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Becoming Your Own Advocate

Throughout our childhoods our parents conduct the majority of our problem solving for us. As we move into adulthood, it becomes our responsibility to carry out our own problem solving and to advocate for ourselves.

Moving from Dependence to Interdependence

One of the goals of higher education is to develop free thinkers - individuals who can use a broad knowledge base along with the skills of analysis and critical thinking in order to form their own opinions and to make sound decisions. Problem solving is one aspect of this goal. As you move from your teenage years to adulthood, you need to develop the capacity to analyze problems, formulate possible solutions, and carry out those solutions.

If you haven't had much practice in problem solving difficult issues, that should soon change. Research has shown that young adults experience tremendous personal growth during their college years. Arthur Chickering, a scholar in the field of student development, describes how college students move from dependence on others, such as parents, to development of self-direction and recognition of interdependence. This means that while it is often appropriate (and encouraged) to consult with others as part of the problem solving process and others are often part of a problem's solution, in the end, mature adults are able to conduct their own problem solving and to carry out solutions.

Becoming your own problem solver and advocate can seem a little daunting at first. After all, you are starting a new life, are living in a new environment, and are probably experiencing situations that may seem overwhelming. Isn't the simplest solution to call home to ask your mom or dad to solve a problem for you rather than solving it yourself? While this may provide you with a short term solution, over the long term it is not the best solution. Think of your college years as practice for your future professional and personal lives. Your future employer will expect you to be able to solve problems and carry out solutions. Whether negotiating with your boss for a pay raise or a plumber to get work done in a timely manner, you will need to be able to advocate for yourself throughout your life. Now is the perfect time to practice these skills. While walking into an office to ask a question or to request an exception to a policy may seem a little intimidating at first, it becomes easier over time and you will develop skills that will benefit you for many years to come.

Problem Solving Skills

Whether you are working through a big decision, such as choosing an academic major, or a small issue, like needing to approach an instructor with a question, knowing the steps to the problem solving process can be helpful.
  1. Clearly define the problem: What are the facts? What is the cause of the problem? Focusing on the cause rather than the effect will allow you to more clearly define the problem and look for appropriate solutions.
  2. Generate possible solutions: Brainstorm as many solutions as possible. Consider how you've solved similar problems in the past. Consult with others to gain their insights - this includes friends, family members, and "experts". Write down the pros and cons of each solution. Give yourself time to consider possibilities and even take a day or two to let the problem sit and then revisit the solutions with a fresh perspective.
  3. Create a plan: Choose the solution that you decide is best and then decide how you will implement it.
  4. Carry out your plan: Execute the steps you define in step 3. Also take time to evaluate how well the solution worked and how you would adapt it in the future.

Problem Solving College Issues

When solving problems related to college life and your educational and career goals, make use of the resources that are readily available at UMD.   Your academic advisor can serve a vital role in helping you define a problem and brainstorm possible solutions.  If you don’t know who to go to for assistance, then start with a general resource like the First Year Experience office or CLA Student Affairs and Advising Center.  Numerous on-campus resources also exist that might be part of your solution.  Check out this link to the “Campus Resources” page.  Making use of appropriate resources is a clear sign you have achieved the interdependence we mentioned at the start of this article.

By employing sound problem solving skills you will develop into a strong advocate for yourself.  The bottomline… If you have a question, find the answer.  If you are struggling academically, seek assistance in defining the problem and exploring possible solutions.  If resources exist that can be part of your solution, make use of them.  However, in the end, be accountable for solving your own problems.  It is YOUR right and responsibility (not that of your parents or advisor) to advocate for yourself

Link to Additional Information on the Web

Student records privacy http://www.d.umn.edu/registrar/access.html
Help with personal/health-related topics http://www.d.umn.edu/hlthserv/counseling/common_concerns.html
Links to student resources www.d.umn.edu/students/
Major and career decision making process http://careers.d.umn.edu/cs_handbook/

Reference: Chickering, Arthur. Education and Identity. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1993.