In the landscape of higher education, it is easy to lose yourself in the wave of assignments and the restrictive nature of the historically exclusionary institution of academia. As a female-identifying student, it might feel daunting to speak up and express yourself in the classroom and other settings. This experience only becomes more isolating as a female-identifying student who lies within the intersections of race, sexuality, and/or class. Keep reading to gain some tips on how to find and maintain your voice on campus and in your community!
Incorporate your passions into your academic work
Is there an issue, movement, or interest that you find yourself coming back to? Whether that be climate change, reproductive rights, or fashion history, you can bring those passions into your assignments. In discussion posts, find ways to incorporate your passion into your response. The same can be done for papers, as they give more room to research your interests. This can be applied to a variety of majors and courses. For example, in your public speaking course, write a speech about the implications of corporate “green washing” that aligns with the rubric. As a health science major, you could discuss race and gender disparities in the medical field to contextualize a paper. By doing this, you can make your assignments far more enjoyable, making it easier to get them done. You will be able to become more confident in speaking up and differentiating yourself in the classroom if you feel passionate about your work.
Develop your personal style
This aspect of finding your voice may seem minuscule, but self-expression goes beyond verbal methods of communication. By developing your everyday style, you will feel more comfortable in your skin on campus, making it more likely for you to feel confident in the classroom. Some useful resources to learn more about your personal style include YouTube videos, online magazines, and inspiration from platforms like Pinterest or TikTok. While these are great starting points, allowing yourself to experiment and push past your comfort zone in small ways will prove to be the most effective step in this process. If you have the funds or the ability to save, invest in quality materials and the basics to build from. Look at what’s trending, but only incorporate small aspects of those trends to give yourself space to be creative. Your personal style will change over time, but committing to this part of your personal identity will make self-expression much easier in both academic and non-academic spaces.
“Imagination is one of the most powerful modes of resistance that oppressed and exploited folks can do and use.”
bell hooks
Make time for your hobbies and interests
Finding time for yourself as a college student is easier said than done. Adding small ways to maintain your hobbies and other passions will allow you to feel less stifled in the college setting. These ways could include reading for at least 15 minutes per day, baking at least once a week, or writing for at least 30 minutes every other day. The confidence you’ll gain from giving yourself a space to express yourself outside of the classroom will spill into your academic experience. If you don’t have a dedicated hobby or pastime, here are some ideas to get you started: downloading Letterboxd and writing movie reviews, watching makeup tutorials and trying new looks, or developing a workout routine that you enjoy. Scheduling in rest and indulgence in your hobbies will help you maintain a healthy patterns in your school-life balance. In bell hooks’ book Teaching Critical Thinking: Practical Wisdom, she writes that “imagination is one of the most powerful modes of resistance that oppressed and exploited folks can do and use.” By creating time to cultivate your imagination through your hobbies, you will only grow stronger in academic spaces and beyond.
Find (or start) organizations on and Off campus that align with your interests or political passions
One of the best ways to maintain your voice in college is by joining campus organizations that align with your special interests. You will be able to connect with like-minded students who are most likely struggling with or are currently working on maintaining their unique voice on campus and in their community. Specifically at Sacramento State, there are hundreds of clubs that you can explore. From Caribbean Student Association to Diverse Women in Political Science to Student Fashion Association, there is an organization for you! If you’re looking to get more active on campus, apply for executive board positions in your club or start your own organization to further your self-expression journey. There are a variety of online and off campus communities that can fit your niche interest. Consider joining your local chapter of Noname Book Club, a radical reading collective that connects with community members both in and out of the carceral system, or submitting personal essays or poetry to magazines like The Fig Tree Magazine or Ebony Tomatoes Collective.
Within all these strategies, take away what works best for you and leave what doesn’t. Starting small will make this process far more enriching for your personal growth. Throughout the process of finding and maintaining your voice, you will learn skills and details about yourself that will benefit you after graduation. Here at Her Campus, we want to be a resource you can rely on. Your self-discovery journey will constantly change, but with these skills, you will be well-equipped for it all.
Feel free to refer to these strategies as you need them and come back for more college and life advice!