KATHMANDU: Many times we struggle with the subjects that we find difficult on our own. Many times we feel we can do it on our own, while many times we feel shy or awkward to approach someone or the right person for help. However, it is important that we get help so that we are able to tackle the problems with the right tools. So, the next time you find yourself struggling with something, go get help...

When?

Get help as soon as you need it. Don’t wait until a test is near. The new material builds on

the previous sections, so anything you don’t understand now will make future material difficult to understand.

Use resources available

Ask questions in class. You get help and stay actively involved in the class.

Visit the Teachers Room if necessary. Teachers will surely be ready to help students who want to learn.

Ask friends, members of your study group, or anyone else who can help. The classmate who explains something to you learns just as much as you do, for s/he must think carefully about how to explain the particular concept or solution in a clear way. So don’t be reluctant to ask a classmate.

If you have tutoring sessions in school, then do join in.

Find a private tutor if you can’t get enough help from other sources.

All students need help at some point, so be sure to get the help you need.

Ask questions

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Any question is better than no question at all (at least your teacher/tutor will know you are confused). But a good question will allow your helper to quickly identify exactly what you don’t understand.

Don’t make statements like, “I don’t understand this section.” The best you can expect in reply to such a remark is a brief review of the section, and this will likely overlook the particular thing(s) which you don’t understand.

Instead of that you can ask, “I don’t understand why f(x + h) doesn’t equal f(x) + f(h).” Be specific that will get a very specific response and hopefully clear up your difficulty.

Right after you get help with a problem, work another similar problem by yourself.

It’s in your hands

Helpers should be coaches, not crutches. They should encourage you, give you hints as you need them, and sometimes show you how to do problems. But they should not, nor be expected to, actually do the work you need to do. They are there to help you figure out how to learn for yourself.

When you go to your study group or a tutor, have a specific list of questions prepared in advance. You should run the session as much as possible.

Do not allow yourself to become dependent on a tutor.

The tutor cannot take the exams for you. You must take care to be the one in control of tutoring sessions.

You must recognise that sometimes you do need some coaching to help you through, and it is up to you to seek out that coaching.