How to Be Successful in College: Neurodivergence in a Higher Education Setting
As high school comes to a close, many students begin to question how they will navigate the transition to college. For neurodivergent students, these concerns can be even more pressing. The shift from the structured support of high school to the greater independence expected in college can feel overwhelming. However, with the right tools and preparation, neurodivergent students can not only manage but excel in the challenges of higher education.
How College Programs for Neurodivergent Students Can Make a Difference
One key to achieving college success is ensuring that a student knows what will be expected, has practiced the necessary skills, and knows how to access available support systems when necessary. College programs that focus on helping neurodivergent students, specifically those transitioning to college after high school, can make a big difference in ensuring these students are prepared.
How Enrolling at Transitions Can Assist in College Preparation
The Transitions program is designed to support neurodivergent young people as they transition into adulthood. Whether they are enrolling in a year-long program or a more compact experience over a weekend or summer, students can take advantage of Transitions facilities, highly trained and experienced staff, and an evidence-based curriculum that is built around individual attention and training in critical life skills like time management and self-care. Enrolling in a Transitions program can offer the support that students and families need to transition to a more independent life in college and beyond.
Skill Building and Independence
College for neurodivergent students typically comes with a great deal more independence than they have experienced before. Whether they are living completely on their own or staying with family, Transitions’ neurodivergent students build skills to foster more and more independence over time. The Transitions college success curriculum supports students in developing social and academic skills to manage college course work as well as the skills to communicate with classmates, faculty, and college community members.
Time Management and Organizational Tools
Neurodivergent college students, along with many students who are neurotypical, often find that their time management and organizational skills are pushed to the limit in the college setting. Transitions helps students practice their time management skills and learn organizational methods for keeping their academic success on track, even in stressful moments.
Developing Self-Advocacy
In a college environment, neurodivergent students are expected to advocate for themselves. In the absence of previous types of support, such as an IEP, students must ask for the accommodation they need to be successful. A Transitions program gives neurodivergent young adults the opportunity to learn and practice self-advocacy in a safe environment with lower stakes, while also helping potential college students understand where to go and who to ask for the support they need.
Social and Emotional Practice
Families that decide to explore the college path program at Transitions gain access to resources that support students socially and emotionally as well as academically. Many instances of neurodivergence, including autism, are characterized by difficulties in communication and social interactions. Transitions offers a space filled with trained educators, peer support, and other students who have similar difficulties learning and practicing the social and emotional skills that will be helpful in developing rich, independent lives in college and beyond.
Opportunities in Higher Education for Neurodivergent Students
Like all students, neurodivergent students need guidance to be successful in college. Academic success, whether it’s achieved through traditional channels or college programs for neurodivergent students, can have a huge impact on a student’s future opportunities in and out of academia.
Academic Growth
Not only do college students learn facts, processes, and theories from their professors, they also learn how to learn and how to think critically. Being a lifelong learner allows students to adapt to new technologies, develop creative thinking skills, and improve their career and earning prospects. Opportunities in higher education for neurodivergent students also exist beyond undergraduate programs. In many cases, students go on to earn master’s degrees and PhDs.
Career Preparation
It is no secret that many jobs, even entry level positions, require the minimum of a bachelor’s degree. One recent study found that by 2031, 42% of jobs will require a four-year college degree. Indeed, people who earn a four-year degree are set up to earn nearly twice as much over their lifetimes as those who stop at high school. Earning a college degree in a field related to the career a student wants to pursue can either be extremely helpful or absolutely required.
At Transitions, we focus not only on helping students prepare for college or earn their degree but also on equipping them with the essential skills needed to secure a job in their desired career field. Additionally, we offer support in arranging internships, providing students with valuable hands-on experience and exposure to the workforce.
Personal Growth and Pride
Pursuing an education can be its own reward, particularly for neurodivergent students who may not have believed college was in the cards for them. Earning a degree can be a point of tremendous pride, representing the culmination of years of hard work, skill building, and self-advocacy.
Enroll in the College Path at Transitions
Neurodivergent students and their families who want the best resources for making the transition to college can enroll in a Transitions College Track Program. The criteria for admissions are straightforward — all applicants should have a diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, nonverbal learning disability, or other learning difference and be younger than 27 years old. Interested families can contact our team with any questions and plan a campus visit or in-person interview.
