Things to Consider Before Deciding About College...

Who Am I? • Differences Between High School and College • Who is Going to College? • Am I Ready for College? • Learning Styles • Accommodations • Career Assessments • Helpful Links

College is a big decision. There really are many things you need to think about. You really need to know yourself, your strengths, your weaknesses, what you like, and what you don't like.

"I talked to my father about college and asked him to give me an honest answer. He told me I can do it but said "Are you ready to change your lifestyle? Because you will have to limit things." And yes, I enjoy my free time. Every week I've got book club, my pottery class, bowling and choir. I know Ill need to change this. I will have to study." -- Tina Johnstin, 20

Without a doubt, college will bring out the best and worst in you. If you are not good at taking notes, you will find that out in college and, if you are good at socializing, you will have a chance to shine, with the many activities always available.

In "Things to Consider" we are going to look at these things: Who am I?, Differences between High School and College, Who Might Be at College?, Am I Ready for College?, Learning Styles, Skill Assessments, and Knowing what Accommodations you might need to succeed in college. Finally, we are going to look at Career Assessments. You will need to think about where you want to go with all your new found information. Which career area do you want to pursue? What area could you focus on when you start to look at colleges?

Who Am I?

All right, let's start with some basic questions. These questions will help you figure out what you're all about, which, in turn, will help you know if you really want to go to college. Everybody thinks they know themselves. Do you?

What are 3 things you do well?
What are your strengths?
What are your weaknesses?
What are 3 things that are important to you?
How hard are you willing to work?
Do you want to live at home?
Do you want to live on your own?
Do you want to live in a big, crowded place?
Do you want to live in a small, country setting?
What do you want to get better at doing?
Do you do things by yourself or do you get help?
Do you want to work with people?
Or would you prefer to work with things (e.g., math, computers)?
What is something you really like to do?
What is something you do that goes on and on and never seems to end?
Does your family help you do things in your daily life?
Do you help your family with their daily life?
Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?

Now you have answered those questions. Were they hard? Sometimes it's hard to take an honest look at oneself and sometimes we don't know all the answers, but hopefully you are now on the right track to finding some of those answers.

Differences Between High School and College

We can now move on and take a look at the differences between high school and college. Leaving high school is a big deal and every student struggles with the transition. You are not alone.

High School	College
Law is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or IDEA.	Laws are Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA and Section 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.
IDEA is about success.	ADA is about access.
Core modifications of classes and materials are required.	NO modifications are required- only accommodations.
Education is a RIGHT and must be accessible to you.	Education is NOT a right. Students must apply to attend.
School district must identify disability.	Student must self-identify.
School district develops Individual Education Plans (IEPs) to determine schools plan.	Student must identify needs and ask for services. NO IEP exists and is not considered legal documentation.
School district provides free evaluations.	Student must obtain evaluations at their own expense.
Student is helped by parents and teachers.	Student must get help from Disability Services Office.
School is responsible for arranging for accommodations.	Student must self-advocate and arrange for accommodations.
Personal care services are required.	No personal care services are required.
Parent has access to student records.	Parent has no access to student records without students written consent.
Parent advocates for student.	Student advocates for self.
School year runs from September - June.	School year is divided into two semesters: September to December and January to May.
Classes meet daily.	Classes meet 1, 2, 3, or 4 times a week.
Classes generally meet in the same building.	Classes are held in many different places on campus.
Average length of class is 35- 45 minutes.	Classes vary in length from 50 minutes to 3 hours.
Daily contact with teachers.	Classes meet less frequently so you will see your instructors and teacher assistants less frequently.
Students need parent's permission to participate in most activities.	Student is adult and gives own permission.
Guidance counselors and other staff scheduled support services for students.	Student must schedule all own support services.
Main office is center of activity for building.	The student is responsible for knowing where to go to get information and assistance.
Classes consist of about 30 students.	Classes consist of about 100 students.
Teachers often remind you of assignments and due dates.	Professors expect you to read the course syllabus. They do not remind you of upcoming events.
High school is free.	Student must pay for college through financial aid and other arrangements.

Who is Going to College?

OK, let's talk about who is going to college. According to the 1994 census, 14.3 million students enrolled in college. Most of them are in public colleges and about every four out of ten students are in 2-year colleges. More than half of all students are women. Three out of 100 students are from other countries and one out of every four identifies themselves as a minority.

So you are not alone in pursuing college. A lot of people are doing it and a lot of people are facing challenges just like you. Should I go? What should I study? Where will I get the money? But with the overwhelming number of people going it seems that something has to be working out.

Am I Ready for College?

Let's see if you are ready for college. There are many things to think about. Do you know people who can help find the supports you need to get to college?

"Getting around the campus was so difficult at first. It was so hard figuring out where everything was like where the entrances were, what floor my class was on, and where the Braille signs. It was difficult to find the men's room and it was difficult to find the cafeteria where I eat lunch. I got some help from Jane, my mobility instructor. She helped me learn the routes, and gave me some directions to help me. She told me to listen for cues like vehicles outside, students talking, and the humming from the vending machines. All those sound cues helped me learn to get around more on my own." -- Robert Bermudez, 19

Let's look at some of those issues. Note any that you think might be of concern. If you can't do everything right now, when do you think you will be able to do it?

I want to continue my education after high school.
I have taken the classes I need in high school to get me ready for college.
I know what job I want after college.
I know how to use the phone book.
know how to budget money.
I have access to regular transportation.
My family is involved in my plans after high school.
I will be helping to pay for college.
I know how to use an ATM.
I need help making plans for college.
I will get the help I need at the college's disability support center.
I plan to have a job while attending college.
I have health/dental/vision insurance.
I can manage my bank account.
I know the accommodations that will help me be successful in college.
I am aware that I need to ask for the support services I need—not my parents and not my professors.
I know how to apply for financial aid to go to college.
I know how to obtain public aid/assistance.
I will need help filling out the applications and financial aid forms to go to college.
I know how to schedule my own appointments.
I know how my disability will affect me during college.
I know which areas I will need to improve on to be successful in college.
I know how to use public transportation.
I have a back-up plan in place if I find college isn't for me.
I know how to make new friends.
I can live on my own.
I will ask for help when I need it.
I am a self advocate.
I keep my personal information private and to myself.
I know how to get medical assistance.

Another excellent checklist to look at to help you determine how ready you are to take the next step is sponsored by WNY Collegiate Consortium of Disability Advocates. This checklist covers school readiness, study skills, student information, social skills, and basic life skills. These things are all very important to your success while in college. While you don't need to be perfect or excel in all these areas you need to know your strengths and weaknesses so you are ready when challenges arise. You can take a look at that checklist here:

www.ccdanet.org/studentselfassessment.html

Learning Styles

Some other things you may want to consider, especially after taking an awareness exam is your learning style. There are several links to online tests that will tell you how you learn best. This will help you when you make your plan for your career. You will need to learn new skills. You may find your self in a 2-year or 4-year college, a trade school, or learning as an apprentice. Any way you do it, it always helps to know how you learn best. That way you will know if you learn better by reading, listening, watching, or just doing it with your hands. The first website listed below will also give you study tips according to your learning style. You may find them helpful. You will also find study tips in our section on helpful hints.

www.metamath.com/multiple/multiple_choice_questions.html

www.vark-learn.com/english/index.asp

Accommodations

We are almost done with "Things to Consider." Just two more things to go! Whew! Who knew this would be such hard work? Have you thought about what type of accommodations you might need when going to college? What type of help you might need?

"I decided to switch to auditing my computer class instead of taking it for full credit." -- Rachel, 19

When you are in college you are responsible for it all yourself. Remember we talked about that earlier in the differences between high school and college?

There are lots of things to consider when it comes to accommodations. Things you might have forgotten about because they were always taken care of by your parents, school, or your teachers. Do you need extra homework help? Do you need a special chair or desk? Do you get distracted with noise around you? The link to the test below will help you determine the areas with which you need the most help.

www.ccdanet.org/selfasses2.html

Along with accommodations one has to address what supports are in place for you to succeed. It is very important that you apply to a college that has a Disability Support Office. Once you contact staff they can assist you in reaching your goals.

photo of beth and lori in the disability supports office

"Lori is one of the academic advisors who works in the disability office. She helps students like me who have a disability. She tells students how to find courses that they might be interested in." -- Beth Tornatola, 20

You may need to put supports in place for transportation, tutors and/or medical care, if necessary. You may need assistance with living arrangements and all the tasks that come with that. If you are living on your own, do you need someone to help you cook, help with your banking and cleaning? Or is your family very involved? If so, they can be a major support. Before going to college or on to the next step in your education, you need to have your supports in place. It is more than having the money to go to school, it is having a support team there to ensure your success.

Another consideration you may want to address is what technology do you need?

"The class was good but it wasn't easy because it wasn't for blind people. I can't see and I can't read print. I needed a notetaker and I needed people to describe what was going on in the class. Someone from the disability office helped arrange for a notetaker. And I use JAWS to read my reading assignments. One thing that made it easier was when Pam, my vision teacher put Braille tabs in my notebook. At first it was hard to use the tabs because I couldn't figure out how they were organized but now I'm used to them." -- Robert Bermudez, 19

Who can provide it? At the very minimum you need a cell phone to stay in contact with people for calls or text messaging and a computer for assignments. But do you need help with reading or hearing or any thing else? Will it be the Disability Services Office or you or your Service Coordinator who secures the technology you need? It is your responsibility to find out.

Career Assessments

Finally, let's take a look at what you might like to do for a career. You may already have an idea or you may be like most first-year students. Although many students have no idea what they want to study, you can be ahead of the game. You can take some career assessment tests, view some career videos, and see what looks good to you. You just may find the career of your dreams and find out how to get it. Keep in mind, not every job requires four years of college. You want to choose a job because it is something you like to do not because of how much it pays. Even if you earn a lot you won't care about the money if you hate the job. Choose things based on your interests, but also challenge yourself. Remember that we all need some challenge to feel good about ourselves.

www.iseek.org

www.quintcareers.com

www.mapping-your-future.org/MHSS/

Helpful Links

www.petersons.com/ugchannel/articles/selfevaluate.asp

http://journals.sped.org/EC/Archive_Articles/VOL.35NO.2NOVDEC2002_TEC_Article%209.pdf