Tips for Success

Tips for Success: College Students with Disabilities

Baker College wants to provide students with guideline tips for success, especially formulated for neurodivergent students, and students with disabilities. However, all students can benefit from the following tips. We are here to support all students, with varying abilities, to be successful and build a life they love, whatever that looks like for the individual. 

General Tips

1. Self-Advocacy: Learning to advocate for yourself is a skill that takes work. In high school, many times accommodations and support were put in place for you. This is different in college. Knowing what support you need and where, and being able to ask for the support you need is essential. Please reach out to the Disability Specialist at Baker College for help learning how to advocate for yourself. 
2. Know Your Rights: Familiarize yourself with the disability services offered by your college or university. Understand your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504).
3. Communicate Your Needs: Don’t hesitate to communicate your needs to professors, advisors, and disability service providers. They are there to support you, but you need to ask for what you need.
4. Develop a Support Network: Build a support network. This might include your family, friends, program cohort, instructors, academic advisors, director of student affairs, and disability specialists on campus. Knowing who to go to when you need support ahead of time is essential. 
5. Utilize tutoring and study groups- It is essential to learn the information, and not just memorize it for the upcoming test. Utilize the tutoring center to get the information to stick long-term. Or, create a study group with your classmates!

Mental Health Tips

1. Utilize our UWill Resource: If you’re a full-time or part-time Baker College undergraduate student, graduate student, or St. Francis School of Law student, you have FREE unlimited access to licensed mental health therapists, plus 24/7/365 on-demand crisis counseling and life coaching through the UWill platform. Find more information about Uwill here.
2. Manage Stress: It is essential to develop healthy coping mechanisms to manage stress- such as mindfulness, journaling, exercise, reaching out to friends and family, and engaging in hobbies. Schedule time in your day for self-care activities.
3. Stay Organized: Use organizational tools such as planners, calendars, and to-do lists to stay on top of deadlines and responsibilities. Breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps can also help reduce stress.
4. Create Routine and Structure: Establishing routines and creating a structured environment can help reduce anxiety and improve focus. Consider sticking to a regular schedule for meals, sleep, and study time.
5. Find Sensory-Friendly Spaces: Identify quiet, sensory-friendly spaces on campus where you can relax and recharge when needed. This might include libraries, quiet study rooms, or outdoor areas. If you need a sensory- friendly space and aren’t sure where to go- ask your Director of Student Affairs on your campus.

Physical Limitation Tips

1. Accessibility: Familiarize yourself with the campus layout and identify accessible routes to classes, buildings, and facilities. Advocate for accessibility improvements if needed. 
2. Utilize Assistive Technology: Explore assistive technologies that can help you navigate your academic environment more easily. This might include screen readers, speech recognition software, or mobility aids. 
3. Arrange Accommodations: Work with disability services to arrange accommodations such as accessible housing, transportation, and classroom accommodations. Don’t hesitate to request accommodations that meet your specific needs.
4. Take Care of Your Health: Prioritize your physical health by getting regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, following doctors suggestions, and getting enough rest. Practice self-care and listen to your body’s needs. If you are struggling with personal care, please see our Personal Care Resources page.

Managing Test Anxiety

1. Practice under similar conditions. To help you recall information you need at test time, spend time studying in spaces arranged similarly to testing space (e.g., at desk/on computer) and under similar time constraints.
2. Establish a consistent pretest routine. Learn what works for you, and follow the same steps each time you get ready to take a test. 
3. Learn relaxation techniques. To help you stay calm and confident right before and during the test, perform relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or closing your eyes and imagining the positive outcome. 
4. Eat well. Your brain needs fuel to function. Eat the day of the test and drink plenty of water. Avoid sugary drinks such as sodas, which can cause your blood sugar to peak and then drop.
5. Get to class—or the testing site—early. Feeling rushed will only amp up the anxiety. Pack everything you need for the exam the night before, and set the alarm, so you can get out the door on time.

College can present unique challenges for students with disabilities, but with the right support and strategies, you can succeed academically and personally. Remember to advocate for yourself, seek out resources and support, and focus on your strengths. Your college experience is what you make of it, so embrace opportunities for growth and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.