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     Families and Advocates

                 2. DECIDING WHAT TO STUDY AND COURSE SELECTION
Students enrolled post secondary education are laying down the foundation for their future.
STEPS Forward, through the BC-Initiative for Inclusive Post Secondary Education (BC-IPSE), supports students with developmental disabilities across BC. We support students who have a wide range of abilities.

STEPS Forward has a policy of ensuring that, on each campus, at least one student with significant and complex challenges has an opportunity to continue their studies after high school.
  1. Before starting post secondary education
  2. Deciding what to study and course selection
  3. Socializing on Campus
  4. Career choices and Life after Graduation
 
“She has learned to say ‘no’ to things. I was always worried that she was too inclined to please others.”
- Parent UVic Student


 “I see him differently now. He has his own life apart from what others set up for him. He can manage it. He has learned to make the world adapt more to him.“
- Parent SFU Student
Many students have big dreams when they start going to college or university. They plan on becoming doctors, lawyers, scientists, politicians, teachers, lab technicians, etc. The list goes on and on. Not all students will end up in their fantasy career but having that dream will put them closer to the future life they envision for themselves.

When a applicant tells us they want to be a neurosurgeon, orchestra conductor, or broadcaster on major TV sports channel we are thrilled. They are not the only students starting their studies with big dreams. And like many other students they starting down one path they find they end up exploring other interesting opportunities that were not part of their original plan. The important thing is to keep them dreaming big and broadly; to keep them on that bigger than life pathway to their future. Facilitators will work with them, and you, to support them to go as far as they can in becoming successful students.

Ideas for what to study:
  • If you went to post secondary, talk with your family member about what you studied and the things you liked doing on campus
  • Encourage them to go for coffee with other people in their lives who have attended or are attending post-secondary education
  • Include in your students IEP the opportunity to attend the university tours and info sessions when the other students go
  • Call a campus facilitator to work with you to attend a campus tour
  • Make a list of what they liked to study in high school and what their hobbies are
  • Find out what it is about their dream job that thrills them.
Interesting 1st year course ideas:
  • History: The Creation of the Medieval World
  • Anthropology: Folklore in Contemporary Society
  • Exercise Science, Physical & Health Education: The science of Batman
  • Astronomy: The search for Life in the Universe
  • Womens' Studies: Bodies out of Bounds