[nabs-l] College Readiness Tips

[Serena]

Hi Arielle

Maybe, my college wasn't typical because it was a rather small campus, but I 
think 2 of the "minimally" ideas should be "ideal" or not in there at all. 
Home management, I didn't have to cook at all, unless, you're counting 
heating up food in the microwave, which I highly doubt.  Most of my sighted 
friends went to the dining hall, as far as I knew.  Two friends of mine who 
had "dorm food" from their parents hated the dining hall food and their 
parents, and later, boyfriends, spoiled them rotten! lol  I didn't have to 
do any shopping on casmpus, either.  Mom brought me food I wanted, most of 
which, was really snacks.  The only real food was coffee flavored yogurt, 
nuts, and a special bread I doubt I would've found at the supermarket near 
my college.  As far as cane travel, I didn't have any familiarity with 
public transportation, but didn't have to use it independently at all in 
college.  The only time I ever used it was when I went on school-sponsored 
trips to New York City with my friends.

Serena


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Arielle Silverman" <arielle71 at gmail.com>
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list" 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, October 31, 2008 6:13 PM
Subject: [nabs-l] College Readiness Tips


> Hi Joe and all,
>
> Since a lot of the questions that blind high school students (and
> their parents and teachers) ask concern the skills that students
> should master before starting college, I think we may want to include
> some guidelines in  the high school tips part of the Web site
> describing what blindness skills are most essential for success in
> college and the goals that high school students should be held to in
> their blindness training. Here are my  suggestions for both "minimal"
> and "ideal" levels in each blindness skill area that I think high
> school students should strive for when preparing for college. This is
> just my opinion, though, so I welcome contributions or corrections
> from any of you. We can either try to incorporate this into the top
> ten list or set up a separate page dealing with this issue.
>
> Braille:
> Minimally, students should be able to take notes reliably either in
> hard-copy (paper) Braille or using a Braille notetaker, and be able to
> read the notes back later to use for studying.
> Ideally: Students should be proficient enough in Braille to be able to
> read a speech aloud in a class presentation.
>
> Computers:
> Minimally: Students should be able to use JAWS (or its equivalent)
> with basic word-processing, email and Internet programs.
> Ideally: Students should be able to use spreadsheet (i.e. Excel),
> PowerPoint programs (or their equivalents) and learn new programs on
> their own whenever possible.
>
> Travel:
> Minimally: Students should be able to get around their high school
> campus independently and efficiently (without being late, leaving
> class early, etc.) They should also be able to learn basic routes
> between their college classrooms and have some familiarity with public
> transportation systems in their hometown.
> Ideally: Students should be able to use appropriate techniques to
> orient themselves to a new campus or find new buildings on a campus
> they already know, as well as learn the layout of a new city and be
> able to travel to new places in the city in an efficient manner.
>
> Home Management/Daily Living:
> Minimally: Students should  be able to prepare a simple meal for
> themselves, do their own laundry, and shop with customer service (for
> groceries etc.)
> Ideally: Students should be able to prepare a romantic five-course
> meal for their significant other, and magically make their residence
> spotless the day after a party, at least when Mom and Dad are coming
> to visit!
>
> OK, so the last one is a bit of a stretch for many college freshmen
> (blind and sighted alike), but you get the idea!
>
> What does everyone think?
> Arielle
>
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