Conflict is a part of life, but talking to someone you’re having issues with can feel intimidating – especially if it’s your first time doing this. You might be wondering what to say or how to approach the situation, which is why we’re here to help.
You could start by sending an email, or ask to organise a phone call or meeting. Before you reach out, it’s a good idea to prepare by:
- making a list that describes the situation in dot points
- considering what solution you are seeking – and what’s reasonable
- checking if there are any policies or procedures you should be aware of
- seeking support from a Student Advocate.
Helpful resources
Whether it’s in the workplace, your relationships or your university life, the Employability team offer many resources to help you navigate conflict. These include:
- Career Ready Ambassadors who are available via a drop-in service across the semester (check when on the Career Hub). They might refer you to Australian Fair Work resources or a one-on-one appointment with a Specialist Career Consultant.
- On-demand resources on Career Ready OnLine – you can search the site to find specific information regarding conflict resolution.
- On-demand Career Ready Webinars with information on workplace rights and responsibilities.
Support options at La Trobe
You might also want to look at what student support options are available to you. They can provide you with advice on how to approach resolving your issue and what options are available to you. Some of these services include:
- Academic Coordinators
- AccessAbility
- ASK La Trobe
- Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion
- Indigenous Student Services
- Safer Community
- Special Consideration
- Student Advising
Student Advocates can also be a big help. Advocacy is free, independent from La Trobe and available to students at all campuses.
Build your life skills
While undertaking conflict resolution may be challenging and uncomfortable, it’s an important skill to develop and build. Practising resolving conflict at uni will end up being very helpful in your working life.
If you haven’t been able to resolve an issue at uni yourself, you can submit a formal complaint to the University. For more information check out our article on raising concerns with the University.