Hello again Bloggers,

Do you ever struggle in parts of your life without ever asking for any help? The reason I'm wondering is because asking for help has always been one of the hardest things for me to do. I'm not sure if it is because being in foster care has contributed to my underlying need to be strong and independent, if it's just because I feel better when I'm the one being asked for help, or if it’s a mixture of both. But no matter what the reason is, I've learned that asking for help does not make me less independent, less strong, or less intelligent, but it actually enhances these characteristics. So, here are a few tips to make asking for help a littler easier:

The first place I look for help is from the people I am most comfortable with; I ask my friends or peers if they understand my problem and if they have any suggestions on how I might come to a solution. Most likely they are struggling with the same things that I am and the only way I figure that out is by letting them know I am struggling. Knowing that I am not alone and that others know how I am feeling makes it easier for me to ask for help and it also inspires others to ask me for help in the future too.

But when my friends and my peers are struggling just as much as I am, the next place I look for help is from my professors or TAs  because no one knows the material better than they do.  Keep in mind, professors and TAs have so many students that they work with and therefore will never know who is having a hard time with the material without their students letting them know. It is absolutely our responsibility as students to ask for help when we need it. Believe it or not, asking for help from our professors and TAs is also very beneficial to them because it lets them know which information they may want to re-teach in class to make sure everyone understands the concepts. It helps them do their job better and it helps us succeed in our classes, so it is a win-win situation for both.

When my friends, peers, professors and TA's just are not enough, I absolutely take advantage of campus resources that are there specifically for people who want help. In this case, it doesn't matter what I need help with. I might be struggling with writing a paper, finding sources for research, finding a job, getting involved in activities, fixing my computer, or balancing academics with socializing. No matter what it is, there is always someone somewhere who genuinely wants to help and has devoted their life to a career that lets them do just that. So help those people by letting them help you.

Remember: You don't have to struggle if you really don't want to. All you have to do is verbalize your challenge areas because people are not mind readers. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of strength and intelligence. Whether you ask your peers/teachers for help, or you use resources at school, the important part is that you're learning that asking for help can contribute to your successes and inspire others to do the same.

Until next time,
Kendra