HELP!!!

What about making a day to day journal on all your “LD” challenges and solutions. Maybe that would count for extra credit. Consider being an advocate for the disabled. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could push a button and your disability would go away? Unfortunately it Won’t. Just realize that you can get there but it may take you longer. You may have to work twice as hard but you may end up knowing twice as much. I’m an old fart and I’ve struugled with various learning impairments for many many years. I have not been able to accomplish what I want but so what I won’t give you any of that happy horse poop about Churchill having dyslexia or Beethoven being deaf. Just figure out what you are capable of doing. See if the help is available. Then go for it. Don’t party too much because you won’t have time. Work very very hard and exploit the system for your benefit. Don’t worry about failing because those who have never failed have never tried. Be a thorn in the side of voc rehab. I’m not a big fan of psychology as it is less than scientific. Learn how the brain works. Start with the work of Alfred Luria. I think Freud and Skinner were well meaning but their theories are wrong . The brain is what makes us tick and holds the answers to your LD. Good luck BALL

Your degree is a lot less important than what you learn getting it. A psych degree is harder but gives you better opportunities. A really important question to ask is whether the stuff you’re having trouble with is stuff you’d have trouble with on the job, too. There are some things that you cna take extra time, and learn, maybe learn a different way and then you know them and can use the knowledge and the skill. Therea re other things that you just have to survive in college and you never see again. There are other parts of LDs that can keep tripping you up, again and again and again, and it doesn’t matter how many times you swear you are going to get better at it, it doesn’t improve.

The key is to find a job that doesn’t make you do the stuff that would keep tripping you up or, at least, has a way of managing it. If you have serious trouble w/ working wiht authorities and people telling you what to do and how to do it, with the proper paperwork, then a school wouldn’t be a good place to work. On the other hand, if you like structure and clear directions it could be a great place!

If you go for an easier degree then you want to make up for the academic part of your resume with knowledge from experience. Get out and find businesses that do what you would do already and get an internship set up there. Invent the position if you have to — go to a school and talk to them about an internship. Then you can get “independent study” hours, which shows you’ve got creativity and initiative, and the school gets help.

I think Ball came up with a really good idea—journaling what you struggle with in your daily life and, if possible, how you resolved it or what solution there is to the problem. As I’ve stated in past postings, I’ve never understood my LD, so a journal would help.

Wendy, as for your question: I think either psychology or Social Work might be okay. I majored in psychology, but almost wished I’d studied social work. I’m no academic counselor, but if you chose psychology, you could always get a Masters in social work. They have foundation courses for those who did not study Social Work at the BA level. On the other hand, if social work is what you really want to do, you could go right in at the BA level and continue for your MSW. In fact, many schools have “advanced standing” programs for those who already did the BSW.

Your best bet might be to go to your college career center and talk to somebody there about your ideas and they could probably point you in the right direction. You could even discuss it with whoever is helping you with the LD issues, since they know more where your LD might affect you in a job. I sure wish I had that in college. It was all academic—I wish I’d known to maybe ask about the transition to work given my multiple problems.

Keep your chin up and good luck!!

Christine

Dear Wendy,
Well, your not alone. So many people have the same problem, whether they have a disability or not. I also have LD’s and ADD, and I am finishing graduate school. I work with children who don’t nessecarily have LD’s but are either 2nd language learners and or underachievers and find it extremely rewarding! My graduate degree will be in School Based Family Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy. In ever recieved much help when I was in school and had horrible experiences. So, I felt this concentration would be perfect for me. There are many options out there, take your time, see what feels right for you.
I am 35 and it took me many years to get up the courage to start my college career, but time and life experiences were worth the wait. Because you seem to be a very sensitive person and want to help others, and that your choice is very important; is the first step to making a choice. Remember whatever you choose does not have to be permanant! I had three majors before I decided Psychology for my BA.

It will come to you, but try not to be impatient. You’ll make the right choice when you feel it’s right. :)

Wendy,

I would not suggest that you abandon college all of a sudden. I think your best bet right now would be to stay where you are since they are helpful. The college experience will not only help you to learn more about what you want to do, refining your options, etc., and how to accomplish your dreams as well as continuing to learn more social skills as time goes by. Believe it or not, college also tells people that you can “stick with something” for more than a yr. or so. Take advantage of all the resources that your school has to offer. I would reccomend that you look into the possibility of getting a double major in Psychology and Social Work which will give you a more diverse background.

I also went to a great private university, where I was respected and was helped along the way into developing what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I came to know that I to wanted to help children and went on to complete my Master’s degree in Recreation, emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation.

Hope this helps,
Maria

Good advice!

Maria, i have a question. I saw you suggest a double major in Psychology and Social Work. Do you know if a person, after graduating with one degree, can go back years later and add coursework to create a second major? Sorry, I know that doesn’t make sense, I’m just trying to see what my options are. I fell off track and want to get back on!!

Thanks and good luck to Wendy!

Christine

Christine,

I’m pretty sure that you can go back and get another degree because the university where I went to forgot to advise me that I needed another course for an double major and so I had to take an extra class after I already walked through commencement. It wasn’t that big of a deal for me since I was taking my graduate pre-req. courses there and just added the extra Psy. course I needed. I must caution you that if you do decide to do it that way (the situation that happened to me) then you must remember to get your complete transcript and not just up to your commencement. You also need to complete your second degree within 10 yrs. of the time you went to school the first time so you won’t have to all previous coursework over again - you’ll just have to take the major courses that pertain to the degree you are seeking. To make sure, check with your school’s registrar and your advisor as well.

By the way, your question wasn’t off the wall at all … I think it was a good question and admire you for wanting to go back and finish what you once started. Good luck and keep up the good work.

Hope this helps,
Maria