Utilizing Campus Resources

Accessing Available Campus Supports

Many students, particularly those who are new to the college, under-utilize the services and resources available to them.  Mentors play an important role in connecting students with other departments, helping  to seek out services that are needed, and encouraging the utilization of supports that will help them to be more successful. 

Although students with disabilities struggle with the same challenges and struggles that every other student does, many college students, particularly those who are new, have underdeveloped executive functioning skills.  Organization, management of work, problem-solving, and prioritizing tasks are all areas that will be  overly challenging for these students.  Mentors can be supportive in assisting the mentee to develop more effective strategies for accomplishing his/her academic and life goals.

Time management skills form the cornerstone for developing effective academic study skills.  It’s not surprising then, that students who struggle with time management also typically have difficulty with other study skills.  Some of the areas mentees may require assistance and support include:

• Help with prioritizing tasks
• Managing assignments and meeting due dates
• Note taking
• Test preparation
• Assistance with written assignments such as research papers
• Help with approaching and communicating with instructors
• Learning mnemonic and other information recall strategies
• Reading comprehension

Available campus resources that may help students to address issues related to executive functioning and/or other academic difficulties may include:

• The tutoring center for assistance with course-specific instruction or other study resources;
• The writing center to address written language-related issues and/or to improve writing skills;
• The math lab to receive content and study support for math courses and homework;
• Staff in the academic advising department to help with goal development, mapping of academic and educational plans, and monitoring of academic progress toward goal completion;
• Career Services to discuss career exploration, goal development, and education or career options;
• Personal and success counselor to assist students with adjusting to college life, dealing with personal and life stressors, and developing more effective coping strategies; and
• Disability Support Services for assistance and support in addressing disability and accessibility-related issues or concerns.