Academic Advocacy is a professional service of QUT Guild, committed to supporting and representing the interests and needs of students in academic matters, navigating university policies and advocating for better quality of education. The Advocacy Team are collaborating with Glass on a series of articles to make sure you know your rights and to help students get through their studies as successfully as possible.
Self-Advocacy might sound like something a little too serious, but it’s a brilliant skill that can make your life a heck of a lot easier! It’s about speaking up for yourself, knowing what it is that you need, and making sure you get the support you need.
So, imagine you’re feeling overwhelmed with assessment, and you’re not quite sure how to handle it all. Instead of stressing out, you use your self-advocacy skills to put in an extension request and give your unit coordinator a heads up that you need a little bit of help.
Self-advocacy is also about setting boundaries with yourself and others! Setting boundaries with yourself could look like committing to five hours a week of uninterrupted study time at the library, limiting your screen time, or making sure that you are getting enough sleep each night. Setting these boundaries with yourself is a great way to combat procrastination and ensure you’re prioritising your academic goals.
Setting boundaries with others can be particularly daunting, especially when doing so with people you may not know too well, such as your peers in your group project. To ensure successful boundary setting it is crucial that you try your best to communicate clearly and effectively. To do so, try thinking about your body language, tone, and timing. For example, when participating in a group project you want to make sure that you choose the appropriate timing to set a boundary with your group. So, if you’re working on a collaborative assignment, be sure to communicate your availability and set boundaries around what times you’re contactable and be sure to time this early on in the project – don’t leave it to the last minute!
This will assist you in minimising potential issues that often arise in group work. Another example in this context could be asserting your boundaries as to your preferred method of communication, such as opting for email communication to set a professional tone, rather than Instagram DM’s.
While these are some examples of in-class advocacy, these skills can also translate into useful life skills. Reaching out for help when you need it and setting boundaries can have a profoundly positive impact on your life! This is because doing so supports you in building self-awareness, maintaining healthy relationships, and cultivating resilience. Beyond your studies, these skills will increase your employability and ensure a smooth transition into the professional world.
Developing self-advocacy skills during your time as a university student is a valuable investment into yourself, your academics, and your professional career, that will undoubtably serve you well long after you have graduated. While it can be tricky at first, each time you advocate for yourself, no matter if it is in an academic, personal, or professional setting, you get better at it – so why not give self-advocacy a go today!
Join us for a series of three empowering advocacy workshops designed to enhance your personal, professional, and academic journey. Led by our wonderful Guild Student Advocacy Manager, Emma Surman, with special guest Associate Professor Jenni Mays, these sessions will equip you with valuable skills and insights.
Click the links to book your spot!
Topic 1: In-Class Advocacy – Wednesday 2nd October
This workshop aims to empower students to effectively communicate their needs, set boundaries, and navigate various challenges they may encounter in academic settings, personal life, and their future professional environments.
Topic 2: Life Skills – Wednesday 9th October
This workshop aims to empower students to effectively communicate their needs, set boundaries, and navigate various challenges they may encounter in academic settings, personal life, and their future professional environments.
Topic 3: Professional Workplace – Wednesday 16th October
This workshop aims to empower students to effectively communicate their needs, set boundaries, and navigate various challenges they may encounter in academic settings, personal life, and their future professional environments.
