Encouraging Self-Advocacy for Success in High School, College, and Beyond
A student’s ability to advocate for themselves is often the quality that most sets them up for success, the difference between falling behind and getting the help they need to soar.
By Elie
Student at the University of Michigan · High School Tutor
Why self-advocacy?
A student’s ability to advocate for themselves in academic settings is often the quality that most sets them up for success in school. We often glaze past it, focusing on purely academic skills: computation, critical thinking, and the like. However, self-advocacy can be the differentiation between a student who falls behind and one who gets the help they need and soars.
Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness
It’s important to thoroughly engrain the idea that asking for help is one of the truest signs of strength in a person. Admitting to failure, or even just that we may need an extra hand, especially in the classroom, feels humiliating to many, if not all of us. However, the student who recognizes their need for support and takes action is the strongest student of them all.
Praise and remind your kids that seeking help and support makes them stronger students and human beings.
Teachers are there to help as leaders, mentors, and resources
Especially in high school and college, teachers LOVE to have students who show interest, curiosity, and drive in their classes. Remind your students that teachers teach because they love their subject, so they will love to share that with students.
It may be easiest to start practicing self-advocacy by simply building relationships with teachers. After all, the comfort and confidence that stem from relationships with teachers are key to feeling safe reaching out for help when the time comes.
Make an action plan
Sit down with your student and plan out times for them to go to each teacher’s office hours. If there are no office hours, help them write out an email asking to meet to talk outside of class. Or, even simpler, sit down and help them plan out a question to ask during, after, or before class.
Having a concrete plan to help your student advocate for themself doesn’t have to be complicated, and in fact can start with just a five-minute conversation. Encouraging them to advocate for themselves and recognize when they would benefit from support, even if they’re not struggling, will help them build confidence and succeed throughout their academic journey.
About the author
Elie
Student at the University of Michigan · High School Tutor
Hi! I’m Elie, a University of Michigan student and high school tutor. I love helping students take the stress out of the college application process and build the confidence to advocate for themselves in and out of the classroom. I’d love to work with your student, schedule a session with me today!
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