By Susan Gadegone
Living with a learning disability presents unique challenges, particularly when one chooses not to utilize available disability resources. For many, the accommodations offered can feel stigmatizing or incompatible with personal learning styles. For me, I tried learning accommodations, but they didn’t help me. This blog post is going to cover my experience of navigating college with an auditory processing disorder without relying on learning accommodations, while also managing mental health issues and striving to maintain a work-life balance.
The Challenges of an Auditory Processing Disorder
Auditory processing disorder affects the way the brain processes auditory information, making it difficult to understand and interpret sounds. This can be particularly challenging in a college setting, where lectures, discussions, and oral instructions are the norm. Without accommodations, students with APD must develop alternative strategies to succeed academically.
Mental Health and the Academic Journey
In addition to APD, managing a mental health diagnosis adds another layer of complexity to the college experience. Mental health issues can impact concentration, motivation, and overall well-being, making it harder to keep up with academic demands. Balancing mental health with the pressures of school requires a mindset of I’m going to go with the flow, the ups and downs, and understanding putting one's health first.
Choosing to not use disability services is a personal preference
It took me two years using learning accommodations in class to realize I was not benefiting from them. I got extra time on tests, but I still did not get enough in class time to learn material enough to excel on the tests. I got a note taker, but I didn’t know how to use the notes to my advantage. While auditory processing was a diagnosis, I also had difficulty holding on to information so I could articulate what I was learning.
So, over the last 12 years I have come up with my own tools to learning concepts, and they do not work all the time.
I would have rather had some form of accommodation that included more time with a professor, more hours with a private tutor, and a few days extra to submit assignments, but none of these were options.
One of the most significant lessons learned from navigating college with APD without resources is the importance of self-advocacy and understanding that it is up to you to navigate through classes, find resources, and do the hard work to work toward graduating.
Adaptability and Creative Problem-Solving
Living with APD without accommodations necessitates adaptability and creative problem-solving. Students must constantly find new ways to overcome auditory challenges, whether through technology, alternative study methods, or environmental modifications.
Resilience and Perseverance
The journey through college with a learning disability and mental health challenges is undoubtedly tough, but it also builds immense resilience and perseverance. Each obstacle overcome is a testament to a student's determination and strength. This resilience is not only crucial for academic success but also for personal growth and future endeavors. It instills a sense of confidence and the belief that one can overcome any challenge with the right mindset and effort.
The Mission to Graduate
Despite the challenges, the mission to graduate college remains a powerful motivator. The desire to achieve academic success and the knowledge that a degree can open doors to future opportunities drive students to push through difficulties.
During my journey, I have had to change my definition of academic success. Because it is hard to get a good grade in some classes, I have chosen to rate academic success on the amount of work I put into a class, doing extra research about a topic, and being committed to staying on track with due dates. It is not easy to have auditory processing and mental health struggles in life, and it has unfortunately contributed to grades at times that feel deflating.
Putting in a week of work studying for a test and getting a D or C makes one feel like they are unable to learn concepts.
I have learned that the way school is designed, it is not designed for my learning style.
Conclusion
Navigating college with an auditory processing disorder, mental health issues, and without utilizing disability resources is a formidable challenge. However, it is also a journey of growth, learning, and self-discovery. The mission to graduate is not just about earning a degree; it is about proving to oneself that with determination and hard work, anything is possible. Sometimes a person has to choose the harder route that in the long run is most beneficial.
