Welcome back to another blog, Missouri State Bears! We are in week thirteen of the semester and there are no signs of slowing down. At the end of a semester, there can be a lot on a college student’s plate. In moments of stress or feeling overwhelmed, it can be easy to lose sight of what to prioritize, what battles are worth fighting, and when to advocate for yourself. I’ve recently learned the importance of self-advocacy and want to share it with others to feel empowered. 

What is self-advocacy?

Self-advocacy is when you identify what you need and make fair decisions and requests based on those needs. You can compare this to giving a presentation without doing any prior research: the chances of you being taken seriously are less. Once you have an understanding of yourself and what it is that you need, you must communicate with others. Bringing in others will give you the support you may need in a time of vulnerability. Advocating for yourself can be daunting and uncomfortable so letting others in helps. 

When would I need to advocate for myself?

Not every situation will require you to advocate for yourself but there is a list of situations that commonly arise during your college years. When creating this list I wanted to brainstorm scenarios that are typical towards the end of the school year and I came up with the following:

• Deciding which roommate will get to keep certain items.
• Concerns regarding the final grade in a class.
• A conversation with a parent about summer plans.

How to Advocate for Yourself

Every situation will look different but there are some important steps that you should consider before stepping into advocacy. Once you understand what is upsetting you and your needs, you can make a plan. Making a plan helps you have your points laid out and ensures that you’re being fair. Communication then comes into play, you want to be sure that your voice is heard and your message is delivered. For example, if you have a job offer in your college town instead of being home for the summer you should create a plan before talking to your parents. Write down what they may ask you so you have an answer prepared and know why you feel the way you do. 

Takeaways

Learning to advocate for yourself is an important asset to have the older you get as new situations arise. Self-advocacy isn’t mastered overnight, and it can be uncomfortable if you’re not used to it. The Center for Academic Success and Transition office offers peer mentors and success coaches who can help guide students. Every individual deserves to feel heard, and our team is here to listen. Consider visiting us during our drop-in hours (Spring 2024: Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.) or requesting a meeting online. 

~Aubrey

(Bio: My name is Aubrey Hardy, a junior studying special needs education. Fun fact: I grew up on a farm.)