By Saron Gebereegziabhier
Trinity Times Correspondent
The transition from high school to college marks a critical period in personal growth, where independence and responsibility become cornerstones of academic and personal success. In this environment, self-advocacy is not just beneficial — it’s essential.
Self-advocacy is defined as the ability to understand and effectively communicate one’s needs, rights and interests. It involves taking initiative to express thoughts and desires, make informed decisions, and take responsibility for those decisions. In college, this skill empowers students to manage their responsibilities — from navigating group projects to seeking academic support.
“College is the first step to adulthood for most people, and self-advocacy helps students learn to handle their own responsibilities, such as managing coursework, seeking resources and addressing personal needs,” said Hermela Shimels, a sophomore biology major at Trinity Washington University.
Effective self-advocacy is deeply tied to another vital skill: communication.
Communication is the foundation upon which students build relationships, access resources and seek help when needed.
“Communication is the clear, confident expression of your needs, rights, preferences and boundaries to others,” said Jade Carmen, a Trinity sophomore majoring in forensic science. “It involves speaking up for yourself, actively listening, asking questions and using respectful dialogue to ensure your voice is heard and understood.”
The importance of communication in college cannot be overstated, Carmen told Trinity Times.
“It is a foundation for you being able to accomplish everything you want to achieve while you are there,” she said.
Whether it’s asking for homework help, requesting deadline extensions or arranging meetings, communication is crucial for navigating academic life successfully.
Communication styles vary and affect how individuals express themselves. The four main communication styles — assertive, aggressive, passive and passive-aggressive — can shape interactions in significant ways.
“Passive communication may mean temporary happiness by avoiding confrontation, but in the long run, you’ll find that failing to express your needs clearly will cause a lot of conflict and extra stress,” said Z’Kari Williams, who graduated from Trinity’s Early College Academy last spring. The program allows high school students to attend Trinity during their final two years, earning both a high school diploma and an associate degree.
In today’s interconnected world, communication also occurs through a variety of channels. Verbal communication takes place in person, such as during office hours or class discussions. Nonverbal cues like body language and eye contact convey messages without words. Written communication — essays, emails — and digital tools like Zoom and messaging apps are also vital.
“There’s so many ways to communicate these days,” Williams said, emphasizing the importance of adapting communication styles to context and medium.
It’s not unusual for college students to struggle with self-advocacy and communication, prompting Shimels, Carmen and Williams to offer advice drawn from their own experiences.
“Before I came to college, I was living with my parents, and everything was kind of like done for me,” Shimels said. “I would find myself, like, in the middle of the night with no water. So, I had to get over the fear of asking questions.”
Their collective advice is simple yet powerful: speak up.
“Closed mouths don’t get fed,” Shimels said.
“Nobody holds your hand in college,” Carmen added.
For students entering college — or those already navigating its demands — mastering self-advocacy and communication is transformative. As these Trinity Washington University students highlighted, speaking up for yourself is not just about getting through college — it’s about owning your education, your growth and your future.