essay

15. If you begin to struggle in class, will you take that first step and ask for help, or will you wait until you are told you are failing the course?

I have taken many courses in the past but was fortunate enough to have understood most of the material being covered. However, in rare cases an instructor's different teaching method and my own unique learning style collided, leaving me to voice my concerns and ask questions. While the act of asking for help is viewed by many students as a weakness, I accept it as a crucial part of the learning process which requires the use of our social skills. Most people believe that relying upon others to solve problems casts them a negative reflection, and their competence as adults. The decision that follows can then result in students who accept the over-whelming challenge, wade deeper into the mire and are led astray without the information needed to successfully complete the work. Personally as a student I feel it is vital to uphold a sense of academic independence, while being mindful of those moments where the lines of experience can divide both teacher and student since students can't always be expected to absorb the given material flawlessly and without difficulty.

The advantage of high schools who track the grades of students enable them to have a buffer, or period of time to react accordingly to certain variables that could otherwise cause them to exhibit poor academic performance. I already know that it is important for me keep track of my own grades in order to gain the additional focus needed to motivate my efforts. In other words having the best possible grade in the class allows a student to be more aware of the weighed consequence their assignments hold, and enables them to maintain a certain set of measurable standards. This being said I would gladly take the first step and receive the help that I need early on, rather than flailing around and wasting precious time that could be used better in other areas. Instructors at the college level have a tempered mindset that view students as responsible individuals who should not be coddled. I can understand how this type of mental preparation is appropriate at this particular stage of human development, but at the same time denounce the practice when there are so many outside factors that can influence a student's handle on their grade. In one such example I made the decision to withdrawal from a math class because I was going through a heavy bereavement process brought on by the sudden loss of my grandfather. In the end I reviewed my options understanding how the class was the necessary element in obtaining my associates degree, but acknowledged the fact I was emotionally compromised which made it impossible to regain my academic focus.

In my eyes there is no shame in asking for help since even the smartest of people have questions to ask or require assistance at some point in life. Sometimes as flawed individuals we may have to bow down to different emotional states but recognize that we are also given the tools to overcome those obstacles. It is important to realize that we are not a generation of machines and at times we can not anticipate unforeseen circumstances, nor fully prepare our hearts for the impact of them.