Speak Up!
Your classmates keeps interrupting you while you are talking during group work.
“I’m still talking and would like to finish my idea. Can I finish first? What do you think? Thanks.”
Someone accidentally bumps into you in line and does not apologize.
“Hey, you bumped into me. Please be careful next time. Are we okay? Thanks.”
You want to sit somewhere quieter during lunch because it is too loud.
“It’s a little loud for me over here. Would you mind sitting somewhere quieter with me? What do you think? Thanks.”
A peer cuts in front of you while you are waiting for supplies.
“I was waiting in line already. Can I go next please? Thanks.”
“Move. You’re in my spot.”
How could you make this more respectful?
“Excuse me, I usually sit there. Would you mind moving please? Thanks.”
A peer borrowed your headphones without asking.
“I felt uncomfortable when my headphones were taken without asking. Next time, can you ask first? Is that okay? Thanks.”
A peer tells you your idea is “weird” during an activity.
“That comment hurt my feelings a little. I’d still like to share my idea. What do you think about it? Thanks.”
Your partner is doing all the talking during a presentation.
“I’d like a chance to share my part too. Can we both take turns speaking? Thanks.”
Someone keeps sending you messages during class when you are trying to focus.
“I’m trying to pay attention right now. Can we text later instead? Thanks.”
“Stop talking to me.”
How could you self-advocate more appropriately?
“I need a short break from talking right now. Can we talk later instead? Thanks.”
Your classmate keeps making jokes about your favorite music even after you asked them to stop.
“I know you’re joking, but it’s starting to bother me. Can we talk about something else? What do you think? Thanks.”
A classmate blames you for something you did not do.
“I understand you’re upset, but I didn’t do that. Can we figure out what happened together? Thanks.”
Two peers are choosing an activity without asking what you want to do.
“I’d like to share my idea too. Can I help choose the activity? What do you both think? Thanks.”
A peer becomes upset because you said you needed space.
“I wasn’t trying to be rude. I just needed a little space to calm down. Can we talk later? Thanks.”
“Whatever. I don’t care anymore.”
How could you end the conversation politely instead?
“I’m feeling frustrated right now. Can we try to solve this another way? Thanks.”
A peer keeps standing too close to you even after you move away.
“I need a little more personal space. Can you take a small step back please? Is that okay? Thank you.”
A peer rolls their eyes and laughs while you are speaking.
“I noticed you laughed while I was talking, and it made me uncomfortable. Can we speak respectfully? What do you think? Thanks.”
A group member refuses to complete their part of the assignment.
“We all have different parts to finish, and we need everyone’s help. Can we make a plan together? Thanks.”
A classmate keeps changing the topic when you are trying to explain something important.
“I’d like to finish explaining my idea first. Then I can listen to your thoughts too. Is that okay? Thanks.”
“You always ruin everything.”
How could you express frustration using calm, plain language?
“I felt upset about what happened. Can we talk about how to make it better next time? Thanks.”
A classmate tells others that you are “lazy” because you asked for help during an assignment.
“I asked for help because I wanted to understand the assignment better. I didn’t like being called lazy. Can we speak respectfully to each other? What do you think? Thanks.”
Another student becomes angry and raises their voice at you during a disagreement.
“I want to talk about this, but it’s hard when voices get loud. Can we speak calmly so we can solve the problem? Thanks.”
You and a peer both want to use the same equipment during work training.
“I need to use the equipment too. Maybe we can take turns or make a schedule. What works for you? Thanks.”
A peer shares personal information about you with others without asking permission.
“I felt uncomfortable when my personal information was shared. Please ask me before talking about private things. Can we agree on that? Thanks.”
“Fine. Do whatever you want. I’m done.”
How could you solve the conflict while still advocating for yourself respectfully?
“I still want to solve the problem, but I’d like us both to listen to each other first. What do you think? Thanks.”