Today’s students are dealing with a lot, whether it’s navigating confusing course requirements or dealing with stress and loneliness. But despite these struggles, many find it hard to speak up when it matters most. And while universities are doing more than ever to support student wellbeing, one crucial skill often gets overlooked: teaching students how to ask for support in the first place.

That’s where self-advocacy comes in. At its core, it’s about students recognizing their own needs and having the confidence to communicate them clearly – whether to a professor, a peer, or a support service. It not only helps students succeed academically, but also builds resilience, independence, and confidence long after graduation.

But why are students so reluctant to speak up? What barriers do they face when they try to do so? And how can Higher Education (HE) professionals make it easier for them to make their voices heard? Let’s find out.

Why Self-Advocacy Matters

Self-advocacy is a fundamental life skill; a crucial tool that can help students navigate complex systems, advocate for their wellbeing, and build the confidence to take control of their own lives.

The impact of self-advocacy is significant, with research showing that students who practice it have higher GPAs and achieve better academic outcomes. Benefits reach beyond the classroom, too, helping students ensure that their needs are being met in all areas of life. 

For marginalized students in particular, this skill can be the difference between being supported and feeling overlooked. Take disabled students, for example. Research shows that while 87% received accommodations in high school, only 19% do at college. This isn’t because their needs disappear – but because many students either don’t know how to ask for help or fear being dismissed or shamed for doing so. 

Self-advocacy helps students build long-term independence, teaching them how to speak up when something isn’t working – whether that’s a confusing assignment, a group conflict, or a challenging wellbeing issue. But we can’t assume students arrive at college already knowing how to do this. Like any skill, self-advocacy needs to be taught, practiced, and supported from the start.

Why It’s Hard to Engage Students on Self-Advocacy

For many students, the hardest part of self-advocacy is knowing where to begin – and that makes it harder for them to try in the first place. 

They might not know who to talk to, or worry they’ll be seen as difficult, dramatic, or demanding. Some second-guess whether their needs are valid at all. This hesitation can be especially strong among first-year students, who are still learning how to navigate university systems – and may be doing it without much guidance.

The challenge for institutions is that the students who most need self-advocacy skills are often the ones least likely to speak up. If a student doesn’t feel confident, they’re unlikely to attend a workshop or respond to an email about how to ask for help.

A root cause is that in K-12 education, there’s often little emphasis on self-advocacy – things like setting boundaries, asking for accommodations, or navigating complex support systems. So by the time students reach college, many are underprepared and reluctant to engage.

That’s why normalizing these challenges is so important. To increase engagement, institutions need to meet students where they are – showing that self-advocacy isn’t just for “confident” students, and that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. Confidence takes time to build, but with the right support, it’s something every student can learn.

Helping Students Find Their Voices

For self-advocacy to stick, students need practical, accessible ways to build confidence over time. That means making support feel manageable, relatable, and available wherever students are.

Start with the Basics

It’s easy to assume students know how to ask for help – but many don’t. That’s why it’s so important to build self-advocacy into the early student experience.

Orientation sessions, academic advising, and skills workshops are all great opportunities to introduce the concept: What is self-advocacy? Why does it matter? And how can it be put into practice? Activities like reflection exercises or goal-setting prompts (What’s working for you? What do you want to achieve? What support would help?) can help students better understand their needs – and who to turn to for support.

Meet Students Where They Are

Let’s be honest: students don’t always show up to office hours. And if they’re struggling with confidence, they’re even less likely to respond to an email or book a one-on-one.

That’s where digital delivery comes in. Mobile-friendly, bite-sized courses can meet students where they already spend their time – on their phones – and reach them in the moments when it matters most. When content is short, practical, and uses language students actually relate to, it becomes much easier to engage.

Low-Stakes, High Impact

Self-advocacy can feel risky – but it doesn’t have to. With the right digital tools, students can practice communication skills in a low-stakes environment.

Interactive content like quizzes, reflection prompts, and gamified exercises give students a chance to apply skills like assertive communication, planning difficult conversations, or navigating pushback – all without the fear of getting it “wrong.” Immediate feedback helps build confidence, and the more students practice, the easier speaking up becomes.

Timing is Everything

The right message at the right time can make all the difference. Nudges delivered before key moments – like orientation, midterms, or exam season – can prompt students to stop, reflect, and take action.

Small nudges can also reinforce progress. A reminder that says “Great job speaking up – what’s your next step?” can be the encouragement students need to keep building momentum.

Reaching the Students Who Need It Most

Some of the students most in need of support are also the least likely to ask for it. First-generation students, disabled students, and those with mental health challenges often face added barriers to speaking up.

Digital platforms help close that gap – providing private, judgment-free spaces for students to engage with topics like confidence, boundaries, and help-seeking. And when self-advocacy is woven into wider wellbeing and academic support offerings, it becomes more than a nice-to-have. It becomes part of how students learn to thrive.

Building Confidence Together

Self-advocacy is one of the most important skills a student can learn – but it doesn’t come naturally to everyone. HE professionals have a key role to play: modeling, teaching, and creating a culture where speaking up is normal. With the right tools and support, students can build lasting confidence – and take charge of their own success.

About GoodCourse

Universities use GoodCourse to improve student outcomes by delivering impactful training courses, built for today’s students – by pairing social-media-style content with expert research.

From anti-harassment training to promoting civil discourse, universities trust GoodCourse to provide students and staff with the tools they need to build safer, more connected campuses.

‍Talk to a member of our team today to learn about how other universities are improving student outcomes, student safety, and meeting regulatory requirements.

FAQs

1. How does self-advocacy support retention and student success?

‍Students who can identify their needs and seek help early are less likely to fall through the cracks – especially during key transition points or moments of crisis.

2. What if students are too anxious to engage with staff directly?

‍Digital tools provide a low-pressure environment for students to practice communication skills and build confidence before reaching out in person.

3. How can we scale self-advocacy training across a large student population?‍

Micro-learning platforms make it easy to deliver practical, engaging content at scale – reaching students with the right message at the right time.