What You Can Do To Help Yourself

"You have a responsibility to yourself. This means refusing to let others do your thinking, talking and naming for you, learning to respect and use your own brains and instincts, grappling with hard work. You refuse to sell your talents and aspirations short, simply to avoid conflict and confrontation. You have the right to expect your faculty to take you seriously [which means that you] seek criticism, reject attitudes of 'take it easy', and assume your share of responsibility for what happens in the classroom because that affects the quality of your daily life here." - Adrienne Rich, author

Help Yourself
Be your own best advocate.
Rehearse your explanation so that you can explain why you need accommodations.

• Understand your own disability by learning all you can about it.
• Manage your time. Keep ONE calendar for all important dates. Keep "To Do" lists to match due dates.
• Attend all classes. Sit toward the front of the class.
• Ask questions.
• Review notes as soon after class as possible.
• Work with others to complete assignments and review for exams.
• Get help early. Use the Center for Accommodative Services, Academic Support Center, and other resources.
• Know your degree requirements. Set realistic goals.
• Every student is assigned a faculty member as an academic adviser. Your adviser will help you register for the right courses, explain the college catalog to you, help you with drop/add, and have a copy of your grades each time they are distributed. Get to know your adviser right away. Remember, your adviser can also be your advocate.

Each individual has the right and responsibility to make the decisions that shape their educational program and their lives. The individual has the right to take reasonable risks to test and stretch their limits of independence. In addition to the right of privacy, you have the right to refuse services. Each individual has the right to request, deny, refuse, and dispute services.