Ask for Help
My first semester freshman year I decided to retake a course I already had AP credit for. I really thought it was going to be a no-brainer — heck I got a 5 on the AP! What I neglected to realize was that no matter how well I knew the material, getting used to the college setting of taking a course was going to be difficult. I wasn’t in a small classroom with teachers who knew my name and reputation. I didn’t have my friends to do homework with every day in study hall. I was in a lecture hall of around 300 people, some freshman, some sophomores, and I could barely understand my professor. Despite all of that, I went to class every day, took very diligent notes, and completed the homework days in advance. I even read the textbook BEFORE lecture. I was extremely diligent and truly felt like I had the material mastered. The first exam came around, and just like in high school, I studied very little. Maybe an hour, hour and a half tops. Well, my exam grade reflected that. I got a D on the first college exam I ever took. Three entire letter grades lower than any grade I had ever gotten in high school. I immediately called my mom in tears, asking for her to pull me out of school, into a different major, anything to escape this failure. She responded with some of the greatest advice I have ever gotten. She told me to ask for help. See if there was a tutor or a TA I could talk to and see what I was missing. I was embarrassed. I didn’t want to be the kid that needed extra help, that needed special attention. She encouraged me by telling me that I may need to swallow my pride, but it is never embarrassing to ask for help. It shows strength and courage. In my experience at Purdue and in the work force, my mom’s advice holds true. You should never be afraid to ask for help. Those that ask for help often end up growing their knowledge more than those that don’t, and will even do better in class. In the work force, my manager last summer was always impressed that I would give my full effort towards something, but that once I got stuck I would ask for help. It showed a willingness to learn and understanding that I may not have all of the answers. So back to my physics course. I ended up going to my professors office hours and asking for help. I went religiously when I was struggling and asked a ton of questions. I ended up turning my grade around and getting an A in the class even though I got a D on the first exam. On top of that, my professor asked me to be a TA for the course the following semester because of the way I was able to grow my knowledge for the course. Asking for help got me an A in the class and even a job the next semester. My advice to the world is that no matter what you do, don’t be afraid to ask for a little help here and there. Whether it be a problem for school, an issue at work, or something you’re struggling with emotionally. Someone can help you through whatever is going on — it will save you hours of tears, anger, and frustration.