By Tori Loudenbeck/reporter

NW coordinators urged students to be their own cheerleaders during a presentation Feb. 3.

Academic support services coordinator Demisia Razo and supplemental instruction coordinator Ryan Ferguson discussed communication skills, goal achievement and tips on being successful in any class.

“You have to put yourself into spaces where opportunities happen,” Razo said.

Many of their points extended out of the classroom and could be used in real-life situations. Time management, organization and the ability to ask questions are some key factors students often struggle with, the speakers said.

“Always say yes to activities,” Ferguson said.

Whether that be clubs, jobs, internships or volunteer work, students never know who they could meet. They have to put themselves in places open to possibilities, the pair said.

Some more tips they listed for successful self-advocacy are to plan ahead, be a good listener and always believe in oneself. If students have a negative outlook on the world, they should try to train their thoughts to be more positive, the coordinators said.

“Stop and reflect to see if you are going in the right direction with your goals,” Ferguson said.

The speakers said students should think about their futures five or even 10 years from now, asking themselves where they would like to be. Everyone reaches main goals in life by accomplishing small goals along the way, they said.

“This is exactly how goals get achieved,” Razo said.