What should I do to prepare for postsecondary education or training?


In college and university, your classes, teachers, workload and lifestyle may be very different than in high school. It is important that you prepare yourself as much as possible for the transition. You may need to take certain high school credits to meet entry requirements or you may need to start saving money to pay for tuition and other expenses. You also may need to arrange specific supports due to your disability.

Get ready for a change.

College and university are very different from high school.

Talk to a counsellor at the office for students with disabilities or a high school teacher or counsellor about getting help to adjust to the different work load, class schedule, teacher-student relationship and other lifestyle changes that come with postsecondary education.

They can also help you identify learning strategies and develop personal time management and organizational skills so that you’re ready from Day One of college or university.

Learn more about what to do to prepare for postsecondary education, whether you’re currently in high school or if you’ve been away from school for a while.

Get ready to self-advocate.

Self-advocacy means taking personal responsibility and initiative and speaking up for yourself. In college and university, you have to advocate for yourself in order to get the supports you need.

This includes:

Get ready to talk with staff at the office for students with disabilities.

If you need educational accommodations—or if you need help accessing any resources on campus or in the community—the staff at the office for students with disabilities can help you.

But it’s your responsibility to identify yourself to them as a student with a disability, so set up a meeting as soon as possible.

What You Need to Know:

I know what my options are for postsecondary study.

Learn about Ontario's colleges, universities and apprenticeship training.

I know what I should do in high school or before I apply to prepare for college or university.

Learn about admission requirements at colleges and universities.

I know that colleges and universities have very different learning environments than high school. I'm prepared to do more independent work, manage my class and work schedule and advocate for myself.

Learn some great study tips, time management skills and ways to cope with stress.

I know what types of services and resources I may be able to access at the schools I'm interested in attending.

Learn about educational accommodations (including special adaptive technology or software), support services and transition resources by contacting the school's disability services office.

I know how to advocate for myself.

Learn about your responsibilities as a student.

I know whether I qualify for any special scholarships, bursaries or loans, and have a plan to pay for tuition and other expenses.

Learn about some of the financial supports you might qualify for.