Disability Accessibility Meeting

On Thursday, I had a good meeting with my state’s VR department.  I have tried for years to get through college and have found it difficult due to my hearing disability.  I wouldn’t have, before now, admitted that my hearing disability was the cause of so much difficulty.  This time around, I really want to get into the engineering field and succeed at this degree.  I want to make sure that this works out well this time.

Filed under: College Education , College Education, Disability, Hearing Loss, Non-Traditional Student

Part Time or Full Time Work?

I have worked at my current full-time employment over 4.5 years.  It has been a good run, but I am considering reducing that to part-time work for the duration of my Engineering studies.

As I have been working on studying math after work, I am realizing that to handle a full course load, I will need more time available to study.  I want to complete my degree within four years.  I want to transition to my new career as quickly as possible.  The soonest this might occur may be in my Junior or Senior year as an intern at an engineering firm.

Filed under: College Education , College Education, Employment, Engineering Student, Non-Traditional Student

Lecturing to the Wall

This is a technique I read about in a study technique guide.  It is used to retain information and integrate it within your mind.

First, read your assignment quickly.

Second, read your assignment slower.

Third, read one page of your assignment slower. Take brief notes if you wish.

Fourth, close the textbook and rephrase the information on that one page in your own words — verbally, as if you are teaching the material to your own students.  If you’re not able to do so, you do not understand the material well enough.  Repeat until you’re able to express verbally in a lecture to the wall.

Filed under: College Education , Study Techniques

Utilizing Study Rooms

It has been so long since I have been in a classroom, that I have some difficulty sitting down and focusing on a textbook, reading and studying it.  Today, I remembered that the local public library has study rooms available to anyone.  I drove down there and got in about 5:15 or so and got into a room.  It is quite small, but well lit, with a student desk.  A door provides privacy.  There is even a lock on the door, so you can ensure that you won’t be interrupted.

I’ve been studying a general math textbook for the last couple weeks.  I have been studying this at home when I had some time.  But I haven’t been making a lot of progress with it.  This was mainly because there are too many distractions at home.  I am too accustomed to browsing the web, checking e-mail, news whenever the notion strikes.  I am also too accustomed to watching a bit of a movie, pausing it and moving on to the next thing.  I’m “multitasking” too much at home and as a result, nothing really gets done.

Filed under: College Education , College Education, Non-Traditional Student, Study Techniques

E-mail, Phones and Talking to the Right People at School

I have a tendency to favor e-mail instead of phones, because it is easier for me to communicate without missing words.  (I have a severe-to-profound hearing disability.)

I need to get a hold of the engineering department contact (who would probably be my adviser as well) and the Accessibility Department to arrange accommodation for my hearing disability.  I sent both of them e-mails a week ago and there has been no reply.  There could be a number of reasons for this: they could be on vacation, or they don’t check their e-mails often, particularly in the summer.  The campus, though, is open and they are running summer courses, so I’m guessing they haven’t seen the e-mails yet.

Filed under: College Education , College Education, Disability, Hearing Loss, Non-Traditional Student, Procrastination

Why Engineering?

Yes, I have decided.  I am returning to school to earn an engineering degree.  I am in my early thirties looking for a new gig and change of career.  I also have a significant hearing disability which will be interesting to try and work around in the classroom setting.

The responses I have gotten when I told family and friends of my intent to go back to school to get an engineering degree has been largely positive.  Some seemed to be surprised.  “That is a hard degree,” one person said.  I don’t doubt that it is challenging and I will need to stay focused and studious.  It is important to plan the course of studies well for the next four years and minimize distractions.

So why have I picked engineering as a career choice?

Filed under: College Education , College Education, Disability, Engineering Student, Hearing Loss, Non-Traditional Student