If you've registered for all your classes for the upcoming semester, you're ready for the next step to success: organizing your time and materials. Organization is some people's least favorite word, but it can save you hassle and stress and thus free up time and energy for studying and getting work done. Here are some tips for organizing for success.
1. Look for your books in RFBD's online catalog. This will save you some time and frustration, and you will be able to give the representative the exact shelf number of the book you need when you call. If your book is not available, try discussing alternative editions or titles with your professor.
2. If you tend to learn best from reading material in Braille, prepare notebooks for each of your classes so that you can keep hard copies of your notes. If you use a Braille Lite or laptop, you may find it helpful to create folders for each class so that you can keep track of notes, scanned material, etc.
3. If you will be using notes provided by a sighted note taker, use a similar approach to the one above for users of hard-copy Braille. It will be important to have a place to keep copies of things which need to be read.
4. Find a way to keep track of handouts from class. Labeling them with a slate and stylus is a good idea and can be done in class as you are given your copy. If you are not a slate and stylus user, set aside some time for sorting through them with a reader and labeling them. Do not rely on your memory, no matter how good you think it is.
5. Keep your textbooks in a specific place and label them. This will save you and your readers time because you will be able to retrieve the correct books quickly. If you have a scanner, you may wish to scan your own materials (especially if mathematics is not involved). Marking the first page of each chapter with a paper clip can be helpful if you plan to scan as you go along.
6. If you will be scanning and your chapters will not be read in order, you may find it helpful to mark your book for the chapters in the order they will be read, placing the paper clip for the first chapter nearest to the spine and working your way to the outside of the book.
7. Make a calendar listing the assignments and test dates for your classes. Some people find it helpful to have a single calendar listing assignments and test dates for all classes. Others prefer having a calendar for each class. Much of this information can be obtained from your syllabus.
8. Work effectively with your readers and store your recorded materials with labels or in their RFBD containers so that you are always able to find them quickly.
Now you are ready to get to work. In the article, "Working with Readers," you will find some strategies for working effectively with readers. This is the third step to success and may be one of the most vital because ineffective use of readers can cause problems in many areas.
This document is copyright 2003 by Sarah J. Blake. For permission to reprint, please email Sarah at sarah@growingstrong.org.
The development of content for this site is supported by your contributions and by the sale of products through various affiliate programs. If you have been touched by the material on this site, please consider shopping at Sarah Jane's or making a contribution using the Amazon Honor System.
Return to the students' page.
This site is graciously hosted by LinuxPowered.