[nabs-l] Freshman year

Wed Jul 18 01:33:34 UTC 2012

Hi Katie,

How fun to have another Katie on the list:) I see that others have
already written with plenty of good advice, which I hope you found
helpful. I agree that, while there are certainly some ignorant people
in college (or anywhere else, for that matter), college peers are
generally much more accepting than high school students. I didn't have
very positive experiences in high school either, but I was able to
find a group of wonderful friends in college and consider those four
years one of the most rewarding times in my life (I'm now  a graduate
student). As others have said, self-advocacy skills are extremely
important for academic success in college, and establishing yourself
as an independent, capable person is the first step toward building a
fulfilling social life. I usually don't say much about my blindness
when I first meet people, but if they are genuinely interested and
have questions about how I accomplish different tasks after we get to
know each other a bit, I'm always happy to share my experiences.

Best of luck with the start of your freshman year, and feel free to
email me  personally if you have any specific questions.

Katie

On 7/17/12, Patrick Molloy <ptrck.molloy at gmail.com> wrote:
> Katie,
> Having just finished my freshman year this past May, I can tell you
> that people are very accepting for the most part. Once you show people
> that you're just as capable as they are, your actions will speak for
> themselves. True, people will be watching you more than they would a
> person with sight. But you have to use that as a way to educate them.
> When people ask you questions on campus about how you do this or that,
> take it in stride. That's actually how I met my best friend: I was
> walking down campus going to a building and he came up and asked me
> how I knew where I was or something like that. We had a great
> conversation and things just rolled from there. Feel free to send me
> an e-mail off list if you have any questions as things come up.
> Patrick
>
> On 7/17/12, Joshua Lester <jlester8462 at students.pccua.edu> wrote:
>> LOL!
>> That's a good one!
>> I also quote Fanny Crosby and tell them that one good thing about
>> blindness, is that I never have to see the clouds in the sky.
>> Blessings, Joshua
>>
>> On 7/17/12, Sophie Trist <sweetpeareader at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> When people first find out about my blindness, I always point out
>>> that I will never have to pay a speeding ticket. I also joke that
>>> God short-changed me in the vision department, but I won't be
>>> asking for a refund any time soon. Haha. I find that if you act
>>> like it's no big deal, other people will feel that way too.
>>>  ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: Liliya Asadullina <lily2011a at gmail.com
>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>> Date sent: Tue, 17 Jul 2012 19:21:08 -0400
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Freshman year
>>>
>>> And I agree about adding in humour.
>>>
>>> On 7/17/12, Liliya Asadullina <lily2011a at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>  Hi Katie,
>>>  My name is Lily and I am going to be a freshmen in college as
>>> well.  I
>>>  understand you have had bad experiences in high school, after
>>> telling
>>>  people that you are blind.  I have dealt with a few myself.  As
>>> far as
>>>  I have heard from some of my blind and sighted friends who are
>>> already
>>>  in college, they say that people are more accepting in college.
>>> It's
>>>  more of a time when people our age or around our age learn to
>>> grow up.
>>>   Of course you will not meet all mature people, but just be
>>> yourself
>>>  and tell them that you can't see.  Express to them that even
>>> though
>>>  you are blind, you can still accomplish as much as they can.
>>> Get
>>>  involved with a few extra curricular activities and prove to
>>> them that
>>>  you are an independent, and smart individual.  The most you can
>>> do is
>>>  educate them about blindness and be outspoken.  You will have to
>>> get
>>>  out of your comfort level, but I am sure by the end of your 1st
>>>  semester you wil have a good sullection of caring friends.
>>>  Another thing, make sure you advicate for yourself in class and
>>> where
>>>  ever you choose to go outside of the academic area.  For
>>> example, I am
>>>  emailing my professors ahead of time and letting them know that
>>> I am
>>>  blind, but that I have the capability just like anyone else to
>>> get my
>>>  work done and learn.  I will explain to them how I will be
>>> taking
>>>  notes in class and what kind of tecchnology I'll be bringing
>>> with me.
>>>  I will be meeting with my professors a week before classes
>>> begin, and
>>>  will be asking them if they have any questions for me.
>>>  Outside of class, just reassure your peers if they have any
>>> questions
>>>  for you about blindness to feel free to ask.
>>>  Like I said, just be yourself and make the most out of your
>>> year.
>>>  Be confident in you!  You've got this!
>>>  College is full of diversity and if someone does not accept you
>>> for
>>>  who you are and because of your blindness or lack of some
>>> vision, then
>>>  they aren't worth being friends with...
>>>  People come to college from all different areas around the world
>>> and
>>>  each student has something unique about them.   So just reach
>>> out to
>>>  those around you and show them that no matter what, you can
>>> succeed.
>>>  I understand what you are going through in your mind though.
>>>  I am saying this to you, but at the same time I am nervous for
>>> college as
>>>  well.
>>>  Beeing that I had some blind skills training at the Colorado
>>> Center
>>>  For The blind though, I do feel more confident about going to
>>> college
>>>  and in myself too.
>>>  Also, I am not as nervous to be dorming with a random room mate
>>> away
>>>  from my home town and family.
>>>  Good luck with starting this fall, I believe that you will do
>>> well!
>>>  If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email me any
>>> time
>>>  at: Lily2011a at gmail.com.
>>>  Or my school email: lasadull at masonlive.GMU.edu
>>>  Cheers!
>>>  Liliya
>>>
>>>  On 7/17/12, Katie Cl <katminecce at yahoo.com> wrote:
>>>  Hi my name is Katie and I am going to be a freshman in college
>>> this fall.
>>>  I
>>>  was wondering how other people handled telling others they
>>> couldn't see.
>>>  In
>>>  high school I had a bad experience and don't want it to happen
>>> again. Any
>>>  advice would be helpful.
>>>  THANKS
>>>
>>>  <3 Princess Cy-I <3
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