Not every class you take is going to be an easy A. In fact, for many of us, we have never had an “easy A” in our lives.
There is nothing wrong with seeking out help for a class you are struggling in. After all, the alternative would be failing the course and having to take it again at a later date. That is definitely something you should want to avoid!
If you are on the fence or not sure whether you really do need help, here are four signs that show you should be asking for homework help sooner rather than later
Dreading Class
Most people tend to avoid or feel anxious about things they are not good at. If you have a class in your schedule that you worry about all day long and hate sitting through, you may need to take a closer look at why you feel this way. For many, that hatred of a class or subject is a sign that you don’t understand what is being taught and are afraid to fail, but not sure where to turn.
By finding support for the subject, you can stave off that fear and dread. Instead, you would know that you have a resource to turn to as you struggle to learn new concepts or revisit prior topics you failed to master. What’s more, if you can cultivate a love (or at least an interest) for the topic, then you won’t have as much anxiety about going to class.
Falling Grades
For some, there can be one class that poses more of a struggle to learn in than others. This can be seen most clearly in your grades. For example, if you receive high grades in most of your classes except one, the time is now to seek help for that course.
Many high achievers find it difficult to reach out for help when they begin to struggle. Thankfully, with the right assistance, you can start earning better grades on homework. For some, all this takes is feedback on topical questions and performance as you go through assignments to reinforce concepts and this will eventually translate over to improved scores on exams as well.
For example, math is viewed by many as their toughest course whether geometry, algebra, or calculus. With the right homework help, you can solve equations, find linear pairs, or do advanced work like determining the derivative of arctan. A little bit of guidance and math help can go a long way to raising your performance and your grades overall.
Prolonging Assignments
Teachers usually assign homework that can be completed in a reasonable amount of time. But if you find yourself hunched over your homework for hours and not getting the results you are searching for, then you will want to take a closer look at why and start to address it. Otherwise, you could start to struggle with other courses as one takes time away from studying in another.
Pay attention to how long certain assignments are taking and look for a pattern. Is it a particular subject or a single topic within a class that you just don’t seem to understand? Asking for homework help can seriously decrease the amount of time you spend in front of your school books each night by providing targeted feedback in real-time.
Considering Dropping Out of a Course
If you are struggling so much that you are considering dropping out of a course, pause to look at why before making that decision. After all, dropping out can still affect your grades in some cases as well as your enrollment status or the time it takes for you to complete a degree.
For many students, dropping out seems like an easy way out because they are not able to keep up with their assignments and their grades are falling. This can be a perfect storm of adversity, but only if you don’t seek help elsewhere. Try speaking with your professor about your concerns and ask whether they can provide more resources for you. Some colleges offer tutoring labs or help centers (in person and/or online) where you can get extra support.
Of course, these options are only available during set times, so subscribing to a homework help app can also fill in the blanks when you need on-demand help. In the end, with a bit of hard work and the right resources, you might be able to pull through and avoid dropping out, only to have to retake a course again.
Options for Homework Help
When deciding which type of homework help may work best for you, it is important to understand all of the available options. These, on their own or in combination with one another, can help students who have falling grades or difficulty with homework to the point that they’re ready to drop a class and start all over again. The alternative solution would be getting the right resources and support for your academic struggles.
- Visit the Help Centers: For some subjects like writing or math, you can make use of a college help center (for those that have them). These may have in-person or online options, but the drawback is that you may need to wait for assistance and can only get help during working hours that could conflict with your class schedule.
- Hire a Tutor: You can work one-on-one with a tutor on a regular basis to hone your skills in a particular subject. Keep in mind that this can quickly get expensive while being effective, with many professional tutors charging $50 or more an hour.
- Ask a Friend: If you have a classmate or friend who seems to grasp the topics you struggle with, you can ask them for help, too. When you do this, you are at the mercy of both their schedule and their understanding of the content.
- Sign Up for Kunduz: This EdTech-focused homework help app has recently been celebrated in publications such as Inc., Forbes, and Fortune. With more than 35,000 professional tutors available 24/7, Kunduz users receive responses to their questions within 15 minutes. Tutors can help with any subject with an easy submission that includes simply taking a photo and submitting your question. A monthly Kunduz subscription costs significantly less than one hour with a private tutor and includes resources for both high school and college students.
Struggling with homework can be overwhelming in and of itself. But putting off getting the right help will only make the situation worse. With so many options available for homework help, now is the time to seek assistance, regain your good grades, and reduce your overall stress.