Do you find it difficult to ask teachers for help? Do you sit in silence or confusion when raising a hand or sending an email to your teacher could bring help?
If you find if difficult to ask for help, you're not alone. Many students find it difficult to ask for help and there may be a variety of reasons why, but the good news is there are strategies to help you.
It's important to learn these strategies so you can seek help when you need it. Sometimes, not asking for help can have an impact your academic performance and self-confidence.
First steps
The most important first step is to recognise that you need help. Then you need to feel confident and know that you'll be supported once you ask for help.
It's important to know that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it's quite the opposite. If you recognise you need to ask for help, it's often a sign of maturity and strength.
Remember, everyone at some point throughout their lives will need to ask for help and support, there is very little we do to succeed fully on our own.
Conversation starters for asking for help at school
Once you're honest with yourself and recognise you need help, how do you then ask for it? There are various ways you can start a conversation such as:
I'm finding it hard with __________ Can I make a time to talk to you about this?
I'm working hard, but I am still not understanding __________ Can you explain this to me?
I'm finding it difficult to know about how to __________ Can you give me some advice?
Source: Courtesy of the author, Jennifer Sullivan, and Edutopia
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. I do that every day. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength. It shows you have the courage to admit when you don’t know something, and to learn something new.
Part of our job as human beings is to share our knowledge and share the things we've learned. So we can either save people from making the same mistakes, or give them hope.