STRATEGIES AND PRE-PLANNING ACTIVITIES

Strategies to Effective and Efficient Learning

In addition to accommodations, effective and efficient approaches to learning are key to the academic success of students with disabilities.

Learning Style

• What is your learning style? Knowing your style and adjusting your study habits accordingly could pay off in mastering any subject you are studying. No one learning style is inherently better than another. Each has advantages and drawbacks, depending on what you're trying to learn.  You can make learning easier and more enjoyable by adapting what you want to know to your learning style
  To determine your learning style or to learn more about your style, go to this website and complete one or more of the assessments provided. In addition, be sure to read about the study strategies associated with your unique learning style. 

Study Skills

• Now that you are more familiar with your learning style and related strategies, go to the website titled Study Skills Self-help Information. This site is a virtual gold-mine. It includes ideas that will make any learner more efficient and effective.

Pre-Planning Activities to Help You Get Started at BHSU

• Become familiar with Black Hills State University (website, preview day, catalog).
• Make initial contact with the Coordinator of Disability Services. Share general disability information and accommodation need area(s).
• Complete the BHSU application and admissions paperwork.
• Update and compile thorough documentation of your disability (case manager, counselor, agency representative, physician, psychologist, psychiatrist).
• Complete all necessary releases of information.
• Attend a scheduled New Student Orientation day at BHSU. Meet with the Disability Services Liaison on that day.
• Schedule a planning meeting with the Disability Services Liaison prior to or during the first two weeks of the semester.
• Provide the Coordinator of Disability Services with thorough documentation of your disability. The documentation should include how your disability will affect you academically. It should also include professional recommendations for your accommodation(s).

Planning Meeting

• Review your documentation with the Coordinator of Disability Services and determine appropriate accommodations.
• Determine supports needed in addition to accommodations.
• Complete referrals.
• Complete accommodation and academic planning paperwork.

Follow-up

• Present accommodation paperwork to your professors prior to or during the first two weeks of the semester.
• Follow through on referrals.
• Schedule follow-up appointments with the Coordinator of Disability Services at least once per month to discuss how well your accommodations are working.