Re: Student Assistance =

[Guest guest]

E. Hyland wrote:

> Hi Bennie (and Everyone),

>

> I am already receiving support from my school's special services department,

> called Adaptive Educational Services (AES). I get extended test time, and am

> allowed to have a note-taker in classes (although I really don't need one,

> as I take very excellent notes--at least, they are a very effective study

> aid), and am allowed to audio-record lectures (which helps a lot in some

> classes).

,

I am so glad you are using the Adaptive Educational Services as it really helps

decrease the stress of a student with pain issues.

I have had students with disgraphia and other writing problems and the

processing delays from the brain to the hand is a disability that can be

treated.

All the points you have brought up are great but they all depend on you alone

overcoming it. Brainstorming with someone else is a great

outlet and there are free tutors at school. I am sure a friendship with one

would give you some ideas and support to get it started, so

to speak.

I have two Masters Degrees without Algebra as I cannot understand why numbers

and alphabet characters go together. I could always get the answer but could not

explain how I got it. I see the big picture but always do not see all the

details to get there.

I petitioned the Dean and showed I passed Physics (which has formulas) which I

used as a x-ray technician and could visualize how the formulas worked. I made

a B in Graduate level Statistics and understood those concepts as I used them in

Case Studies and in my Business Law Case Studies.

I even took a " Math Anxiety " class after I had my Bachelors and a very

overweight man was telling us that we need to have goals and overcome the

anxiety with setting goals to accomplish. I wanted to tell him he needed to set

some weight loss goals, but it did not help me.

After I did not have to " have " this class, I could do Algebra and I actually

helped my Special Education students as I understood their frustration in

dealing with doing Math. As with all things, breaking it down to manageable

acts, allows one to achieve the purpose.

When I taught English and Literature and writing to students, I had them compare

writing a story to a movie, video game, or gossip story.

We listed the movies they liked and I had them identify character development,

climax of story, situation, plot and resolution.

It was amazing watching the light bulbs in their minds click and we used this

comparison throughout the semester adding things we were studying through genres

and other identifiers.

I also used OWL, online writing lab and here is the link:

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/618/01/

You can type in OWL writing assistance and there are many informative articles.

Although it is wrong to state you say writers block is an excuse, just as I

stated I cannot do Algebra, when you start thinking another way, as Yes, I can

do this with assistance it will replace the negative remark, It certainly takes

practice and with your Psychology major, you will learn how negative thoughts

can paralyze our thinking.

The main point, I think, in relationship to pain, we need to take advantage of

all resources we can to prevent stress as stress increases pain.

Also, refuse to believe you can't do it and get someone to do a starter jump to

prevent the blocks and create a check list of positive ideas to avoid it and go

by it line by line. Positive self talk is an appropriate support system and we

are not crazy because we talk to ourselves.

Good Luck and keep the stress levels down and let us know how your doctors'

appointments go and if you get pain relief. Bennie