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Kailynn
Student
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What are some tips and tricks for a student going to college and wanting to graduate college?
I'm a 12th grade student graduating this year and going off to a 4 year college to earn my Bachelor's of Science degree for Interpreting American Sign Language major. I will be staying on campus, but I need some tips and tricks on how to pass college without failing.
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2 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
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Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Kailynn !
Congratulations on being accepted to Bloomsburg University ! That is super awesome ! I am happy to know that you will be Majoring In American Sign Language and English Interpreting.
If you possibly can make it, register for the Bloomsburg Major Showcase: American Sign Language and English Interpreting. You will have a tour of the Department, preview your future coursework, projects, and the plan for your career development ! It's a great chance to meet with current faculty and students for lunch on campus. Explore the campus on an optional campus tour. The showcase takes place on Friday, December 5, 2025 at 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM (Eastern time). You can register at the link to the registration form at the link below.
I should mention that I have ten years training in Deaf Culture, never made it to intermediate level with ASL, but have worked with Deaf clients in the human services field. I have some tips for you.
Working as an Interpreter in a hospital is very important. I'd really need to know where you lived, but where I live, what happens is that ASL Interpreters are registered at professional agencies and when an Interpreter is needed, the provider calls the agency and the agency sends you out to wherever one may be needed. Look online for these agencies in your area. Where I live, they also pay for transportation - a travel fee - if it's sort of far, but I do not know if all agencies do that. You can also freelance, work for yourself and that takes a bit of networking. The pay is VERY good, by the way.
Deaf individuals are covered under the Americans With Disabilities Act. This means that a place serving a deaf person has to hire an interpreter. This is usually done when the communication involves complex or critical communication. However, the business's size, financial resources, and overall expenses can allow the place not to hire an interpreter but they still have to make accommodations like having a family member present, but sometimes that is prohibited due to confidentiality and impartiality issues. You will probably learn this through your ASL path.
Many Interpreters are trained to not verbalize while they are interpreting to the deaf client. I only had one interpreter that verbalized as she spoke and signed to the deaf individual and that is very helpful to the worker (me) to get the full, complete conversation. You may be taught not to verbalize while speaking with the deaf person, and the reason that is given is that the ASL interpretation is for the deaf person, not the hearing person. But still, see how you feel personally about this. I can attest that it is much better when signing in front of a hearing person that they verbalize as they sign. It makes it more like a natural conversation and flows better. Ask a professor about what their trend is with this.
Use ASL every day. Find a volunteer opportunity within the Deaf Community where you will be attending college. ASL is one of those skills that you need to use a lot, daily, to have the experiences one needs to be fluent. Do NOT worry about failing. Since your major is one that is close to the heart, you will love it and find great motivation to stay on top of the work. You'll be great !
I had both deaf and hearing ASL teachers and I found that I did better learning from the hearing teachers, but learned a lot from the deaf teachers. You will find yourself adapting if you have a mix of hearing and deaf trainers/teachers for this.
From now until whenever, you can go to some very helpful websites to learn ASL. Lifeprint is one and also Signing Savvy. You might also find that the website Handspeak is useful. Practice now. Knowing the alphabet and spelling is a start. Oh, I almost forgot - ASL is not English, it's a language all its own. You'll learn how it differs during your ASL Program.
Attend any conferences, gatherings, events and activities for and about Deaf Culture. I once attended a Dialectic Behavioral Therapy for Deaf Clients Training. I barely spoke that whole day ! You'll find this when you participate in a large group of the deaf community. Get all the different experiences you can. Anticipate that when you get hired as an interpreter for large, all day events, you will not have to sign the entire time. For large events or assignments lasting over one hour, it is standard practice to use two interpreters who rotate to ensure effective communication. Generally, assignments exceeding one and a half hours will require a team of two interpreters rotating every 20 to 30 minutes due to the high mental and physical demands of interpreting. You can ask your ASL professor about this.
Not sure where you live, but bring warm clothing with you to college if you are from a warm climate. Pennsylvania gets snowy and cold in the Winter.
So, most of my advice is about the work itself. I think you will like your college and being in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. It's a pretty state, lots to do, too. Just be yourself, be organized and know that there are supports on campus if you need assistance with anything. Your academic plans sound wonderful so I think it will be a very positive and greatly fulfilling experience for you !
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
TO APPLY FOR THE DECEMBER 5TH SHOWCASE ON CAMPUS https://apply.commonwealthu.edu/register/?id=ebe9832d-d88c-488f-bbff-89442c77bf58
Congratulations on being accepted to Bloomsburg University ! That is super awesome ! I am happy to know that you will be Majoring In American Sign Language and English Interpreting.
If you possibly can make it, register for the Bloomsburg Major Showcase: American Sign Language and English Interpreting. You will have a tour of the Department, preview your future coursework, projects, and the plan for your career development ! It's a great chance to meet with current faculty and students for lunch on campus. Explore the campus on an optional campus tour. The showcase takes place on Friday, December 5, 2025 at 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM (Eastern time). You can register at the link to the registration form at the link below.
I should mention that I have ten years training in Deaf Culture, never made it to intermediate level with ASL, but have worked with Deaf clients in the human services field. I have some tips for you.
Working as an Interpreter in a hospital is very important. I'd really need to know where you lived, but where I live, what happens is that ASL Interpreters are registered at professional agencies and when an Interpreter is needed, the provider calls the agency and the agency sends you out to wherever one may be needed. Look online for these agencies in your area. Where I live, they also pay for transportation - a travel fee - if it's sort of far, but I do not know if all agencies do that. You can also freelance, work for yourself and that takes a bit of networking. The pay is VERY good, by the way.
Deaf individuals are covered under the Americans With Disabilities Act. This means that a place serving a deaf person has to hire an interpreter. This is usually done when the communication involves complex or critical communication. However, the business's size, financial resources, and overall expenses can allow the place not to hire an interpreter but they still have to make accommodations like having a family member present, but sometimes that is prohibited due to confidentiality and impartiality issues. You will probably learn this through your ASL path.
Many Interpreters are trained to not verbalize while they are interpreting to the deaf client. I only had one interpreter that verbalized as she spoke and signed to the deaf individual and that is very helpful to the worker (me) to get the full, complete conversation. You may be taught not to verbalize while speaking with the deaf person, and the reason that is given is that the ASL interpretation is for the deaf person, not the hearing person. But still, see how you feel personally about this. I can attest that it is much better when signing in front of a hearing person that they verbalize as they sign. It makes it more like a natural conversation and flows better. Ask a professor about what their trend is with this.
Use ASL every day. Find a volunteer opportunity within the Deaf Community where you will be attending college. ASL is one of those skills that you need to use a lot, daily, to have the experiences one needs to be fluent. Do NOT worry about failing. Since your major is one that is close to the heart, you will love it and find great motivation to stay on top of the work. You'll be great !
I had both deaf and hearing ASL teachers and I found that I did better learning from the hearing teachers, but learned a lot from the deaf teachers. You will find yourself adapting if you have a mix of hearing and deaf trainers/teachers for this.
From now until whenever, you can go to some very helpful websites to learn ASL. Lifeprint is one and also Signing Savvy. You might also find that the website Handspeak is useful. Practice now. Knowing the alphabet and spelling is a start. Oh, I almost forgot - ASL is not English, it's a language all its own. You'll learn how it differs during your ASL Program.
Attend any conferences, gatherings, events and activities for and about Deaf Culture. I once attended a Dialectic Behavioral Therapy for Deaf Clients Training. I barely spoke that whole day ! You'll find this when you participate in a large group of the deaf community. Get all the different experiences you can. Anticipate that when you get hired as an interpreter for large, all day events, you will not have to sign the entire time. For large events or assignments lasting over one hour, it is standard practice to use two interpreters who rotate to ensure effective communication. Generally, assignments exceeding one and a half hours will require a team of two interpreters rotating every 20 to 30 minutes due to the high mental and physical demands of interpreting. You can ask your ASL professor about this.
Not sure where you live, but bring warm clothing with you to college if you are from a warm climate. Pennsylvania gets snowy and cold in the Winter.
So, most of my advice is about the work itself. I think you will like your college and being in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. It's a pretty state, lots to do, too. Just be yourself, be organized and know that there are supports on campus if you need assistance with anything. Your academic plans sound wonderful so I think it will be a very positive and greatly fulfilling experience for you !
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Thank you Michelle, I have already been to one of the major showcases and toured the campus. I live in Chambersburg which is like two hours or so from Bloomsburg. There's not a lot of interepters for Deaf people around my area. Its very rare that you find any too. Bloomsburg or Mount Alyouis were my only two options which I stayed with Bloomsburg. My grandma works at Gesinger Hospital which is in need for interepreters.
Kailynn
You're welcome for the advice ! That sounds great ! I think you are well-prepared for your academic and career path and will discover opportunities after graduation. Remember, you can always freelance at this. I used one interpreter that worked for herself, not through an agency, and she does very well. Stay positive ! It's a wonderful career !
Michelle M.
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer, TRIO Program Administrator
1009
Answers
Tacoma, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
I would go on a campus tour, to determine which college is a right fit (something that I wish that I had done). Spend some time on the college campus getting to know the geography and where everything is located, and how each one of those offices can assist you in achieving success.
One thing, that I have observed in my college academic career, is students coming to a college without really knowing anything about the campus, its environment, the academic opportunities and advantages that each one offers, or the college campus region. Successful "Campus Navigation" is the one most important things, in my opinion, that starts each student on the road towards achieving their goals.
There are many reasons to attend a specific college, but you should (in my opinion), look at information on campus resources and academic assistance (like tutoring), academic majors, student life and housing, admissions, security and parking, library resources, and other elements of the campus, which can assist you in achieving your college goals.
It is best to spend time at the campus, talking with the students, staff, academic advisors, and getting a cognitive map of the region, to determine if it is the right fit for you and your future goals. As you become more comfortable, with the campus environment, the more your apprehension starts to decline.
Not only does the college campus have to fit you, but it also needs to fit your family, because they are going to go through the experience of having you away from home, and potentially providing you with resources, that you will require in order to achieve your goals on the campus, that you eventually choose to attend.
One thing, that I have observed in my college academic career, is students coming to a college without really knowing anything about the campus, its environment, the academic opportunities and advantages that each one offers, or the college campus region. Successful "Campus Navigation" is the one most important things, in my opinion, that starts each student on the road towards achieving their goals.
There are many reasons to attend a specific college, but you should (in my opinion), look at information on campus resources and academic assistance (like tutoring), academic majors, student life and housing, admissions, security and parking, library resources, and other elements of the campus, which can assist you in achieving your college goals.
It is best to spend time at the campus, talking with the students, staff, academic advisors, and getting a cognitive map of the region, to determine if it is the right fit for you and your future goals. As you become more comfortable, with the campus environment, the more your apprehension starts to decline.
Not only does the college campus have to fit you, but it also needs to fit your family, because they are going to go through the experience of having you away from home, and potentially providing you with resources, that you will require in order to achieve your goals on the campus, that you eventually choose to attend.