Shadow a Terp
Inspired by the Stanford d.school's Shadow a Student Challenge, Shadow a Terp invites you to spend time (a few hours or even an entire day!) with a fellow Terp to better understand their lived experience. In other words, put yourself in their shoes 👟
This self-guided tool helps you decide who you would like to shadow, what you hope to learn, and how to make it happen logistically. Then, bring your curiosity and noticing skills to dig deeper into one person’s day and see their world through fresh eyes.
Shadow a Terp is ideal when you want to deeply understand a single perspective. If you’re looking to gather insights from many people quickly, check out Talk to a Terp!
Spend time with a student
Identify a student you would like to learn more about and follow them through their day; 8 a.m. classes, study sessions, commutes, and everything in between. This experience can build empathy and reveal insights you may not have previously considered.
Develop a deeper understanding of a fellow Terp’s experience
Tag along with a colleague, faculty member, or administrator to experience a day in their life. Be curious and take note of what you see, hear, and learn as they navigate their work and responsibilities.
Build a better business
Gain a clearer picture of a day in the life of one of your stakeholders, such as a customer or decision-maker, by spending time shadowing them. Observe how they move through their day, what decisions they make, and where challenges arise. Use those insights to shape your business in more human-centered ways.
Steps to Get You Started! 🚀
Follow the steps below or download the guide—both include the same content, so choose the format that works best for you.
To get started, think about who you want to shadow and why. Choose someone whose perspective would meaningfully inform your work; this could be a student, staff member, or faculty member.
Your goal is to notice how they move through their day: what challenges they face, what decisions they make, and what matters most to them.
So… whose shoes do you want to step into? 👟
Reach out to the person you’d like to shadow and ask if they’re open to it. Work together to pick a day that reflects their typical routine and gives you a meaningful look at their day-to-day experience.
Tips for Scheduling:
- Plan for a full day, if possible. Ask what you’ll need to fully participate: gym clothes, books, meals, or other materials.
- Confirm the meet-up time and location in advance.
- Manage your calendar. Let anyone impacted by your plans know you’ll be unavailable that day.
- Communicate your role. Shadowing may involve attending classes or meetings with others present. Use these optional templates to give people a heads-up: go.umd.edu/shadow-headsup. It’s also helpful to have a quick explanation ready for instructors, staff, or meeting leaders your Terp interacts with. You can print and complete these explainer sheets ahead of time.
On shadowing day, grab your gear and go! 🎒
Be sure to bring:
- A way to capture observations, notes, insights, and questions (a notebook, digital device, or structured template all work well)
- Anything you’ll need to fully participate in the day (lunch, gym clothes, materials, etc.)
Meet up at the agreed-upon time and place and approach the day with curiosity. Do what your Terp does, with an open mind. Observe what you see, hear, and sense without judgment.
After your shadowing experience, take time to pause and reflect on what you noticed and how it might inform your work.
- What did you observe that shifted your perspective?
- How might this experience influence what you do next?
- Who could benefit from these insights?
For additional prompts, explore our Reflection Tools to dig deeper and uncover meaning from what you observed.