Category: Cram Session
So I attended the rest of my orientation today for the college i'm attending. Registered to classes, got a whole bunch of info about all kinds of things like resources to use for help and getting involved from upper class students, got my apartment assignment, toured the place..sooo overwhelming! I got the name of my roommate today to. It's a 2 bedroom apartment on campus instead of the halls. I don't move in until the 20th, but curious to know who she is and it brings me to ask, to any of you who had roommates in college, did you get along with them? Were they weird? What were any problems you guys had and were they solved? How long did it take you to learn the campus? Were people helpful to you if you got lost?? fortunately there's only about 10000 maybe less attending and from what i heard it's pretty closeknit comunity and people are mostly nice, but i'm just worried about getting lost because if fully sighted students get lost all the time then i'm hoping to start training in august a few weeks ahead of time, because my sight is bad enough that i have to use a cane still and such. I'm taking some night classes because they didn't fit with the rest of my classes. sort of scared i could get killed going home lol. Nah, think i'll be all right. i'm taking 16 hours. it would have been 15 but i'm taking this stupid seminar class. my plan is to double major in criminal justice and psych and minor maybe in sociology or philosophy, but sstill have a lot of time while getting through my basics. I plan to take a few classes in the summer. I'd love to finish school in 3 and a half years or less, go through grad school and be done school forever by 25 with a masters in something or 2!...but doubt that'll happen lol. freshmans have to take these things called triads which is basically 3 classes with the same people. they said it's to make friends, study groups and connections and stuff. How about clubs and organizations? i'm thinking of joining some but not until i'm settled and comfortable. good way to make friends and get more things to put on a resume. I also want to join the fitness center at some point because you could even get a personal trainer. working on campus is also a possibility but again, if i even have time! me and my friend are hoping to have at least one class together, and talked about joining a sorority but we'll see. there was these other people who i was talking to since yesterday at the first day of orientation, and it'd awesome to have classes with them, but dunno, might never run into them again..I think it's awesome how much help is out there like peer tutoring, a writing center to help with papers etc etc etc. I left meeting a lot of nice people which is good because i only have one friend from high school who's going so that's good at least. there are a few other people i know from high school but we aren't really friends. Anyways!..stories, advice, opinions, thaughts? yeah i know this was a lot and rambled and scrambled and but yeah, lol. POST!!!
I will write more later for sure, but the first thing I would say is...try not to overestimate your abilities! It would be difficult to complete a degree for one major in four years, especially with the extra time it takes to work with readers and things of that nature, so double major in three?...College is soooooo different than high school! Freshman year, we had to take a class first semester to help us learn study skills and become oriented with the services on campus, so it sounds like your triads, except it was just one class. Good idea to begin O&M a few weeks in advance! Oh, and allow for plenty of time to get to and from classes. I don't know how much extra planning is necessary for strictly a blind person, but since I use either a walker or wheelchair when I go to classes, I always make sure I have at least ten minutes to get from one place to another, even if it would normally only take me three minutes. That's to allow for any unexpected things, and I find that, when I'm rushed and flustered, it's easier for me to get directions screwed up and lose track of where I'm going. College will sure be an experience, but it sounds like you have a handle on things. Congratulations on your decision to go to college. By the way, I'm a psych major, and next semester, I'm taking a forensics class, so shoot me an email or private qn if you have any philosophy/psychology/criminology questions or just need to talk college stuff.
Hi from a college grad.
Believe me, evey student that's started college has the same questions/thoughts as you if they'll admit them. I know I sure did. Just take it one step at a time, work hard, and have some fun.
Joining clubs/working on cmapus is a great idea, too. It gives you a chance ot make friends and meet people.
Just as an afterthought, you might want ot join the National Association of Blind Students list.
Its a list of blind college students that you can post questions/thoughts to.
the website for more info is:
http://www.nabslink.org/resources/discussion_group.shtml
College does seem overwhelming at first, but you'll love it once you get used to everything. I had a few friends from high school go to the same college that I do, so that helped a little bit, plus two friends I went to summer camps with, so it helped a little bit. I, too, had to take a freshman siminar class, but it was sooooo easy. I definitely got an A in it! As for timing to class, since I live on the other side of campus from where my classes are, it usually takes me about ten minutes to get to them, but I like to allow more, especially the first few days until I am sure I know where they are at. My campus has an O and M program, so there is no shortage of O and M students or teachers that are willing to help. Definitely going over where your classes are in advance is an awesome idea. I do that every semester, which definitely helps me. In fact, I was doing that last week, since I, too, am taking a summer class that starts tomorrow. Some people are helpfull, some are not. I have gotten lost several times because of bad help. As for roommates...I have gotten along with all of mine. Our college Web site has a roommate message feature where you can message your roommates, so you can get to know more about them. Plus, you can talk to them on facebook, IM, talk on the phone...whatever means you wish if your campus Web site does not have that option. My freshman year, my roommate was totally freaked out when she found out she was rooming with a blind person. Once we were in the room, it didn't take her long to figure out that I was just normal like everyone else and would only need help on a few things. Having a two bedroom apartment definitely helps. I live in a two bedroom dorm that is not classified as an apartment but sure feels like one. Getting involved is a great way to make friends and be involved in something. In fact, I found out about the sorrority I joined through one of my roommates who was a member of it. Do what makes you feel comfortable. I have several friends that decided halfway in their junior year to do a double major, and they will graduate on time. Sorry for the long post. If you have any questions, feel free tto message me or send me a quick note. What college are you going to?
Wow, you wrote a lot.
Get your O&M done as soon as possible, as often as possible, and as thoroughly as possible. Learn how to get to hot spots on campus even if you don't have any classes there yet, because it will make traveling and meeting up with people easier.
Look up your room mate on facebook if you have one, and you two can start chatting there. You're living with another person - that does not mean you have to be best friends or even remotely like each other, so long as you both respect each other in terms of study habits, cleanliness and privacy.
Most campuses have a club for mentally and physically disabled students, or at least a resource center for them: Use it to your full advantage and don't be afraid to ask questions. There should also be something like a general Student Association, whose members you can contact to find out about the events on campus.
If you don't feel comfortable walking to and from night classes alone, ask student services if they can get you an escort - there's definitely no shame in that, especially for the first couple weeks while you're getting used to the campus.
If you use a cane or any noticable accessibility equipment, be prepared for awkward and/or shy questions from other students - and learn to welcome them. You can find yourself meeting some wonderful people just by chatting with them after their initial curiosity is satisfied.
Best of luck!
SFA, think your name is fallin, A &M corpus. lol yeah i wrote a lot. thanks for the advice. there's more i was gonna reply to but i sort of have to go just now, but thanks for the link. i'll deff check it out. Facebooking sounds like a good idea if she even has one. I'm already in touch with disability office and have o and m next month before i go to canada for a few weeks. I'm sure it'll all fall into place, i just tend to pannick sometimes and it's all new and different so yeah.
I wanted to say thanks for all the advice that you have given. This will help me because I am starting college next year in the fall. I may be going to Wright State University, Capital University, or Otterbein college.
Hi! Well I am a sophomore in college and have been to 4 different colleges (well 3 counting the Junior College I'm at now) and last Semester I was at a smaller school and I lived in a dorm on campus, where as my freshman year I lived off campus but was at a junior college. (one of the few that actually have housing!) the experiences I had were very different. The University I went last Semester where I lived on campus I did have a roommate, and we couldn't even facebook each other cause I switched my dorm assignment right after orientation on campus, so we didn't know each other at all! (the girl that she wanted to room with no longer goes to the University) so I got stuck with her. And she met me after I came back from a new students welcome trip. But she didn't even know that I was blind until I came into my room. She wasn't shocked at all or wasn't like I'm not living here with you cause your blind- which was a good thing! But we did get along, although we weren't friends- we'd have the occational conversation, but that's about it. As far as making friends goes, yes definitely get involved! I will be starting at a bigger University out of state- and I definitely will be living on campus and in the dorms there as well. And of course getting involved! I also did rush for a sorority last semester but only got picked by one- but I didn't accept because I wasn't really a fan of the house or/and the girls there. But I definitely will rush in the Fall semester.
Interesting topic,
Amber.
It is amazing that you are so enthusiastic! I finished my undergrad in 4 years after changing my major 4 times and attended 2 colleges. You have to set up your program plan to map out your classes to see if it’s possible to finish your undergrad with a double major in such short time.
I would also suggest shooting your instructors an e-mail to inform them of your visual impairment so they can address any questions with you at the beginning of the semester. Don’t be afraid to do whatever you want as long as you have a logical plan to accomplish it.
I’m finishing grad school in a year b/c I got into the accelerated program for my field of study. It’s possible to complete your masters before you are 25. I have faith that you will as long as you balance your time and activities. I will have my master at 27 b/c I took 3 years off. So I could have been finished before 25 if I went streight through.
There are a bunch of books out now called the "Real U guide" books.
I plan to buy them all for my daughter when she's closer to college, that's what she gets having a nerd for a dad ... lol seriously though, they're short, concise and pretty easy read. We never had any of that but as folks have said the more you know the better.
They cover your first apartment, moving out, all sorts of things you're gonna need and as I said they're on Web Braille at least, if not Bookshare.
hi there,
there is possible to do double degree in 4 years, there fore, i don't see why you can't do double major in 3 years. however, keep in mind, it will take alot of your time more than you realize to start with, and it might easier to be burn out than what you first think.
your combination of majours and minor are great, it give you a solert foundation in most area, but, might be helpful to ask yourself what you hope to be ones you finish your study. going thru to post grad, or working, if working in what area. if you wanting to work with something that is related with chriminal justers and psychology, you might want to look closely to major in forensic psychology. this is a specialty area that deal with chrime and psychology.
it is great that you live on campus. try to enjoy yourself as much as you can in the college activities such as clubs and societies, while you are studying. it is all about the belance. most employer nowadays, not only wanting their employees to look good academicly, but also, to have life experience, and other skills such as communication, problem solving, and all sort.
as far as your degree goes, i'll suggest you communicate closely with your disability support officer or whatever they called there, and have a sollert access plan for your program. double major is great, but can be too much as well. as one of the poster said, take a step at the time, and see how you feel with it. and constently asking yourself if that is what you want to do.
as a double degree study with multiple majors, i can speak from experience that it is time consuming, and constently under stress of assignments, exams, and all sort. first year is all right, but when you get to second, third and final year, your work load will be extreme, you might have up to 4 or 6 due dates in a week. this sin't to scare you away, just to, prepare you i suppose.
good luck.
keep us update with your progress
In terms of roommates, I had probably the worse roommate in my first year of college. I originally thought he was just a quiet and shy person at first, but I soon realized that it was just me he was like that around. He helped me out at first, but then he started making excuses and finally just stopped all together. We then barely spoke and we were lucky if we even said hey to each other.
It was definitely oquard and I am glad I got out of that kind of oquardness.
I was screwed over with one of my profs. They had miss calculated my final grade. Instead of an a, they put a d. It was a long process appealing the grade and I had to include my academic adviser, and the chairman of the department of computer science from my college before the grade was amended. It was a serious headache and really had to battle to get my correct grade. you really must learn to advocate for yourself, and speak out if they miss treat u or don't give you your grade.
i'm ststarteing the process of school. smiles.
Well it's been 20 years or thereabouts since I've been at college, but here are my thoughts:
If the colleges have O&M instructors nowadays definitely use one. But what I would suggest is you use their services to give you the best overall picture of the place. That is really helpful, and I have to say I've had occasions when I was a teenager where one was able to give a really good overview of a campus in an hour. Frankly, I'm not sure I could do that.
But anyway some of you were saying you wanted to find out where each class is. I think you're making it more difficult for yourself if you do. Get someone to show you the numbering system, tell you the approximate length of the hallways where appropriate, and the main arteries, just like you have asked them to show you a city.
Just like when you're shown a city, you'll be able to use those points of reference whenever you are trying to get places. Plus, if they show you the general sense, you can take direction from anyone, plus get from here to there even with your senses dulled ... by too much study or of other things.