Power Grid Blog
Tips for Succeeding in College
November 8, 2012 | TaKeisha Walker
Recently the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development and the Kessler Foundation released a study examining factors effecting successful completion of post-secondary education by students with disabilities. After reading the article, I began to think about my own transition from high school to college and realized that I unwittingly employed several of the strategies highlighted in the study.
When I left for college, my mother and I drove up a day early to get to know the city and spend some time together. A range of ideas permeated my thoughts all day from “how am I going to set up my room?” to “Wow, I don’t have to share the remote with anyone!” It was hard to focus on what was coming and the fact that the next day I would be on my own. I am woman enough to admit that the tears started to roll down my cheeks, once we arrived on campus, unloaded the car and my mother turned to walk out of the room. Her leaving meant that I was an adult responsible for finding my own food, understanding how to get from class to class on time, and all of the other hundred things that seemed so overwhelming at the time.
I sat there on my extra-long twin bed feeling a bit lost and disgusted with myself all at the same time. I thought that I wanted to be out of my mother’s house and in my own space. I thought I was ready, but now that the opportunity was actually in front of me, all I could muster were feelings of fear. In the midst of my pity party, I heard a knock at the door. I quickly wiped my face, did a mirror check to find out just how red my eyes were, and cleared my throat before asking, "Who is it?" The response from other side of the door gave me comfort and thrust me into a moment of shame for being such a baby about the whole experience. On the other side of that door was a friend that I had made in middle school.
Her visit helped me gain some perspective and forced me to take my first step outside of my room without my mother. As time went on, I became one of the most active freshmen on campus participating in a number of student organizations, working as a research assistant for one of my favorite professors, working as a tutor for the Student Resource Center, mentoring incoming freshmen, and writing for the campus newspaper.
What are the specific strategies identified in the study and utilized by me?
- Involvement Leads to Persistence: Students active in their campus community are more likely to successfully complete college. This participation can take both formal and informal paths and include hanging out with friends, joining a student group, working with the campus Disability Services’ office or seeking out a faculty mentor.
- Find your Voice: Students should responsibly advocate for themselves. This could mean seeking out resources from Disability Services or educating professors about accommodations and available campus resources. As we transition from high school to college and again from college to full time employment or graduate school, we have to communicate effectively with others about our needs. One study participant said it best, “know yourself, stand up for yourself, and do not be afraid to share your thoughts.”
At the end of the study, administrators had an opportunity to discuss best practices and challenges that they have encountered. We would love to give the community members a chance to share best practices and challenges that you or your loved ones have experienced. Go to our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter to share your experiences and tips.
Comments
Submitted by admin at 12:40 AM on August 10, 2013Clown perücken meist leuchtenden Farben, obwohl diese Frisur ist nicht die Gestaltung nicht verwenden , echtes Haar, aber oft Dauerwelle, Haarfarbe wird das Haar zu verletzen, und immer noch diese Frisur Alltag kann zu Unannehmlichkeiten. Also zu einem Clown Perücke Notwendigkeiten geworden.
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