Self-Advocacy: “If I Do It, What Is My Student Learning?”

When your student faces an administrative hurdle or an issue with a campus service, your natural instinct may be to step in and handle it for them. However, true student growth happens when they learn to navigate these situations independently.

Before you intervene on your student’s behalf, ask yourself this critical question: “If I do this, what is my student learning?”

Encourage your student to practice proactive self-advocacy through these steps:

• Contact campus offices directly: University administrators prefer working directly with students. When a student calls or emails an office, they build essential communication skills and direct campus relationships.

• Voice their own concerns: If your student disagrees with a situation, let them learn to articulate their perspective and advocate for themselves respectfully.

• Manage the logistical legwork: Allow your student to take charge of researching policies, ordering textbooks, or finding local services.

Watching your child navigate challenges can bring a wave of worry, but every small hurdle they clear on their own builds lifelong confidence. You are doing a wonderful job guiding them from the sidelines.