SMCM Parent/Family Newsletter Full Article

Student Self-Advocacy for Academic and Personal Success

Margaret Hurst, Academic Coaching Fellow

Office of Student Success Services (OS3)

November 2025

Going to college is a big step in a student’s life. It brings new freedom and responsibility. Students have to manage their time, take care of personal needs like laundry and meals, form new friendships, and keep up with schoolwork. This can be a lot to handle.

One of the most important skills students can develop during this time is self-advocacy—the ability to speak up for themselves and get the help they need. Parents and family members can support this growth by helping students become more aware of themselves, their goals, the resources around them, and how to communicate effectively.

1. Know Yourself: Building Self-Awareness

When students leave home for college, they are learning more about who they are. They continue to figure out what they believe in, what they want, and what they are good at.

Understanding both strengths and challenges is key. For example, a student might be great at managing time but need help with writing. Knowing this helps them use their strengths and ask for help when needed.

How families can help:

• Talk about what your student is good at and what they want to improve.
• Discuss how their strengths can help them in college.
• Help them think about ways to work on their challenges using campus support.

2. Set Goals and Stay Focused

Setting goals gives students direction and motivation. Short-term goals help with everyday tasks, and long-term goals give a sense of purpose.

Encourage your student to ask:

• Why am I going to college?
• What do I want to achieve this semester?
• What clubs or activities interest me?
• What do I want to do after graduation?

How families can help:

• Help students set goals for each semester.
• Talk about their bigger dreams and how college can help them get there.
• Show how short-term actions connect to long-term success.

3. Take Responsibility

College students must manage daily tasks like doing laundry, eating on time, sleeping enough, and keeping track of assignments. Unlike high school, there may not be reminders about due dates. Students need to take charge of their time and responsibilities.

How families can help:

• Make a list of things they’ll need to manage on their own.
• Encourage your student to practice life skills and tasks such as doing laundry, cleaning bathrooms, and planning and cooking meals while your student is at home.
• Point them toward campus offices that offer help when needed, such as the Office of Student Success Services (OS3) in Glendening 230.

4. Use Campus Resources

There are many helpful services on campus, but some students don’t know about them or are unsure if they should use them. Using resources like tutoring, the Writing and Speaking Center, or academic advisors is not cheating—it’s smart!

Also, students should learn about their rights and responsibilities on campus. This helps them understand what to expect from the school—and what the school expects from them.

How families can help:

• Encourage students to explore resources like tutoring, counseling, or professors’ office hours.
• Remind them to ask for help when they face a challenge.
• Remind them to read the Student Handbook, To The Point.
• Help them feel confident using the support systems available.

5. Practice Good Communication

Talking to professors or staff can feel intimidating at first. But learning how to communicate clearly and respectfully is a skill that helps now and later in life.

In-person conversations are often best. If a student needs to write an email, it should be polite and professional. Practicing these skills builds confidence.

How families can help:

• Encourage students to talk face-to-face with staff and professors.
• Practice conversations or role-play common college situations.
• Talk about how to write clear and respectful emails.

Let Students Take the Lead

As a parent or family member, it can be tempting to fix problems for your student. But it’s often better to guide them and let them solve problems on their own. This helps them grow more confident and independent.

Sometimes they will make mistakes—and that’s okay. Learning from failure is part of becoming an adult.

Helpful Campus Resources

• Office of Student Success Services (OS3): Academic support, tutoring, and help with college life.
• Academic Advisors: Help with choosing classes and planning majors.
• Office of Accessibility Services: Support for students with disabilities.
• Student Affairs: Offers health and counseling services, athletics, student clubs and activities, housing support, safety, and more.

For more support, families can contact:
Joanne Goldwater, Associate Dean for Retention and Student Success/Seahawk Family Liaison
(240) 895-4388
families@smcm.edu

Final Thoughts

Self-advocacy is a skill that takes time to develop. When students understand themselves, know their goals, use the help around them, and communicate well, they can succeed in college and beyond.

Parents and families play a big role in preparing students for this journey—not by solving every problem, but by helping students learn to solve problems for themselves.