College Bound? How to Navigate the Transition - A Practical Toolkit For All Learners
Part Two: Setting Up Educational Success With Tech, Accommodations, And More
Transitioning from high school to college is significant, and while Part One of our series focused on getting your legal paperwork in order, academic readiness is equally crucial. As you likely already know, college academics operate under a different set of systems and laws than high school, and success isn't solely about intellect. It's about developing new strategies, embracing independence, and knowing how to effectively utilize the vast resources available. Every learner, regardless of their academic profile, can thrive in college with the right toolkit, particularly when it comes to leveraging technology and understanding how to access accommodations. At TBG, we empower students to identify and utilize these essential tools. We would be delighted to help you create the ideal plan for your high school to college transition.
Our practical toolkit for all learners is designed for parents and students alike.
The College Academic Landscape: A New Approach
The shift from high school to higher education brings fundamental changes to the academic environment:
Increased Independence: You are expected to largely manage your own schedules, deadlines, and learning process. Professors provide some guidance, but the responsibility for learning rests squarely on the student.
Workload Shift: The volume of reading increases significantly, and the expectation and assumption is that you are doing the assigned reading in preparation for class. Class lectures and discussions may be related to the assigned reading, but won’t necessarily review the reading, so it is important that you monitor your own progress toward completion. Furthermore, you'll likely encounter fewer daily assignments that have to be handed in but face higher stakes for major projects, papers, and exams for which extensions are not given.
Proactive Learning: Unlike high school, where support might be offered, in college, the onus is on the student to proactively seek help, ask questions during office hours, and utilize available resources. Before arriving at college, find out what resources are available on your campus (eg, tutoring center, writing center, math center, learning strategy workshops, etc.). Once you arrive, spend some time in the first few days locating the offices where these resources are available.
Your Digital Toolkit for Academic Success
Technology isn't just for social media; it's a powerful ally in managing college academics for all learners.
Organization & Time Management Apps: These are indispensable for staying on top of varied syllabi and deadlines. Consider calendar apps like Google Calendar or Outlook Calendar to plot out your semester. Task managers such as Todoist or Asana can help break down large assignments, while Notion offers versatile project tracking. For note-taking, explore Evernote or OneNote, or GoodNotes/Notability if you prefer digital handwriting on an iPad.
Learning & Accessibility Technology: For many students, especially those with learning differences, accessibility tools are game-changers. Explore built-in text-to-speech and speech-to-text functions on your operating system, or dedicated programs like Google Read&Write and Dragon NaturallySpeaking. Mind mapping software like MindMeister or XMind can be invaluable for visual learners to organize complex ideas. Utilize digital textbooks with annotation tools, and consider noise-cancelling headphones for focused study in busy environments.
Collaboration Tools: College often involves group projects. Familiarize yourself with common collaboration platforms like Google Docs, Microsoft 365, and Zoom, which will be essential for team assignments.
Understanding & Accessing Accommodations in College
This is a critical area, especially for students with learning differences. The system shifts significantly from high school.
The Shift from High School: Unlike high school, where accommodations are mandated by IDEA, college accommodations fall under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This means that students are primarily responsible for disclosing their disability and advocating for their needs. Additionally, IEPs and 504 Plans expire when students graduate from high school. They are not used at the college level to determine support or accommodations for students.
Key Accommodations: Some common accommodations include extended time on tests and assignments, access to note-takers or lecture notes, reduced distraction testing environments, specific assistive technology, and the option for a reduced course load.
Timing: It can take several weeks for an accommodation request to be approved. Plan ahead and submit your request long before you arrive on campus so your accommodations are in place at the start of the semester.
The Process:
Step 1: Disclosure: The student must voluntarily disclose their learning difference to the college's Disability Services (or similar) office. This is usually done by submitting a form on the Disability Services page on the college website
Step 2: Documentation: Provide the required documentation, typically a comprehensive psychoeducational evaluation, to the disability services office. Check the requirements ahead of time, as many offices require specific testing that has been completed within three years of the accommodations request. Generally, high school IEPs and 504 Plans are not accepted as primary documentation.
Step 3: Meeting & Planning: Work collaboratively with the disability services staff to determine and approve appropriate accommodations based on your documentation and individual needs.
Step 4: Communication: Learn how to effectively communicate your approved accommodations to your professors each semester.
Beyond Accommodations: Campus Support Systems
College campuses offer a wealth of support services for all students. Knowing about them and how to use them is key to success.
Academic Advising: Connect with your academic advisor early and regularly. They are crucial guides for course selection, major exploration, and navigating academic policies.
Tutoring Centers & Writing Centers: These free resources are available to all students. Don't wait until you're struggling; utilize them to improve your understanding and polish your written work.
Peer Mentoring Programs: Many colleges offer programs where upperclassmen mentor new students, providing guidance on academic and social adjustments.
Counseling & Wellness Services: Many colleges offer counseling services that are vital for managing stress, anxiety, and other challenges that can impact academic performance.
Professor Office Hours: Build relationships with your professors early on. Attending office hours is a fantastic way to ask questions, clarify concepts, and demonstrate engagement.
TBG's Support in Navigating the Transition
At TBG, our experienced advisors understand that success in college for all learners comes from a holistic understanding of their own needs and knowing how to access the robust support systems available. We provide comprehensive support to families navigating these academic shifts, including understanding accommodation processes, identifying beneficial technologies, and connecting with valuable campus resources.
The transition from high school to college is a significant, yet ultimately rewarding, journey. By being proactive in building your digital toolkit, understanding how to access and utilize accommodations, and engaging with campus support systems, you empower yourself for greater academic success and personal growth. Embrace this new chapter, knowing that with careful planning and ongoing support, you are well-equipped to thrive in your college experience.