Boosting the College Readiness of Students With Disabilities With a Focus on Self-Efficacy

For many students with disabilities, the transition to college can feel like a daunting and uncertain step. Beyond the academic demands, there are new social dynamics, different teaching styles, and a need to self-advocate—all of which can be overwhelming without the right mindset and skills. However, one of the most important factors that can help students with disabilities succeed in college is not just boosting their confidence, but fostering self-efficacy—the belief in their ability to manage challenges and achieve their goals.

From my experience in various educational settings, I’ve seen how a lack of self-efficacy can significantly impact a student’s readiness for college. Many students with disabilities enter higher education feeling unsure of their abilities, often due to past experiences where their potential was underestimated or not fully supported. But when these students are given the right tools and opportunities to build self-efficacy, the difference is remarkable. They develop the ability to navigate challenges with resilience and persistence, which in turn allows them to thrive academically and socially.

One powerful way to build self-efficacy in students with disabilities is by creating opportunities for students to practice handling typical college situations—whether it’s managing time, participating in social settings, or seeking accommodations. These opportunities to practice allow students to gain confidence and a stronger sense of control over their college journey.

Why Self-Efficacy is Key for College Success

Self-efficacy is crucial for students with disabilities because it directly impacts their ability to handle the multiple demands of college life. These students often face challenges that extend beyond the academic workload—such as managing their time effectively, adapting to different teaching styles, and staying organized. Furthermore, college is a time when students are expected to navigate new social environments, which, for students with disabilities, feel especially overwhelming without a strong belief in their own abilities.

When self-efficacy is developed, students are more likely to take initiative, ask for help when needed, and persist in the face of challenges. They feel equipped to handle obstacles, whether academic, social, or emotional, and they have a greater sense of agency over their experiences. By fostering self-efficacy, we help students with disabilities build the resilience necessary not just to survive in college, but to succeed and grow.

The Power of Simulating College Experiences

Simulating college experiences provides students with disabilities a safe space to practice common college situations before they encounter them for real. By experiencing the challenges and expectations of college in a controlled environment, students can build the skills and confidence needed to succeed.

These experiences could include mock orientations, practice classes, or group discussions. For instance, students can participate in mock lectures or group projects, giving them the opportunity to practice time management, working with peers, and engaging with instructors—all key skills for college success.

Additionally, social integration is often one of the most challenging aspects of college for students with disabilities, many of whom struggle with initiating conversations, reading social cues, or forming friendships. To help with this, pairing students with disabilities with upper-class students who have similar experiences can provide valuable mentorship. For example, a ninth-grade student with a learning disability could be matched with an 11th grader who successfully navigated school with the same or a similar disability, offering guidance on study strategies and self-advocacy.

These peer mentors can offer guidance, share strategies for overcoming common social challenges, and provide emotional support. The connection to someone who has navigated similar struggles can increase a student’s sense of belonging and help them approach social situations with more confidence.

Key Strategies for Building Self-Efficacy

1. Teaching self-advocacy skills. One of the most essential skills for college success is the ability to advocate for oneself. Encouraging students to take an active role in requesting accommodations and using available resources is critical. Self-advocacy workshops can teach students how to ask for what they need—whether it’s extended time on tests, access to note-taking services, or quiet spaces for studying. By practicing these skills, students build confidence in their ability to take charge of their academic journey.
2. Fostering a growth mindset. Many students with disabilities struggle with the belief that their abilities are fixed—that their challenges are insurmountable. By fostering a growth mindset, we can help students shift from seeing their struggles as permanent obstacles to viewing them as opportunities for growth. Students who embrace the idea that abilities can be developed through effort are more likely to persist through setbacks and stay motivated. This shift in mindset is key to developing self-efficacy.
3. Building executive functioning skills. Executive functioning skills, like time management, organization, and self-regulation, are essential for college success. Many students with disabilities face particular challenges in these areas. Teaching students how to break tasks into manageable steps, use planners to stay organized, and practice stress-reduction techniques can help them improve these skills. With these tools in place, students are better equipped to handle the demands of college life and feel more confident in their ability to stay on top of their work.
4. Promoting positive self-talk. Students with disabilities are often their own harshest critics. Negative self-talk can undermine self-efficacy and create feelings of helplessness. Encouraging students to replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations is an effective strategy for building resilience and self-confidence. Regularly writing down accomplishments, no matter how small, can help students focus on their strengths and build a positive self-image over time.

Empowering Students Through Self-Efficacy

In my experience, the students who thrive in college aren’t always those who excel academically right from the start. The most successful students are often those who believe in their ability to learn, grow, and navigate challenges. Building self-efficacy is an ongoing process, but it is one of the most important elements of college readiness for students with disabilities. By simulating college experiences, teaching self-advocacy, fostering a growth mindset, and helping them to develop executive functioning skills, we can help students with disabilities feel empowered to approach college with a sense of control and resilience.

Ultimately, self-efficacy isn’t just about feeling confident—it’s about believing that with the right strategies and support, success is possible. As educators, counselors, and families, we can help students with disabilities build that belief in themselves, equipping them not only for college but for life.