Professor Talk Slides Session 4: Postsecondary Advocacy
Own Your Next Step
A Self-Advocacy and Transition Readiness Group
The Great Shift .
High School
Teachers check in on you.
Accommodations are automatic.
The system advocates for you.
College & Beyond
You start the conversation.
You disclose your needs.
You manage the follow-up.
The Professor Paradox
Professors want you to succeed, but they have hundreds of students.
"If a student doesn't tell me they need extended time, I assume they don't need it. I'm not allowed to guess."
Advocacy = Providing Information
The Advocacy Blueprint
Start it. Say it. Set it up.
3 Steps to Success
1
START THE CONVO
“Hey, I’m in your class and I use accommodations.”
2
SAY WHAT YOU NEED
“I’ll need extended time on exams.”
3
MAKE A PLAN
“What’s the best way to set that up?”
Reality Check
Practice here. Feel awkward now.
01
Scenario
02
Role
03
Action
Scenario A
The Intro
Introduce yourself to your History professor after class to confirm they received your letter of accommodations.
The Twist
The professor is packing up their bag and seems to be in a major hurry to get to their next office hour.
Scenario D
The Follow-Up
You already asked for help once, but nothing changed. You are still struggling and you need a change now.
The Twist
They respond: “I don’t have time right now.” How do you push back professionally?
The Paper Trail .
In-person talks are Step 1.
"Hi Professor, thanks for chatting today. Confirming we agreed on the 1.5x time for Wednesday's exam. See you then!"
Subject Line Check
"Hey" or (No Subject)
"Math 102: Accommodations - [Alex Smith]"
Next Step .
Self-advocacy is a habit, not a one-time event.
Reflect
What felt natural?
Adjust
What felt hard?
Commit
What's your move?
Real Talk Scenarios Handout Session 4 Activity
Reality Check Scenarios
OWN YOUR NEXT STEP
Practice the 3-Step Blueprint: Start the Convo → Say What You Need → Make a Plan.
Scenario A: The Intro
Approach your History professor after class to confirm they received your letter of accommodations.
Twist:
The professor is packing their bag and in a major hurry.
Scenario B: The Confusion
The instructor just explained a complex project. You didn't fully catch the steps and need clarification.
Twist:
“You don’t get it? What part don’t you get?”
Scenario C: The First Job
You just started a job. Your manager explains a task once and walks away. You didn't fully understand it.
Twist:
“It’s pretty straightforward—you’ll be fine.”
Scenario D: The Follow-Up
You already asked for help once, but nothing changed and you are still struggling with the material.
Twist:
They respond: “I don’t have time right now.”
Practice & Reflection
A sentence to start the convo
A sentence for “the need”
What felt hardest: starting it, saying what you need, or making a plan?
What is one thing you would say differently next time?
Own Your Next Step • Advocacy is a Muscle
Advocacy Action Guide Session 4: Support
Activity Role Guide
OWN YOUR NEXT STEP
The Advocate
"Coordinate a plan for your tools."
Look at the authority.
State the specific tool.
Confirm the plan.
The Authority
"Be realistic. Don't make it easy."
Ask "Wait, why?"
Act busy/distracted.
Suggest a shortcut.
The Observer
"Watch the blueprint steps."
Clear Intro?
Said the Need?
Finalized a Plan?
The Advocacy Script Blueprint
Step 01 START THE CONVO
"Hey, I’m in your ________________________ class and I use accommodations."
Step 02 SAY WHAT YOU NEED
"I'll need ________________________ for our upcoming tests and quizzes."
Step 03 MAKE A PLAN
"What is the best way to ________________________?"
Refer to this guide during your role play scenarios
Next Step Reflection Sheet Session 4: Debrief
Next Step Reflection
Name:
Date:
1. Role Play Analysis
What was the hardest part of the conversation?
What felt most natural or successful?
2. Strategy Check
How did you handle the "Twist" or pushback from the Authority figure?
Which step (START THE CONVO, SAY WHAT YOU NEED, MAKE A PLAN) needs more practice?
Your "Professor Pitch"
Draft the exact sentence you'll use to introduce yourself and your needs on campus. Keep it professional, clear, and confident.
Own Your Next Step • Advocacy Reflection
Facilitator Notes Session 4 Session 4: Facilitator Guide
Own Your Next Step: Self-Advocacy & Transition
Session Objectives
Skill: Use the 3-step Blueprint (Start/Say/Plan) to independently request accommodations.
Mindset: Reframe advocacy as professional coordination rather than "asking for a favor."
Action: Apply "The Paper Trail" (follow-up emails) to document all verbal agreements.
Persistence: Demonstrate confidence when facing barriers like busy or resistant authorities.
01 THE HOOK • THE FIRST DAY (5m)
Visualize the lecture hall. Transition from high school's "automatic" support to college's "self-initiated" system.
02 INSTRUCTION • BLUEPRINT & TRAIL (10m)
Review Start the Convo → Say What You Need → Make a Plan .
"The Paper Trail": Introduce this as "insurance." "A talk isn't done until you send the follow-up email. It protects you if the professor forgets."
03 ACTIVITY • REALITY CHECK (25m)
Groups of 3 using Action Guide and Scenarios Handout .
Handout Tips
Explain the "Practice Notes": Give 2 minutes to jot down a sentence for "Starting the Convo" and "The Need" before acting.Encourage "Pushback": The 'Authority' role should use the twists to make it realistic.
04 REFLECTION • DEBRIEF (10m)
Distribute Reflection Sheet . Students draft their "Professor Pitch" to close.
Strategy & Email Tips
Authority Anxiety
Reframe professors as service providers. Students are coordinating access to a service they pay for.
The Email Habit
Sent 10 min after the talk. Subject: Course - Topic - Name.
Sample Follow-Up Email
"Hi Professor [Name], Thanks for chatting today. Just confirming we agreed on the plan for [Course]. Best, [Your Name]"
Session 4 Facilitator Guide • Transitions
