Preparing for Post-Secondary: Part Three

Have you been accepted to a post-secondary educational institution? Congratulations! Now what? 

Part Three: Transitioning to a New Schedule

Transitioning to post-secondary education will be a different experience for everyone. It is important for individuals with diagnosed or suspected learning differences to be proactive in preparing for this new experience.

Unlike high school, university schedules tend to be more flexible and require higher personal responsibility. By now, you should have registered for your courses and have a good idea of what your schedule will look like.

Prepare

1. Start getting physically accustomed to the schedule and establish healthy habits as soon as possible to reduce the fatigue you may feel when your program starts. 
2. Ensure you get enough sleep, nutritious meals, and regular physical activity. 

Create a Calendar

1. Familiarize yourself with your course schedule and post it somewhere you can see it often.
2. Identify any of your fixed commitments, including classes, labs, tutoring sessions, and other extracurricular activities.
3. Include these, study sessions, and time for completing assignments in your calendar.
4. Do not forget to include downtime – avoid burnout!
5. Digital calendars or planner apps can help visualize your schedule and set reminders.  

Time Management

1. Get familiar with how to prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance. 
2. Learn how to break down larger projects into smaller, manageable tasks and set deadlines for each smaller task. 
3. Setting aside time to study and work on assignments makes you more likely to avoid procrastination. 
4. Time management techniques such as the Pomodoro Technique can also be helpful. 

Direction

1. Mapping your route can be helpful if you live close to your school.
2. Schools often offer guided tours that can be useful in learning your way around. 
3. By figuring out the location of your classes, the library, writing centres, the accessibility centre, and other services before the semester starts, you can reduce stress when you begin your new school year. 

University schedules can be dynamic, with unexpected changes and challenges. Embrace change as an opportunity for growth and develop resilience to overcome setbacks. Remember that transitioning to the university schedule is a learning process, and it may take time to find the routine that works best for you. By embracing the opportunities and challenges of the university schedule, you’ll set yourself up for a fulfilling and rewarding academic journey. 

Have more questions about preparing for a new schedule? Please email us! 

Learn more about RISE Now for ages 18+. We can help you achieve your learning, education or employment goals!

This post is part three of a five-part series on preparing for post-secondary education with a learning difference; Part One: Accessibility Services, Part Two: Registering for Courses, Part Four: Reading your Program Calendar and Finding Resources, Part Five: Reading your Syllabus and Talking to your Instructors.

– Becky Bishop, Lead Instructor and Adult Program Manager

LDS is a community of dedicated professionals who write collaboratively. We recognize the contribution of unnamed team members for their wisdom and input.