Should I Ask?

I can’t pinpoint the exact day this happened, but it was a particularly challenging moment during my English class. I had been feeling really overwhelmed, not just from that day, but also from the lingering stress of the previous week. I had recently been sick, which meant I had missed several classes and was already feeling behind in my assignments.

As my teacher spoke about the upcoming schoolwork, my anxiety bubbled up. The sheer volume of tasks she outlined felt like too much given my current situation. I glanced at my notes and felt a sense of dread—there were still assignments I hadn’t completed that were piling up from earlier lessons, and now additional work was expected.

Instead of speaking up, I kept quiet, trapped by my fear of appearing ignorant. I convinced myself that I should already know what to do, and the thought of asking for clarification seemed daunting. As days turned into weeks, I found myself struggling in silence, unable to muster the courage to reach out for help. Each day in class felt like I was wearing a mask, pretending to understand while my mind raced with confusion. I ended up going weeks without completing any work, trapped in my confusion.

Eventually, after several weeks of procrastination and increasing frustration, I decided to confide in some classmates. They reassured me that seeking help was completely normal and encouraged me to reach out to my teacher. Mustering all my courage, I composed an email explaining my struggle and asking for guidance.

When I received her response, a wave of relief washed over me. She was understanding and willing to help, providing clarity on the assignments and offering support. I realized it wasn’t my fault for not knowing; all I needed to do was ask. This experience taught me the importance of communication and that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. I learned that seeking help is essential and that it’s okay to ask for assistance when overwhelmed.

“books” by areta ekarafi is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.