<p>Im a sophmore engineering Student at Uiversity at Buffalo. Im a Computer engineering major. Since 3rd grade in elementary school to 10th in High school, I was a special education student. Lets say as time went on things got better, I was always a good student and always really strived to do the best i could. Even when they took me out on 11th Grade, I still kept good grade and in 12th they put me into honors and the national honor society.</p>
<p>Now that Im in college, I am really having trouble, because I study as much as I can but its just never enogh. Also a problem, since I was a special ed student I never really got a foundation for math. In HS I went to algebra just after factoring or possibly right before trigonomic functions. Now I love engineering, and I tend to do well in my engineering classes, but in classes like chemistry and Math(Pre-calc) I am having a difficult time.</p>
<p>I study alot, or as much as I relaly can, but i tend to study a tad slower tghan most and it takes me some time to learn the material.</p>
<p>any suggestions or advice. I ask in the parent forum not to be criticized</p>
<p>Is there a tutoring center you could use? I think it’s great you are looking for help. Some students just give up when they have difficulties, so you have already surmounted the biggest obstacle, admitting there is a problem.
Look for a tutor, go to office hours with your profs. I have found that most professors love when students ask for help. Good luck to you!</p>
<p>Most colleges have a learning center. I teach at a college (in Boston) and many of my students contact the Dean of Students and get help through that department. I would recommend contacting them ASAP to get the help you need before final exams.</p>
<p>Every college is required by ADA law to have an Office of Special Services, or Disabilities, or whatever name they choose to bestow upon it. You should make an appointment with the Director, explain your situation, and he/she will help you advocate for yourself and navigate with your professors. Usually, there is a campus tutoring center as well. And grad students or upper classmen can make terrific tutors.</p>
<p>Good luck! Hard work means a lot so don’t give up!</p>
<p>I don’t know how true this is, but an engineering student at RPI told us that he almost flunked out because he was trying to do all his work alone - like in high school. He joined some study groups and went to his professors’ and TAs’ office hours as often as he could and his grades started turning around. </p>
<p>Gather a support group - include any extra support services SUNY B offers, use your classmates, use your teachers.</p>
<p>Lots of engineering students struggle. Just keep plugging along. Keep your eye on the prize (a good job at the end)!!!</p>
<p>Vinny, When you were in hs was there a specific disability that put you in special ed? Were you ADHD? Dyslexic? or do you have a general processing problem? Have you had any contact with the Disability Services office at UB? There are plenty of services available at UB, and accomodations that could help you, but in college (and this is made clear on the UB website) it’s all about self advocacy. You have to take the intiative and go into the office and tell them you have a problem and ask for help. It sounds like you could benefit from extra time. Maybe you could even get a note taker. But you have to ask for these t hings, and probably present documentation concerning your disability. </p>
<p>Engineering is hard! If math is a weakness this could be a major problem for you now and going forward. You might want to take a math course during the summer when you could just take one class and concentrate on just one class to get you up to speed. </p>
<p>Hope you have already seen the Disability Services website:</p>
<p>UB-Vinny, I don’t have any better suggestions than what the posters above have suggested. I just want to say that I like your style! Your attitude says, to me, that you have what it takes. You are asking the right questions and I hope some of the suggestions will work for you. If not, keep coming back for more and better suggestions until you find the key for you. With your attitude, you eventually will - I’m sure of it.</p>