ADS Student Testimonials

So last semester I was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactive disorder, or better known as ADHD, because I have trouble concentrating. Sometimes I have difficulty sustaining my attention for long periods of time, especially on exams. Oh, and I love extraneous stimuli, so because of all of this, I receive academic accommodations and let me tell you: receiving these accommodations have [sic] completely changed my life as a student for the better. I now enter exams knowing that I will be able to finish on time and that all of my stress and anxiety will be gone because of, because of that. So if you think you have a disability, I'd say do your research and reach out. Go to ADS. Find someone with a disability to help you get the resources that you need to succeed and to improve as a student. And if you have a disability continue to connect with us, continued to be a part of the community oh and reach out to professionals with a learning disability and ask them, how do you deal with your learning disability on a daily basis. Thank you.  

And throughout my 4 years I've felt completely supported by the disability services at Dickinson, and I know that they believe that every student can succeed no matter what their circumstances are. I felt completely support and I knew they believed in me. I was nominated and accepted to be a student interviewer this year, which was really great and I didn't think that was going to be possible. But I got accepted into the program and I really loved it, it was one of the highlights of my senior year. And I'm going to be graduating with a degree in psychology, and a certificate in health studies. So I'm very proud of myself, so for those of you think you would benefit from accommodations, don't hesitate 'cause it's completely worth it. 

If you have or think you may have a disability, I recommend reaching out to Marni Jones, as she helped me within the last few years express and get the accommodations and help I felt I needed to be the student I feel didn't used to be reflected. 

A lot of people are worried about the stigma associated with receiving any sort of accommodation. As they think that it's you can really only get one if you have attention deficit disorder or whatever, but that's just not the case. And I'm really happy that I did it. So I think everyone should definitely reach out to Marni Jones because she is really awesome and it will just make your life here a lot easier and there's nothing to be ashamed of in seeking out accommodation because it's really improved my academic life here, Dickinson.  

The extended time is especially helpful as I am a very thorough person when it comes to things like mathematical calculations. If you have (or think you may have) a disability, get in contact with ADS! ADS is willing to work with all kinds of people regardless of their disabilities. If you feel that you’re not performing your best, contact ADS and describe your situation. What's happening? Are you running out of time because you’re unable to concentrate and focus on the task at hand? Don’t hesitate to express your concerns! The whole ADS team is wonderful and loves to see everyone succeed.

I believe having access to accommodations has helped me in many ways. They help level the playing field for me in certain ways like extra time on exams and quizzes. One of my accommodations is the ability to have a tutor in the early stages of a class so I do not fall behind. This has been probably the most helpful and important accommodation I have ever been able to use. I have seen so much improvement in my skills because of the help of my tutor. However, just because I have a tutor does not mean that I have had to work any less hard at practicing the material outside of those sessions and class. Being dyslexic is part of who I am. This is not to say that some days I wish I did not have to spend so much extra time on homework or have to work harder to get something done, but since my dyslexia is never going to go away I will never let it hold me back.  

If you have a disability, or you think you have a disability, I strongly recommend and encourage that you disclose it to the Office of Access and Disability Services here at Dickinson. Having accommodations can only help you, not hurt you. There are plenty of accommodations that I have available to me that I do not use, but it is very comforting to know that if I need them, I can use them. Everyone at ADS is welcoming and warm and ready to help you with whatever you need. It is also nice to know that someone has your back if you run into a situation regarding any kind of accommodations. Do not let your disability hold you back from anything you that you love or make you feel like you cannot accomplish something. I know from personal experience that whatever you have will only make you stronger in ways you never imagined.  

These accommodations have helped me overcome past set-backs by making use of available resources. In addition, I’ve developed good time management and organization skills. If you have or think you may have a disability, I recommend first talking to your parents and ADS to understand the symptoms of the disability and to learn about what accommodations are available to you. Informing those you trust will maximize your opportunities for support and personalized accommodations.

Everyone in ADS works to make sure we succeed at Dickinson, no matter how we learn. In less than a week I had met with my professors, turned in the paperwork and was able to finish the semester with strong grades. Nevertheless, I would highly recommend registering accommodations before arriving at Dickinson, even if you don’t plan to use them. All my professors, every single semester, have been understanding and accommodating. Meeting with them to discuss my accommodations was always helpful for us both, as I learned how to approach the material of their courses and they learned how I may work differently. I also began to work as a test monitor for ADS and have been able to help other students with their accommodations. The office is friendly and professional, and I know that working with them has changed my college career. 

Even if you don’t have accommodations, transitioning to college level work load can present challenges. Beyond the writing center in the library and the Wellness Center, ADS also offers workshops in the first few weeks of classes on how to manage time, study for exams, and take good notes. I’ve used skills I picked up during these workshops throughout my college career and adapted them to help me when I was studying abroad. Dickinson wants you to succeed and presents as many opportunities to support you as possible.  

I have anxiety and panic attacks and that means it’s often difficult to manage stress and heavy workloads, while making sure my symptoms are kept at bay. Sometimes, my anxiety becomes so debilitating that I’m unable to concentrate, motivate myself, or continue completing daily tasks and responsibilities. Panic attacks can be unpredictable and take a heavy toll on my health, making it harder for me to recover and get back on track.  
 
Because of this, I received academic accommodations. Without accommodations, I know there’s no way I would have been able to be half as successful and engaged as I was in my time at Dickinson. Accommodations gave me the support I needed in order to prioritize my well-being and take care of my health, while working with my professors to determine the best academic plan to ensure I could still attain a great education. Using this resource taught me to self-advocate and strengthen my communication skills with my professors; this ultimately resulted in a positive educational experience in which I felt supported and valued as a student. 

If you have (or think you may have) a disability, I highly recommend reaching out to Access and Disability Services to discuss potential options for support on campus. As a Latina growing up in an immigrant household, discussing mental health care was often stigmatized or avoided altogether. Culturally, the expectation that I needed to “do it all on my own” made it hard to ask for help,  but working with the Access and Disability Services office helped me realize why accommodations matter. The guilt and shame I felt about asking for help in order to receive accommodations is a trend I’ve noticed particularly among many students of color. To you, I say: I see you, I validate you, and I want you to have the best academic experience possible at Dickinson—if you believe you might need support from Access and Disability Services, I encourage you to take the first step today by reaching out to their office. There is no shame in having a disability or receiving accommodations; rather, accommodations are one way to help ensure there is a structure in place to support you if and when you may need it. 

When there is too much light and noise around me, my ability to maintain sustained attention and concentration decreases. I also have memory difficulties and visual scanning and tracking problems.  Prior to my injury, I was a successful student who never had a need for accommodations at school.  However, after my injury I could no longer keep up academically as before without the necessary accommodations. It was an easy transition from high school to Dickinson thanks to Marni Jones and everyone at the ADS office.  Some of my accommodations that carried over to Dickinson include extended time for test taking, testing within a distraction-free setting, and no more than one midterm/final exam per day, which has reduced my anxiety in worrying about having enough time to complete my exams. I have learned about strategies to help me memorize information more effectively, study, and deal with my visual deficits.  I have access to class notes taken by my fellow classmates who generously volunteer to be peer note-takers for ADS, even though they do not even know it was me they are taking notes for.        

With accommodations I have been able to achieve success as a Dean’s Scholar, Raven’s Claw Scholarship recipient, President of the non-profit organization Challah for Hunger, Varsity Softball member, TA for the Chemistry Department, member of the national service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega, Copy Editor of the Dickinson Science Magazine, member of the Pre-Health professional program, and an integral part of life on campus in many other ways.  I was even able to study abroad, receiving accommodations at the University of East Anglia in England during my junior year.  What makes Dickinson so special for someone with a disability is that professors and students make up a close-knit community.  I was able to make use of available resources such as meeting with my professors 1:1 outside of the classroom and utilizing other support services offered on campus, such as the writing center. Without all the guidance and help I received from Marni and ADS, I would not have been able to thrive academically. With their support, I have learned to be more confident and to advocate for myself.  I am no longer “embarrassed” about having to receive support services and accommodations.  I am proud to say that after graduation from Dickinson, I will be continuing my education at graduate school in New York City where I will receive my Masters in Speech Communication and Disorders.   

Having a disability was not something I shared with many others, as I never wanted to be looked upon or treated differently; I just wanted to fit in.  However, the ADS staff, my professors, and fellow Dickinsonians have allowed me to embrace my differences, and I want to take this opportunity to hopefully encourage others to seek the help needed to achieve academic success.  As someone with a disability, I could not have asked for a more supportive environment to receive my undergraduate degree.   

If you are a professor with students who have just suffered a concussion, please understand that they may look fine on the outside, but they are trying to cope with so much on the inside.  Providing them with the academic support they need is critical to helping them achieve academic success. If you a student who has suffered a concussion, or think you have a disability, I encourage you to reach out to the office of ADS so that you do not have to struggle unnecessarily because of your disability. The amount of help and guidance you will receive is immeasurable, as I know that my last four years would not have been as memorable and enjoyable without everyone’s support.    

Because of this, I received academic accommodations. Without accommodations, I know there’s no way I would have been able to be half as successful and engaged as I was in my time at Dickinson. Accommodations gave me the support I needed in order to prioritize my well-being and take care of my health, while working with my professors to determine the best academic plan to ensure I could still attain a great education.  Using this resource taught me to self-advocate and strengthen my communication skills with my professors; this ultimately resulted in a positive educational experience in which I felt supported and valued as a student.

If you have (or  think you may have) a disability, I highly recommend reaching out to Access and Disability Services to discuss potential options for support on campus. As a Latina growing up in an immigrant household, discussing mental health care was often stigmatized or avoided altogether. Culturally, the expectation that I needed to “do it all on my own” made it hard to ask for help, but working with the Access and Disability Services office helped me realize why accommodations matter. The guilt and shame I felt about asking for help in order to receive accommodations is a trend I’ve noticed particularly among many students of color. To you, I say: I see you, I validate you, and I want you to have the best academic experience possible at Dickinson—if you believe you might need support from Access and Disability Services, I encourage you to take the first step today by reaching out to their office. There is no shame in having a disability or receiving accommodations; rather, accommodations are one way to help ensure there is a structure in place to support you if and when you may need it.