistics have shown that students with disabilities who have demonstrated the most academic success have a solid understanding of how their disability impacts their daily functioning and are able to articulate those challenges to ask for reasonable accommodations.

Reach out for help if you need assistance. There are many people who can help you develop your skills! Here are some strategies to achieve academic success:

 

Increasing Awareness

  • Know the differences between High School and College.
  • Know your strengths and weaknesses
  • Know your rights and resources related to support and employment of people with disabilities. You should become familiar with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehab Act, and other legislation pertaining to the rights of individuals with disabilities.
  • Know how to talk about your disability, what it means to you, how you identify with it, and the accommodations that you use.

Learning Strategies

  • Get a game plan for each of your courses. Your syllabus outlines the “rules to win the game” so become familiar with the requirements and expectations when the class begins.
  • Develop study and exam taking strategies. Every student learns differently, and now it is up to you to find the way that works best for you to achieve.
  • Find a time management system that works for you- when is your most productive time of day? How long can you study for at one time? Know yourself!
  • Get help in setting goals for your courses. While some goals may be personal, others may be required by your major or a scholarship.
  • Find approaches for meeting those goals.
  • Institute structure and organization into your schedule. A routine can be helpful to keep a consistent sleep schedule and develop good study habits.
  • Persistence is often the key to discovering solutions. Practice makes perfect, and not just in sports. Just like any other skill, study skills and time management techniques often take time before showing improvements in grades.

Academic Support

  • Build strategies in academic reading. The CTLE provides reading services for students.
  • Find writing processes that work for you. The CTLE’s writing center can answer any questions, provide proof reading services, and help to develop academic papers.
  • Be open to suggestions, tips, or comments from instructors, tutors, or CTLE staff.
  • Identify yourself to the professor when learning assistance is needed.
  • Build a network of support on campus which includes peers, team members, CTLE staff, tutors, faculty, etc. The more people you have behind you, the better!

Wellness

  • Take care of yourself! Being a student full-time is the same as having a full-time job. You need enough sleep, food, exercise, and emotional/social support to be successful and healthy.
  • Motivation is an important factor in learning. Keep the end goal in mind as you become a passionate professional. Reward yourself for successes, even the small ones!
  • Ask for help with personal difficulties you may be having by seeing a professional in the counseling center on campus
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