How to Ask Your Teacher For Help

Whether you need help with classwork or something more personal, asking a teacher for help can be a bit daunting at first. When do you ask them? What do you say? Simply follow these simple steps and you'll be solving your problems in no time!

1. Understand what your problem is.
   This might seem like an obvious one, but the clearer your question is, the easier it will be for your teacher to help you. Work out whether your problem is personal or academic. What are the key pieces of information? How does this problem make you feel? What sort of help do you want from your teacher?

2. Decide when and where to ask your teacher.
   If your question is quite short and related to something you're doing in class, the best time to ask them might be during your lesson. However, lessons can be very hectic, and your teacher might not have a huge amount of time to dedicate to you. If the problem is more complex or a bit personal, it might be better to arrange a time to see them outside of class when they can give you their full attention.

3. Work out how you're going to ask them.
   For an academic issue, it might be easiest to briefly explain the problem to them and ask if they could help you with it. However, if you don't feel comfortable asking them in person (perhaps if you're worried you might be overheard), there are lots of other ways you can ask for help. Why not write down your issue in a letter and hand it to them after class, or maybe send them an email? Whatever you decide, make sure that you ask the teacher as clearly as possible so that they understand what they need to help you with.

4. Be confident!
   Asking a teacher for help can be quite daunting at times, but it's the best thing you can do! The sooner you ask for help, the sooner your problem can be solved. If you leave a problem undealt with, it can get worse over time and may affect both your grades and your mental wellbeing. Your teacher will be happy that you came to them for advice, as it's their job to make sure that you get the most out of school as possible.

Many people don't ask for help because they feel like no one wants to help them, or they just don't know how to. Asking for help is a vital life skill that will help you long after you finish education. No one deserves to go through things on their own, and there are so many people out there who are willing to help if only you are brave enough to ask.