Current Juniors Beginning to Plan for College

It is April, and current seniors are busy finalizing their college choices.  It is now time for current juniors to start thinking about preparing for their college plans.  If you are a student on the autism spectrum or have learning differences that may require additional support in college, it is not too early to really start looking at what is ahead.  Some things to consider are your areas of interest academically, and the location of a school that would be a fit for you regarding weather, closeness to home, access to transportation, etc.  Add to that list the size of a school that might work with your learning style, and the cost considerations in attending public versus private colleges.  There are many more aspects to consider.  This self survey from Steven Antonoff is a great way to start to better understand what you should look for in a college as you begin this process. http://schoolbuff.com/self-survey.asp

In addition to this survey, spend some time considering the unique planning needs for students on the autism spectrum.  This article does a great job in delineating helpful points in a “Do” and “Don’t” format.  One “Do” that I like in particular is to find motivation.  When students are motivated towards a specific area of study or to the college environment in general, it can make a big difference in getting through the process.  One “Don’t” that I appreciate is “don’t avoid overwhelming choices”.  It is easy to get overwhelmed in this process, so know that going into it and have a plan with parents and teachers to support you.  Use your voice to get the support you need to make this process work for you.