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Going to college raises new challenges for the adult with a brain injury as it may require negotiating classroom accommodations, adapting to changes in cognitive abilities, and reexamining academic and career goals. This article gives advice based on personal experience of going to college after a brain injury.

College after Brain Injury

June 11th, 2009 | Categories: College | No Comments

I started college one year after my brain injury. Rather than focusing on rehabilitation for my brain injury, I rushed into college life. Ignoring my cognitive and behavioral challenges from my TBI, I didn’t use compensatory strategies or accommodations I needed to study, pay attention in class, follow lectures, and pass exams. Finally learning from my impulsive choices and failures, I found the college’s Office of Disability and Support Services. After way too long, I successfully finished college with a degree in journalism.

Survivors of brain injury can learn from my mistakes by making better choices about number of courses, study habits, choice of major, and career goals. Balancing academic goals with social support is important to find a balance in college.