An overwhelmed high school student, a college student confused about an assignment, or an intern or young professional that needs an extension on a big project—there are hundreds of instances that you’ll be faced with throughout your student and professional life that may require you to ask for help.
Asking for help is not easy. Mustering up the courage to ask is half of the battle. When you boil it down, we’re all alike; know that most of us have asked for help before. But how do you properly ask for help and get it?
There are two methods to ask for help, and one is probably the best. You can ask for help in person, or via email. Below is the scoop on each method:
- The In-Person Ask for Help This is the best way to ask for help. The reason is it’s extremely personable. It also boosts your odds of a positive response from the person you’re asking for help.
- The Email or Phone Ask In some situations you may need to ask this way. Be careful when you’re asking for help in an email or over the phone. Without the in-person element, there’s less room for understanding and non-verbal connection.
- Be confident. It takes courage to admit you need help. Be confident in your ask. If you sound unsure, the person you’re asking for may wonder about your intent. Briefly explain the circumstances of your ask and quickly make the ask. A long explanation may not sound as sure as you intended. Know who to ask. If you ask the wrong person, you may not get the response wanted. If you’re a student or intern that needs more clarification or a project extension, you’ll need to ask the course instructor or your internship mentor.
- Carefully craft your ask. There are several clever ways to ask for help in a professional or responsible manner. Reformat your ask to sound considerate, by using words and phrases, such as “collaborate,” “recommended, or “would this timeline work for you?” Grammarly provides eight unique ways of asking for help in a recent blog post.
- Don’t ask for last-minute help. Of course, there are times when a last-minute plea for help can't be avoided. However, if you give the person you've asked plenty of time to help, you’ll likely get a more positive response. Teachers, professors, counselors, mentors, and managers don’t typically go out of their way to help procrastinators.
- Be polite. Have you ever heard of the saying, “You attract more flies with honey than vinegar?” Meaning, being kind or sweet will get you more attention or help than a rude attitude will. Mom (and Benjamin Franklin-- he’s credited for inventing this phrase) were right; say please and thank you when you ask for help. Don’t forget to use email etiquette. There are 10 professional email tips you can use to craft your ask. Smile (if asking in-person) and let the person you’re asking for assistance know you’re grateful to have them on your side. Once your ask has been answered, consider writing and sending a thank you email or note. This extra effort will not go unnoticed.
How to Ask for Help
Whether you’re wondering how to politely ask for help in an email or how to incorporate self-care by asking for help in person, there are some tactics you can use to get what you need. Here are some steps you can take and resources you can use when asking for help.Asking for Help Is a Form of Self-Care
We all need help from time to time, and knowing when to reach out is a self-care skill you shouldn’t disregard. It takes courage to realize you may need extra support. Don’t be afraid; it’s not a sign of weakness to ask for help! You may feel overwhelmed with schoolwork or professional assignments and this can also take a toll on your mental health. We operate better when we feel good, and we’re not stressed. If you’re a student or young professional that needs a mental health break know that many colleges and universities, as well as high schools, offer counseling services. From time management to relaxation techniques, some of these counseling services are offered free to students! All you have to do is...ask.You Might Also Like
Shawna Newman
Managing Editor, Contributing Writer
Shawna Newman is the Managing Editor and a writer at Fastweb. She has over 10 years of experience in higher education. Her direct work with college admissions teams, financial aid officers, college deans, ...
