Life After High School

Things to Consider:

• Transitioning from high school to college is a drastic change for an adult with disabilities - it’s a major transition for the adult’s parents as well.
• Supports and services your child receives in high school will not be the same in college - things like structured routines and reminders to wake up on time, take medication, or turning in homework will now be something the family must help the adult learn if he/she doesn’t already know how to do.
• During the high school transition process, encourage your child to understand his/her IEP and the accommodations included in the IEP. Your child may even want to run their own IEP meeting and have a voice in what goes into his/her academic and transition goals.
• If your child has plans to go to college, ensure that his/her IEP includes skill areas that will prepare them for that complex transition. These skills may include self-help and safety, social, communication, financial literacy, organization, and other pertinent skills to have when attending college.
• Involved an outside agency (VR) to help develop and implement a plan to help your child work toward college-readiness goals.

Accommodations & Documentation after high-school graduation:

• It is important to know that your IEP or 504 plan does not follow you to college. After high school that paperwork no longer has any legal standing.
• To receive accommodations in college, you must have documentation of your disability and send it to the disability services office at the school you attend. You may receive accommodations in your classes but are expected to meet the same standards as the rest of the class.
• Your disability and accommodations is confidential information - if disability services approves your documentation, it is your responsibility to communicate needed accommodations to your professors. Understanding your accommodations and how to effectively communicate and/or advocate for them is an important part of your college education.

Transitioning from High School to College (for students):

Deciding a major: Associates degree, bachelor’s degree, or certificate?

• Explore Types of Colleges
• Planning for College
• Important FAQs for students with disabilities and navigating college
• Advocating for accommodations in college
• How much will it cost to support yourself after college? Get a Reality Check with this tool. Begin by selecting your expenses to see which careers would support your intended lifestyle. 
• Find the best college fit for you
  • Some careers only require an associate’s degree. Earning an associate’s degree usually takes 2 years to complete. Popular jobs that require an associate’s degree
    • Community colleges in Nebraska
    • Junior college or community colleges offer many types of associate degrees.
  • A bachelor’s degree typically takes 4 or more years to complete. Colleges and Universities offer a plethora of opportunities for all learners to earn a degree they’re passionate about. Four year colleges or universities in Nebraska
  • Consider your interests
  • How much time you want to spend in college
  • Online degrees
     

Skills for a successful college experience:

• Time management
  • Time management tips for students
  • Tips for students struggling with time management
  • Time management tips from Washington University 
• Student Self-Determination/Motivation
  • YASA - Youth As Self Advocates
  • Self-Determination Instruction
  • Partners for Youth with Disabilities 
• Freedom
  • Keeping a balance between freedom and responsibility
  • The Do’s and Don’ts for college freshmen
• Working while in college
  • Federal Work-Study (FWS)
  • Pros and Cons of working while attending college
  • A guide to working while in college
• Stress Management
  • 10 Stress Management Techniques
  • Tips and Strategies for Students of All Ages
  • The College Student’s Guide to Stress Management Infographic
• Study Habits/Work Completion
  • Study Smarter Not Harder
  • 10 Habits of Highly Effective Students
• Organization
  • Organization Strategies for Students - Stanford Resource
  • 7 Practical Tips for Students
  • 10 Steps to Organization at College

Other educational opportunities:

• Trade School
  • Best Trade Schools in Nebraska
  • Vocational Trade Schools in Nebraska Guide
• Apprenticeship
  • https://www.apprenticeship.gov/career-seekers
  • Apprenticeship USA Career Seekers
  • NDE Workplace Experiences and Apprenticeships
  • U.S Department of Labor: Apprenticeship
  • Workforce GPS: Apprenticeship
  • Apprenticeship USA: Job Finder 
  • U.S Department of Labor: Apprenticeship for High School Students