Self-advocacy is the ability to articulate your needs and make informed decisions about the supports you need to overcome specific barriers.

Know Yourself

The first step in self-advocacy is to know yourself.  You need to understand your disability and how it affects your ability to learn in a college environment. Learn to recognize your barriers to learning.  Accommodations are available based on your specific needs and barriers. It is beneficial for you to understand how the accommodations can provide you with the support to overcome your specific barriers.

Try using a learning style test, this helps you understand your specific type of learning style.

Have Goals

Know what you want to accomplish during your time at S&T.  Write down your personal goals and why they matter to you.  Develop a plan on how you want to achieve those goals, you can include steps like studying; find a tutor; join a student organization, or eat healthier.  Having a plan helps you to evaluate your progress while working towards your goals.

Communication

Effective communication is key to self-advocacy.  Learning to speak up for yourself and your needs can improve your learning environment.  Students are encouraged to initiate contact with their instructors to discuss the accommodations listed on their Faculty Notification Letter. Students are also encouraged to ask questions when needed and seek out a support network.  You can find resources such as study groups, tutoring, and support groups around campus. https://www.mst.edu/students/

It is important for you to understand your rights and responsibilities.  Please visit the Student Accessibility and Testing office if you have any questions or concerns.

Online learning can create new challenges and expectations.  Here are 5 tips to help you be successful.

Stay Organized

Set up a dedicated area for you to use as your learning environment. This space should be a comfortable workstation with access to items you need to study. Keep this area clean and organize items not needed.

Time Management

Online classes can create a new sense of flexibility in your scheduling. Use your time wisely to ensure you are set up for success based on your schedule, learning style, and personality.  Plan your weekly calendar with tasks such as reading, completing assignments, and studying.  

Printed syllabi and calendars with important dates can be helpful to keep track of deadlines and goals.

Limit Distractions

Phones, social media, and gaming systems can be a big distraction.  Consider turning off your phone or other devices that cause distractions during your time-block you have set up to study.  If you are unable to resist temptations try downloading a website blocker. These can disable applications for set time periods. 

Take Breaks

It is important to give yourself breaks during the day.  Online classes may increase your use of screen time, this can cause fatigue, headaches, and blurred vision. Schedule breaks into your calendar to give your body and eyes a break. 

You can reduce the blue lights on your computer to eliminate brightness.

Windows: Select Start > Settings > System > Display > Night light settings.

Apple: Choose Apple menu > System Preferences > Displays > Night Shift tab.

Resources

You are not alone in taking online courses.  Feel free to reach out to your professors or classmates. The campus also offers lots of resources, visit https://keeplearning.mst.edu/students/ for a full list of student services and support available at Missouri S&T.

Test anxiety can interfere with your performance, you may experience nervousness, upset stomach, or racing heart rate.  Try some of these suggestions below to improve your wellbeing during tests:

Before the Test

The best practice is to prepare in advance for a test.  Good study sessions should mimic your test conditions, study in a quiet environment, and create yourself a mock exam (or use one provided by your instructor) as a way to get more comfortable taking tests.   

Avoid cramming before a test, instead, take the few days before an exam to study.  Get a good night's sleep and ensure to eat a meal or snack before the exam begins.

Know when and where the exam is scheduled to be.  Try and arrive about 10 minutes before the exam.  This gives you time to check-in and settles your nerves.  Take a few moments to yourself and remember to breathe.

Use positive affirmations, like “I got this or I am prepared for the test” and avoid negative thoughts. 

During the Test

Read the exam carefully, this includes any instructions and all questions. Slow down and pay attention to the questions and information on the exam, you do not want to jump to false conclusions when reading.

It can be helpful to first read through all the questions (if applicable).  Some questions may be easier to answer than others.  If you are able to answer the ones you feel comfortable with first, this may leave you with more time to answer the other.

If you have time when you have finished answering all the questions be sure to review all your answers.  Make sure you didn’t miss any questions.

Here is a helpful video and information on more test-taking tips https://collegeinfogeek.com/revision-test-taking-tips/

Use these tips for managing your time well so you can get the most out of your experience at Missouri S&T:

Stay Organized

Keeping your work organized can save you time throughout your day/week.  Use binders or separators to keep your classroom handouts/assignments organized.

Make a To-Do List

Prioritize your list in order of their priority level.  More immediate actions should be at the top.  Try using the Eisenhower Matrix of prioritizing tasks by their importance and urgency. https://www.eisenhower.me/eisenhower-matrix/

Use a calendar

Using a calendar can help to remember important dates for assignments and exams.  Here are different types of calendars to keep you organized:

Individual Course Planner Use for planning week-by-week assignments, activities, goals, and resources needed for each class

Weekly Schedule Planner Use to view your weekly schedule of classes, times, and locations for all your classes

Establish Routine

Getting into a routine can help reduce the uncertainty that can cause unnecessary stress. Create a routine at the beginning of the semester. Schedule time you want to study and try and stick to your plan.  Don’t forget to include breaks and personal time!

Avoid multitasking

Focus on one thing at a time. You should schedule your task to focus on one project at a time.  Remove distractions, such as TV, games, or your phone. 

Use campus resources for further help!

The Student Success Center is here help provide coaching, mentoring and tutoring. Visit them at https://ssc.mst.edu/

Students with accommodations through Student Accessibility and Testing (SAT) may find that testing organizations offering professional certification or graduate entrance exams may not provide the same accommodations as Missouri S&T.

Requirements to receive exam accommodations will vary between testing organizations. Students should look at the requirements well in advance (6 months to a year) of scheduling an exam. Particular attention should be paid to documentation requirements.

Student Accessibility and Testing may be able to create a letter to verify the accommodations you received while at Missouri S&T or complete a form for a testing organization. Sometimes completing these forms will require that SAT to verify that the documentation on file with our office meets specific criteria. If the documentation we have on file does not meet the required criteria, we will be unable to complete the form.

Students should communicate directly with the testing organization regarding accommodations for professional certification or graduate entrance exams.

To request an accommodation letter or verification form, please contact Student Accessibility and Testing at dss@mst.edu.