If it hasn't been changed legally, obviously. I've heard people do it, but I'm unsure how.

Maybe I should just ask my teachers to let me use my name, and forget the documents. But, would I be able to use my preferred name on reports and tests then?

Depends on the school, really. I suggest that you talk to someone in admin.

I get a lot of students who ask me to call them something quite different from their legal first name. I always do. But their ID (and eventual diploma) shows only the legal name. I don't know if my school has a provision for changing a name, or adding an alias, where there is no legal documentation. I've heard that some schools will record a preferred first name but not a complete change unless there is documentation. But the best people to ask is your school.

Obviously, there's no substitute for a legal name change. Do you want to change your name legally, and are you in a position to do so?

I just called up my schools (HS and Univ). THey require different things sometimes but most likely they'll just want your name change court document or a copy of your new ID and/or SSN

My school refuses to do it unless I have my name legally changed so until I do I can't. You can talk to your professors about calling you that name but mine don't so hopefully yours will.

Several schools I've gone to will ask for your preferred name. I've had friends who were universally called 'PK' by teachers, or 'Tom' or really anything they put down. Wound up on their class schedules and all unofficially official documents. So it REALLY varies from school to school.

Yeah, but the only thing of real value about going to the Uni, is what it says on the paper they give you on the day you get free.

I just showed reception a them a copy of my deed poll. name changes are quite easy here in the uk.

for £40 I got this document and it has a little number on the bottom "if anyone argues with you about this begin your name phone us and we will kick ass and chew bubble gum."

Graduation is less than four months away for me, and I don't think my transphobic school would be really happy to change my name on the diploma post-graduation. I almost feel like getting it legally changed prior to graduating just to spite them! 

Depends...

I went in and talked to my uni admin.

They change my legal name and gender on all records including transcripts despite the fact that my actual legal name change has not gone through yet?

Why?

I'm the 3rd student who has requested this, they will do it A) because it's hard to accomplish RLE without it (profs won't use preferred names even if they are on the list - so continuously outing you), and b - because being outed is potentially dangerous.

If there is any way to have your named legally changed before graduation do it, that way your diploma, your transcripts and all the web-type/newspaper stuff (graduation lists are routinely published) will all check out when people check you out later for a job.  And they will.

I phoned my university and had to fill out paperwork and proof of my name change. After that they changed all my records and the name on my diploma. I had to buy a new diploma and now I have one hanging with my new name.

Overall it was a very easy process and I graduated over 12 years ago. It might be easy if you do it while still at uni but you will need a legal name change to put it on your official records.

As for my high school records I haven't changed those because I graduated over 17 years ago in a different state so I doubt potential employees would even care or bother to check it out. Most employers are more interested in your college degree, not your high school graduation.