Frequently Asked Questions for Students

What do I do now?

Disability issues are complex: you may have a great understanding of your disability and the limitations it brings about in an academic setting, or you may be new to this. Bodies and minds change.

Many students are diagnosed with a disability for the first time in college. Some students come to college with a disability already diagnosed and some students may get hurt in a sport or other activity and face challenges related to their injury.

Disability Services can help you succeed and thrive at UMM.
E-mail us or give us a call at x6178.

I'm having trouble adjusting to college. I am missing a lot of class and cannot seem to get organized. It's making me really down. What can I do?

Adjustment blues are really normal! But that doesn't mean you shouldn't find a support network. Talk to your CA and friends on your wing. Let your Academic Advisor know how you are feeling.

Experts suggest that you need to create seven circles of connection to guard against adjustments blues. That may seem like a daunting task if you’re new in the UMM community. Start counting. You may have a couple pals on your wing: that’s One. You may tend to sit with the same friends at meals: that’s Two. Get involved! Keep your ear to the ground to figure out what others are doing to have fun, and check out the long, long list of student orgs who are always looking for new members.

See if you can get up to seven within the first few weeks of school. (Note that on-line communities do not count. In fact, limiting time on-line in favor of getting out there to talk to real people will help you shake the blues.)
Tape this handout on “Coping with Stress” next to your desk—follow the suggestions!
You may be feeling really overwhelmed by the difference in workload between high school and college. Check out these resources on the Academic Assistance Center (AAC) Homepage (also see left-land links). If the resources and strategies on their site don’t help you, contact the AAC for an appointment (x6178) or to sign up for peer tutoring in one or all of your classes. A peer tutor can help you organize your time and review course material.
If you feel like nothing’s working and you continue to feel really down, contact UMM’s Student Counseling Center (x6060) for an appointment. Counselors there can help you with adjustment strategies. And they won’t be surprised to hear from you: remember, adjustment issues are common.

I feel really nervous and jittery. Sometimes I think I may be having an anxiety or panic attack. What should I do?

The demands of college life can seem overwhelming at times.

What is it you are worried about?
Do you have all your classes, activities and study time listed on your schedule?
Do you have a plan in place outlining how you will complete that big paper?

Thoughtfully scheduling time for your classes, homework and upcoming assignments (as well as some fun time!) can help alleviate that feeling that you forgot something. Knowing that you have carefully gone through each syllabus and are on top of tests, assignments, and project due dates can help you feel more confident and on top of things. Sometimes just taking a fee deep breaths and reminding yourself of past successes can help.

Although it is normal to feel nervous when under pressure and in new situations, if that nervous, jittery feeling stays with you, make an appointment with our Student Counseling Center . A counselor can meet with you to give you some tips on relaxation and help with coping strategies. They can also screen for anxiety disorders and refer you to other professionals who can help.

How can I fill prescriptions in Morris?

Thrifty White at 533 Atlantic Avenue has a full-service pharmacy. You can have your doctor fax prescriptions to Thrifty, then you can refill them through their automated refill system. Thrifty will even deliver your meds to you on campus.

Give them a call to get started: 320-589-4550. If you need a reminder to refill your prescriptions: set up UMCal and input a reminder to yourself at least three days before you will actually run out. That gives you some lead time to get the meds you need by the time you need them.

I take over-the-counter meds: where can I get them in Morris?

You can get meds to treat a common illness like cold or flu from UMM Health Services. You can also get them at Pamida, Thrifty White, Coborn's or Willie's Supervalue.

I got hurt and now I am having a hard time getting around: some of the stuff I do every day isn't accessible.

Disability Services is an advocacy office that can help you identify and coordinate your short-term needs. Give them a call (x6163). You may need an H-parking permit to park closer to your dorm and class buildings; you may need to move into an accessible dorm room or have one or more of your classes moved.

One of my classes is really giving me trouble! How can I get back on top of my game?

First, go talk to the professor. Your professors want to hear from you! Chances are, you are not the only person in the class who is having trouble. You may be able to get help directly from the instructor, or he/she may put you in touch with the class TA for help. There may already be a study group formed for the class. Your professor can help you determine the kinds of help you need and refer you to available resources on campus.

Go to the Academic Assistance Center (AAC). There may be drop-in tutoring for the class. If not, you can request a tutor. Tutors are students who have already successfully completed the class, and tutoring is free! You can also make an appointment with the AAC Coordinator for individual help. AAC is located on the 3rd floor of the library

Make an appointment with the Writing Room. If you are having difficulty organizing or writing your papers, sign up for a time to see someone in the Writing Room. The Writing Room is run by the English Department and is located just down the hall from the Center for Advising and Learning office on the 3rd floor of the library.

You can also take advantage of Monday night Study Table. Tutors at Study Table are Juniors or Seniors at UMM and are experienced in tutoring a variety of subjects.

My classes are really hard but I'm nervous about talking to my profs to ask for help. Do you have advice?

Your best allies are your professors and you do not need official documentation of a disability to approach them for help. Visit their office hour early in the semester to get to know them and realize they are human, too. While they’re experts at what they do now, they have certainly struggled; they have experienced failure and overcome adverse circumstances. They will understand and try to help you. Talk with them early and often about your progress.

State your situation
Describe the challenge
Make a specific request
State the benefits of meeting this request
Be prepared to negotiate or propose alternatives: a professor may be willing to make changes to the course to help you manage aspects that are difficult for you. They are not obliged to alter parts of the course or assessment tools that they decide are essential to learning the material.

I have trouble hearing/seeing/understanding my professor.

Here are some strategies:

Sit in the front row where your line of sight to visuals and your prof’s face will be clear. You should be able to see and hear more clearly. If the board or visuals are still blurry, get your eyes checked! Contact Dr Lair at Stevens County Medical Center (589-1313) or Midwest Eye Center on Atlantic Avenue (589-1300).
If you still feel disconnected, find a buddy or two to swap class notes with or ask your prof for permission to record the course. You can listen to the lecture again after class
Get to know the TA for the course and attend regular study sessions that may be scheduled. Contact AAC x6178 to sign up for a peer tutor in the course. A peer tutor can keep you on task and may be able to explain the material in ways that are easier for you to grasp
Visit your prof’s office hours to ask for help and advice on how to succeed! (Always a good strategy!)

I've got mono (or another chronic condition): I think I need to drop a class or two. How do I do that? How does that impact my financial aid?

The impact of dropping courses depends on the particulars of your financial aid package. Call the Office of Financial Aid (x6035) to talk to them about your situation.

I don't think I can handle taking a full load next semester, but I need financial aid to stay in college. What can I do?

If you are registered with Disability Services (DS), contact the DS Coordinator for an appointment as soon as possible. The DS Coordinator will determine if this is a reasonable accommodation with regard to your disability and, if appropriate, complete the Financial Aid Accommodation Certification form. This form is then sent to the Director of Financial Aid and must be received by the Financial Aid office prior to the end of the second week of the term. Please see Full Time Status/Part Time Enrollment for more information.

If you are not registered with Disability Services, you must do so in order to receive this accommodation. Please refer to the Getting Accommodations web page.