How to Ask for Help: Tips for High School Students
Are you a student who wants help but doesn't know how to ask for it? Don’t worry. There are many students just like you. We know exactly how you feel. Luckily, you can overcome your hesitance and learn to ask for help confidently. In this blog, we'll explain why it’s important to ask for help and look at examples of how to ask for help.
Why Is it Hard to Ask for Help in School?
When students acknowledge that they’re struggling, they may feel shame or embarrassment. You may fear that asking for help signals weakness or failure in your character. When everyone around you seems like they're doing well, it’s hard not to feel bad about yourself. You may feel tempted to compare yourself to your peers.
However, this can lead your self-confidence to go down because you feel like an outcast. But you're not the only one feeling this way. Although your peers may look like they don't need help, outward appearances can be deceptive. Just like you, they may need to ask for help but are unsure of how to get it.
Why Is it Important to Ask for Help in School?
UPchieve believes that if you become better at asking for help, you will receive more help. When you ask for help, you send a message to your teacher (or whoever you ask for help) that you're committed to learning and dedicated to understanding class content.
Asking for help is a sign of strength because it shows others that you are willing to be vulnerable. Asking for help doesn't just help you. It also allows your fellow classmates to gain the courage to ask for help when they need it. Asking for help can even improve your mental health.
When you ask for help, you relieve the stress and frustration that you get from a problem you’re stuck on.
How to Ask a Teacher for Help
The first step is to figure out what you need help with. Do you need help understanding a concept, or do you have a specific question about a math problem? Teachers are there to help students understand the materials.
For example, if you need help with an essay, figure out which part of it you need guidance on. Do you need help supporting your thesis? Do you need help connecting your evidence to your reasoning? The more specific you are, the more your teacher will be able to help you. If your teacher is not busy, you can go up to them and ask for help.
If your teacher is busy, you can email your teacher (see below for an example). If you have asked your teacher for help, but you still don't understand something, you can always sign up for a tutoring session with UPchieve.
Example Email:
Dear (teachers name),
This is (your name), I am contacting you to request some help on my assignment. I am currently struggling with (insert details). Any information or guidance would be much appreciated. Can I schedule a meeting with you?
Thank you,
(your name)
Final Thoughts on How to Ask for Help
Do you still need help with an assignment? UPchieve allows you to get free tutoring from certified academic coaches. UPchieve can provide you with free, online tutoring and college counseling. On UPchieve, you can request help and get matched with a live, volunteer coach in just a few minutes. Sign up for UPchieve today!
We hope you feel ready to ask your teacher for help. They're more than happy to help you. You got this!!!