You are Your Best Advocate

Starting college comes with a ton of independence. You’re not going home from school to your house every day where there was most likely a home cooked meal for dinner. You will no longer have your parents asking you “How was school?” to which you responded “It was fine” every single day because nothing really ever changed. You learn to rely on and trust yourself to make decisions you think are best for you. That being said, freshman year can be very overwhelming; it was for me and a number of other students. It is very easy to lose your voice when you’re just trying to make sure you wake up for that 8am, four hour long, chemistry lab or attempting to remember to eat three times a day. You have to remember that you are your best and only advocate. No one will stand up for you better than you. Do not let “friends” take advantage of your homework answers and do not make promises you can’t keep. Do not be afraid to question a grading procedure or challenge notes you think are wrong. You deserve to be treated fairly and to be given the same opportunities as every other student.  Remember, the only person who can truly set you up for success is yourself. 

Stephanie Prohaska is a senior majoring in Industrial Engineering and is a Mentor for WEPO'16!