Asking for Help
Ask for help when you need it or want it: Support from faculty and staff are available to you if you ask. Very few students can make it through college without seeking assistance at some point, yet many avoid asking for the support they deserve. Following are some tips on how to prepare to meet with your professor.
Research
- Review your syllabus or online resources to learn about preferred methods of communication, office hours or scheduling processes.
Schedule
- Ask: If you cannot locate a specific process, approach the professor, faculty or staff directly. Briefly describe what you need help with, and ask how to schedule a meeting time.
- Email: Send an email (like the one below) to schedule a meeting.
- Schedule: Send a formal meeting request, or use online scheduling tools (if available).
Plan
- Prepare a list of questions.
- Gather relevant textbooks, notes and note-taking supplies.
- Practice:Role-play your meeting with a friend.
Meet
- Be on time.
- Ask prepared questions.
- Be an active and empathetic listener.
- Take notes.
- Thank them for their time.
- Follow-up with a thank you email.