College can become overwhelming quickly. One difficult assignment can turn into several missed deadlines, a confusing class can become stressful, and before you know it, you may feel like you are too far behind to catch up. The good news is that you do not have to figure everything out on your own. Asking for academic help early can give you the support you need before a small challenge becomes a bigger problem.
Not Sure Who to Ask? Start Here.
One of the hardest parts of asking for help is knowing who to contact. At Lemoore
College, different departments are available to help with different types of questions.
If you are not sure where to begin, Counseling & Advising is a good place to start. Counselors can help with educational planning, course selection, degree and certificate requirements, registration, and connecting students with other campus resources.
If your question is about understanding course material, completing an assignment, studying, or improving your academic skills, the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) provides tutoring and academic support both on campus and online.
Know the Signs That It Is Time to Ask for Help
You do not have to wait until you are failing a class to ask for support. Consider
reaching out if you:
- Keep rereading material but still do not understand it
- Are falling behind on assignments
- Are unsure about what an assignment is asking you to do
- Have difficulty keeping up with deadlines
- Feel anxious or overwhelmed about a class
- Are spending hours studying without making progress
- Have missed an assignment or deadline and do not know what to do next
- Are worried that one difficult class could affect your academic goals
Asking for help is not a sign that you are incapable of succeeding. It is one way to take responsibility for your education and identify what you need to move forward.
Start With One Simple Question
If you do not know what to say when you contact someone, keep it simple. You can start
with:
“I am having trouble keeping up in my class, and I am not sure what kind of help I need. Who should I talk to?”
You do not need to have the problem completely explained before asking for help. Staff, counselors, instructors, and academic support professionals can help you determine what your next step should be.
Talk to Your Instructor
Your instructor should also be one of your first points of contact when you are struggling
with course material or an assignment. Reach out as soon as you realize you are having
difficulty instead of waiting until the end of the semester.
When contacting your instructor, be specific about what you need. For example, explain which assignment or concept is confusing, what you have already tried, and what questions you have.
A simple message could be:
“I am having difficulty understanding this assignment and want to make sure I am approaching it correctly. Could you please help me understand what I should focus on?”
Use Tutoring and Academic Support
If you need help understanding class material, the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) offers tutoring and other academic support. Students can receive help with assignments,
reading comprehension, writing, math, and other academic needs. ACE also provides
a quiet place to work and offers support both online and in person.
Lemoore College currently requires students to enroll in the no-cost, non-credit NC 100 course to access ACE academic support services. The NC 100 Canvas shell provides access to online services and current academic-support schedules.
Get Help Before the Problem Gets Bigger
It can be tempting to tell yourself that you will catch up later. Sometimes, however,
waiting can make an academic problem more difficult to manage.
Instead, try taking one small step:
- Identify the class or assignment causing the most difficulty.
- Write down what you do not understand.
- Contact your instructor, counselor, or academic support service.
- Make a plan for your next assignment or deadline.
- Follow up if you still need help.
You do not have to solve everything in one day. The goal is to take the next step.
You Do Not Have to Know All the Answers
Feeling overwhelmed does not mean you have failed. College comes with challenges,
and knowing when to ask for help is an important part of staying on track.
If you are not sure who to ask, start with Lemoore College Counseling & Advising or the Academic Center for Excellence. You can also explore the college’s Student Resources to find other departments and services.
The most important thing is not waiting until you feel completely overwhelmed. Ask the question, connect with someone, and take one step forward.