[nabs-l] A question about something my rehab counselor said

[Arielle Silverman]

Hi Sami. I received similar advice before starting college, and I
ignored it. Instead, I asked my advisor for all freshmen at my
university (not blind students, just freshmen in general) to give me
advice, and based on her advice, I took four classes my first
semester, which was still full-time (14 credits). I had a science lab
and a language course, so if I hadn't had the science lab, I probably
would have taken five. I did fine and after my first semester, I took
five courses my second semester. I always took between 13 and 17
credits, which is a typical course load that will allow you to
graduate on time.
I think you should follow your gut and what you feel is right for you
rather than what an outsider thinks. Remember that many students,
blind and sighted alike, aren't prepared for college when they start.
This is why they have trouble, not because of blindness but because
they aren't prepared. Your counselor probably knows students who were
unprepared.
Your counselor should not have the authority to punish you if you
decide not to follow his advice. In fact, from VR's point of view, it
is probably easier to fund you as a full-time student than as a
part-time one.
Best, Arielle

On 7/28/16, Sami Osborne via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I'd really like to get your opinions on something that my rehab
> counselor said just today.  I'll be starting college in
> September, and we were discussing the possibility of him funding
> me for the different bills that need to be paid per semester or
> year.
>
>  He said something that I found really strange, although some of
> you may disagree with me.  Even though I'm already registered for
> classes and have a full schedule for the semester (five classes
> during the week,) he suggested that maybe I should drop a fouple
> of them and take a reduced amount of credits, at least this first
> semester.  His reasoning is that he thinks it might be too much
> for me, and apparently, other blind college students whom he has
> worked with have done this.  Although my counselor is generally a
> very accommmdating man, I personally disagree with him on this.
> Numer one, I don't find five classes to be too much at all,
> because that's the average of most college students, whether
> blind or sighted, and number two, I have many breaks in between
> my classes, especially on Tuesdays and Thursdays, where I have
> one class in the morning and don't have another one for 6 and a
> half hours! I'm also a person who really enjoys learning new
> things, and also, I believe that this is not something that a
> rehab counselor should be telling their clients, although you
> guys can tell me what you think.  This is very strange in my
> opinion.
>
> I hope that you guys can give me some advice as to what your
> opinions are on this matter.  Oh, and one more thing, what would
> you suggest I do if I tell him that I don't want to drop anything
> and he keeps on insisting?
>
> I really hope you guys can help me, and have a happy end of July!
> :(
>
> Thanks so much,
>
> Sami
>
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