Resources for Your Transition to College
Strategies for Success
- Set realistic goals and priorities for coursework.
- Be prepared to request “reasonable accommodation” in course work so you can learn and demonstrate your knowledge of course material.
- If you use books-on-tape, order them as soon as you know what courses you will be studying for the following semester. If you are not registered for books-on-tape, speak with the SDSS Coordinator immediately.
- Become knowledgeable and comfortable about describing your disability so you can advocate for yourself with faculty.
- Keep only one calendar with all relevant dates, assignments, and appointments. Do not try to keep a schedule in your head.
- Sit in the front of the classroom to maximize your contact and to reduce distractions.
- Use a tape recorded during lectures. Selectively tap-record key points using the “pause” switch. Using a counter, write the counter number in the margin when you are getting behind and then you can listen to those sections which you feel you need to review instead of the entire tape.
- Listen to the tape or review your written notes as soon as possible after class to refresh your memory and to fill in any gaps.
- Estimate how long a given class assignment will take, generally planning on two to three hours outside of class for every hour in class.
- Build in study breaks; fatigue is a big time waster.
- If you learn better by listening to others and then discussing what you have learned, start a study group at the beginning of the course to meet regularly each week.
- Make notes of any questions you might have so that they can be answered before the next exam.
- If you are having trouble or feel overwhelmed, talk with the professor immediately.
- If you know that you are weak in a content area, set up tutorial assistance during the first week of classes.
- Do not hesitate to seek help. It is critical that you link up with the Academic Support Center before you fall behind in your work.
Books
- Answers to Distraction
by Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey
- Attention Disorder in Adults: A Different Way of Thinking
by Lynn Weiss
- Becoming a Master Student
by Dave Ellis (Highly recommended for all students)
- College Survival: Get the Real Scoop on College Life from Students
by Greg Gottesman and friends
- Driven to Distraction
by Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey
- Learning Outside the Line: Two Ivy League Students with LD and ADHD Give You the Tools
by Jonathan Mooney and David Cole
- Succeeding Against the Odds
by Sally L. Smith
- Survival Guide for College Students with ADD or LD
by Kathleen G. Nadea
- What Does Everybody Else Know that I Don’t?
by Michele Novotni
- You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid, or Crazy?!
by Kate Kelly
Organizations
