If you’d like to be more successful in your classes, you may make an appointment to meet with an academic coach.

Academic coaches can help with motivation, time management, study skills, communicating with professors, setting up study groups, accessing tutors, reading comprehension, and writing papers. Coaches can also connect you with other helpful resources on campus.

To make an appointment with an academic coach, email djonesilsley@northland.edu.

If you have a qualifying disability we work with you to proactively determine reasonable and appropriate accommodation measures. Reasonable accommodations are defined as any change in an environment or in the way things are customarily done that enables an individual with a disability to enjoy equal opportunities both in and outside of the academic setting. Northland is committed to providing you an equal opportunity to fully participate  courses, programs, and activities.

The primary responsibility for self advocacy and arranging accommodations belongs to the student. You are expected to initiate contact with faculty to discuss your accommodation.

• View common academic accommodations
• Start an academic accommodations request

Common Learning Disorders

• Dyslexia: a language-based disability in which a person has trouble understanding written words. It may also be referred to as reading disability or reading disorder.
• Dyscalculia: a mathematical disability in which a person has a difficult time solving arithmetic problems and grasping math concepts.
• Dysgraphia: a writing disability in which a person finds it hard to form letters or write within a defined space.
• Auditory and Visual Processing Disorders: sensory disabilities in which a person has difficulty understanding language despite normal hearing and vision.
• Nonverbal Learning Disabilities: a neurological disorder which originates in the right hemisphere of the brain, causing problems with visual-spatial, intuitive, organizational, evaluative, and holistic processing functions.
• Autism Spectrum Disorder: ASD is a neurodevelopment disorder ranging from mild to severe and characterized by core features of social/communication deficits and repetitive/restrictive behaviors. The source for understanding the exact nature of ASD is the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V). The DSM-V combines into one category previously distinct but overlapping subtypes (i.e., Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder, and Pervasive Development Disorder). While all people with ASD will share the core features of the disorder, specific manifestations in developmental, cognitive, emotional and/or behavioral domains are unique to each individual.
• Attention Deficit Disorder AD/HD: a diagnosis applied to children and adults who consistently display certain characteristic behaviors over a period of time. The most common core features include:
  • distractibility (poorly sustained attention to tasks)
  • impulsivity (impaired impulse control and delay of gratification)
  • hyperactivity (excessive activity and physical restlessness)

Please keep in mind that the exact nature and severity of learning disabilities/disorders vary from person to person.

Building relationships with faculty and staff are among the most important experiences in your time at Northland. In recognition of this, all full-time faculty and selected staff members serve as academic advisors.

First Year Students

You are assigned to an academic advisor based on your anticipated major, your schedule of courses, or your interests. We take great care in choosing your first academic advisor. After the first year, you may change advisors as your interests and needs evolve. You’ll initial meeting with your academic advisor will be during Orientation.

Returning Students

Advising is an ongoing process of helping you clarify and evaluate academic plans and goals. Advisors assist you with course selection each semester, creating and updating your four-year academic plan. Advisors also share information about potential pre-professional experiences such as internships, special training, certifications, and research opportunities.

Changing Advisors

You can change advisors at any time during your time at Northland.

The library provides assistance in searching for articles, books, and other scholarly information for your research papers and projects. Visit the library to learn more.

• Learning Disabilities Association of Wisconsin
• Learning Disabilities Association of America
• National Center on Secondary Education and Transition
• Association on Higher Education and Disability
• National Center for Learning Disabilities
• Attention Deficit Disorder Association
• LD OnLine
• International Dyslexia Association
• College Autism Spectrum
• Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology