Articles reflect the views of the author and those quoted and do not necessarily represent the views of CCBC or The CCBC Connection.
Kristy Towson
I remember thinking I had this whole school thing figured out.
In high school, support came built in. If you had an IEP, there were meetings, plans, and teachers who already knew what you needed before you even walked into the room. Everything was structured. Everything was guided. You were supported without having to ask twice.
But college is different.
When you step onto a college campus, that IEP you relied on is no longer active. It does not transfer. It does not follow you. And no one is going to pull you aside to make sure you’re okay.
That shift catches a lot of students off guard.
In high school, accommodations are protected under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The goal is to make sure students receive specialized instruction and services to succeed. It is structured. It is proactive. It is built around you.
In college, the responsibility shifts.
Now, accommodations fall under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Colleges are still required to support students with disabilities, but there is one major difference: you have to advocate for yourself.
No one automatically enrolls you. No one tracks you down. No one assumes what you need.
You have to speak up.
And for many students, especially those managing mental health, learning differences, or life stress, that can feel overwhelming. Sometimes even impossible.
So instead, they struggle in silence.
They miss assignments. They fall behind. They start to question if they even belong in college.
Not because they are incapable, but because they did not know how to obtain the support already available to them.
Here is what you need to understand.
Accommodations in college are not about giving you an advantage. They are about giving you access. They exist so that you are not denied the opportunity to learn simply because you need support.
Every college has a department dedicated to this. At CCBC, it is called Student Accessibility Services. If you are struggling, this is where you go. And the process is more straightforward than most people think.
First, you complete the intake application and upload documentation of your disability. This could include medical records, psychological evaluations, or other supporting documents.
Second, once your information is received, someone from Student Accessibility Services will contact you to schedule an appointment.
Third, you attend that appointment.
This is where things begin to shift.
During this meeting, you will talk about what you are experiencing. Not just what your diagnosis says, but what your actual barriers are in the classroom. Maybe it is test anxiety. Maybe it is difficulty focusing. Maybe it is processing information or keeping up with deadlines.
You are not expected to have all the answers. That is what the coordinator is there for. Together, you will decide what accommodations make sense for you. Extended time. Quiet testing spaces. Flexible deadlines. Note-taking support. Whatever aligns with your needs.
Once you complete this process and are approved, you are officially registered and can begin using your accommodations.
But none of this happens unless you take that first step.
If you take nothing else from this, take this:
Struggling does not mean you are failing. It may simply mean you are trying to do college without the support you are entitled to.
You do not have to push through alone. You do not have to prove your worth by suffering. You do not have to wait until things fall apart to ask for help.
Walk into the office. Fill out the form. Schedule the appointment.
Speaking up for yourself is not a weakness. It is a skill.
And in college, it is one of the most important ones you will ever learn.
To contact The SAS Office you can email: studentaccessibility@ccbcmd.edu
