One of the most undervalued lessons in education is how to be your own educational advocate. It’s important that you are able to fight for your own education and right to learn. These are not skills that are innate, and they certainly take time to practice and develop.
As I’ve transitioned to college and medical school, I’ve had to become my own educational advocate. No one will fight for your future like you. The first step to getting where you want to go is to become your own educational advocate. Here are some tips to help you out with that:
1. Speak to professors/teachers
Your professors and teachers are there to help you. It can be intimidating talking to them, especially if they aren’t the most personable. However, it’s essential to your learning and academic success that you develop relationships with them. If you want to become your own educational advocate, learning how to do this is very beneficial. Some classes are really hard and easy to push aside. But, if you want to do well academically, you have to put the same effort towards hard classes as you do the easier ones.
If you’re struggling in a class, work with your faculty to understand the material. They are the ones making exams and in charge of the grades. Talking with your classmates can be helpful, but your professors are the ones who really hold the magic. Here’s how you can build a successful relationship with your teachers:
- Before scheduling an appointment, check online resources or emails they’ve already provided for information so you’re not answering questions they have already answered.
- Schedule appointments to meet with them and be on time.
- Check the syllabus for office hours and appointments.
- Send them a professional email with a greeting, body and sign off asking to see them during those office hours, or to schedule an appointment.
- Make the appointment and be on time. They are really busy so respect their time.
- Come prepared with direct questions or general areas of direction. They don’t have time for you to come in and ask them about “everything”.
- Attempt the work by yourself before you go. This will help you generate questions and show that you put in effort before coming to see the professor.
- Don’t wait until the last minute to ask for help. Ask for help weeks in advance before the exams.
2. Track your own progress
Every school has a curriculum that leads to graduation. It’s your responsibility to know where you are and what you have left to complete. Equipping yourself with this information will strengthen your ability to be your own educational advocate. When you’re in high school, this is a little more simple. Plan out your schedule semesters ahead so you aren’t in the final months being told you can’t graduate because you’re missing a class.
As you get into college and higher education, it is especially important to know where you are. Colleges make money off of students that attend school past scholarships. These scholarships normally end after four years. If you have planned to take longer than four years, then that’s fine. But if not, then it’s important you track your graduation.
This information is online and completely accessible. Find it on your school’s website and cross off classes as you take them. Also make sure to enroll in the required ones early. You’d rather take “schedule fillers” at the end after completing all of your requirements than the other way around. Force the issue with your counselors and make sure you get in the classes you need.
3. Take networking into your own hands
Moving up in education and in the workforce is very much a game of who you know. You may not always be in positions where someone will introduce you to someone important. It will be up to you to make that connection. If you enter school knowing that networking is important, then you’re already ahead of the game.
Actually networking can be a little tricky. It takes a little vulnerability and a lot of confidence (real or fake). You have to be willing to put yourself out there and risk potentially getting blown off or rejected. However, one of those interactions will work in your favor. Here are some keys to networking:
- Attend meetings or events that your campus is holding.
- Dress nicely and always make a good first impression.
- Make sure to pay attention to what their name was and even grab a business card if you can.
- Introduce yourself, speak clearly and confidently.
- Stay off your phone and make eye contact. Use positive and strong body language, making sure to stay engaged in the conversation.
- Either carry a business card or follow up the conversation with the promise of keeping in touch. Reach out a couple of days later re-introducing yourself, how nice it was to meet that person, and a proposal to set up a short meeting to discuss your future, tips, etc.
4. Build relationships with higher ups
Higher ups are very well-connected and are great people to have in your network. Higher ups are your principals, deans, associate deans, directors, etc. They have worked a long time and know a lot of people. Better than anyone, they will know how to get you where you want to go.
Creating relationships with them can be difficult, but only if you want it to be. I’ve managed to have some sort of interaction with higher ups at every school I’ve attended. It has definitely paid off in the long run. My college President even wrote me a recommendation letter for medical school. Granted I have gone to smaller schools and larger institutions may be a little trickier, but not impossible. Here are some ways to create those relationships:
- Introduce yourself to them at large campus events where they are in attendance.
- If possible, schedule appointments with them and ask questions about their path and tips they have for you.
- Become a leader of large organizations that meet often with presidents and deans.
- Accomplish an impressive feat that brings positive attention to your institution. This could be in research, athletics, academics, community service, media, etc.
- Don’t be intimidated speaking to them. Be professional, make a good first impression and radiate confidence.
5. Do your own research
You have to be the biggest investor in your future. If you sit around and wait for someone to show you the way, then you will never get where you want to go. There is so much information on the internet, that you can research exactly how to get where you want to go. This knowledge, too, will help you be your own educational advocate. You can also look up people who are where you want to be that can help direct you. This is a part of building your network.
After taking these steps, you can use this information to guide your conversations with professors and counselors. Be open minded to what they’re telling you, but also be very aware of what your goals are and what you need to do to achieve them. You may have to strongly advocate for yourself and what you know you need to others who may be leading you down a misleading path. Be confident in your dreams and work so hard towards them that nothing can stand in your way.
6. Challenge yourself and press the issue
Being your own education advocate means taking classes and paths that are hard and challenging. Anyone can just float through the system. However, to actually drive the boat in the direction you need to go for success, you may have to press the issue. Counselors often times are overworked and trying to meet agendas that may not align with yours.
Don’t be afraid to push back a little if you feel that they are simply putting you in classes that you don’t need or don’t want to take. If they don’t believe that you can handle certain classes, don’t let them talk you out of challenging yourself.
If you are willing to put in the work to make it happen, then no one can tell you otherwise. Often times students of color, specifically, are discouraged from taking challenging or honors classes. However, it’s your right to take classes that you qualify for. Be adamant about your participation in these classes and don’t take no for an answer.
Colleges want to see you push yourself and would rather see you with A’s, B’s, and a few C’s in really challenging classes, then flying by in all on-level classes. You not believing you can succeed is only because someone told you that or you don’t want to be uncomfortable. You may have to get a little uncomfortable in your pursuit of greatness.