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For students: Adjusting to college

Resources and frequently asked questions for students with disabilities

For Students: Adjusting to College

Resources and Frequently Asked Questions for Students With Disabilities
Resources and Frequently Asked Questions for Students with Disabilities

Making the Adjustment

For students with disabilities, adjusting to college life can involve attending to some issues beyond the usual ones all students face. When psychologist talk about adjustment, they are referring to the psychological processes people call upon to manage or cope with new demands or challenges. College is a positive challenge.

I’m guessing that part of adjusting to college is learning to deal with stress. Are there any resources that can help me feel less stressed?

Majority of college students experience stress. Here are some resources to consult if you feel stressed at school:  

Remember that beginning college is a period of transition for gaining independence and further developing a sense of identity. Each stage of life provides opportunity to gain self-understanding. Within your transition to adulthood, disabled students may use this time to further develop their identity. Resources to discuss issues like this can be found here:

  • Think About Disability Identity, by D.S. Dunn and S. Burcaw, November 2013, Spotlight on Disability, Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association.
APA Style leaf logo Cite this in APA Style
American Psychological Association. (2018, April 5). Adjusting to college: A brief guide for students with disabilities. https://www.apa.org/pi/disability/resources/student-college-guide

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How do I decide where to apply for admission?

  • Search online for 2-year community colleges and 4 year colleges and universities.
  • Visit your high school library and guidance office.

Websites to explore:

For students with learning disabilities:

When I decide on the schools where I want to apply, should I also visit the campuses?

Yes. Getting a sense of what it’s like to navigate from place to place and figuring out timing will be helpful. Identify unexpected barriers and learn how to access residence halls, the library and classrooms. Getting a feel for the college atmosphere is great.

Will colleges and universities have resources available to help students like me who have disabilities?

In college you won’t have an IEP or 504 plans. You have to become your own advocate, but the university should provide information for you. You can usually find this information within an Office of Disability Support Services. Contacting them in advance can aid in the transition between high school and college.

Should I speak to my instructors about my disability or any accommodations I might need?

Yes, you should if you believe it will help you with your course work. Some schools will inform your instructors for you, others won’t. Find out the policy in place at the institution to intend to apply for admission.

Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilitiesopens in new window , sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, is a repository of information and resources related to disability and includes a link to postsecondary education.

I’m concerned the work will be more demanding than it was in high school, and I want to make a good transition to college- are there any guides that can help me?

College work requires more time and preparation than what your high school work did. Resources to help you focus include:

All college students should seek out their campus resources as soon as possible. A few you should identify include:

  • Campus Police
    Campus police can assist with understanding how to stay safe on campus
  • University/ College Counseling Center
    These centers can assist a student maintain a healthy well-being while in college.
  • Title IX Coordinators
    These individuals assist students who have been sexually assaulted on campuses. If your campus does not have a Title IX coordinator make sure your student contacts the Dean of Student Affairs before the semester starts to identify who will handle such inquiries.
  • Disability Resources Office
    This office can work with students to identify accommodations and assistive technology needs the student may have in college.

Are You Interested in Psychology?

The American Psychological Association is a great place to learn about the discipline of psychology. APA’s mission is to advance the creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people’s lives.” To learn about the discipline of psychology and the scope of APA, visit the organization’s website.

Use these resources to navigate your future in psychology:

To see what resources APA has available for people with disabilities, please visit the website of the APA Office on Disability Issues.

 

Date created: 2018

For Students With Disabilities

Contact the Office on Disability Issues in Psychology