I always like to write an article like this around this point in the semester as almost everything has picked up, and—for me at least—stress levels are high and the motivation to fight burnout is low. So, when the overwhelming feelings of stress get to you, remember that it is absolutely okay to ask for help.
In the past (embarrassingly, in the pretty recent past), I have viewed asking for help as a weakness. I didn’t like the idea of admitting that I wasn’t able to do something on my own, so not asking for help seemed to be the easier solution. When I say asking for help, I don’t just mean with academic material; asking for help in any aspect of your life can immensely improve your situation. Scientifically speaking, most natural processes require a certain energy input, so if in order to reach a goal you need a little boost of help to get started, that is absolutely reasonable and, in nature, expected.
As far as school work goes, attending a professor’s office hours or voicing your questions in class can be extremely beneficial, but that doesn’t always work for everyone. Sometimes you can find yourself in a place where you don’t even know what questions to ask to get the help you need. I’ve definitely been there and know how helpless you can feel in such a situation. That moment when you feel weak is where you can make one of the strongest decisions: asking for help. Whether it be making a point to reach out to others in your class to collaborate on work or getting a tutor, asking for help when you feel helpless is one of the strongest things you can do.
As far as available academic resources for when you need help, going to office hours for your professor and TAs is a great start. Not sure what to ask or even where to start? Maybe ask about a homework or test question you got wrong and how to approach something like it in the future. Beyond this, the Academic Support Center has tutors for most classes with students who’ve been in the same shoes as you and will know how to help. Outside of campus, there are so many free online resources available to students. I often get so caught up in all of my work that I forget that I can find an instructional youtube video on whatever topic I am struggling on.
As well as academic resources, there are also many accessible mental health resources both on and off campus. CAPS is a great place to start, being free and on campus and having many outside resources and referrals. Asking for help can sometimes feel less scary if you are asking someone who does not know you personally and can offer a great deal of objective advice and support. Doing this also allows you to kind of take a step back while you explain your situation to someone who is not already aware of it.
Especially given the recent movement to break down all stigmas about mental health, it is important to be a part of the conversation, be aware of the resources available to you, and speak up if you are in need of help. Chances are high that the people you surround yourself with will do everything they can to help you and see that you’re getting the support that you need.
In all aspects of your life, make sure to check in on those around you, because chances are that if you are afraid to ask for help, others are too, so creating an environment of love, acceptance, and support is the best way to promote the growth of yourself and others around you.
