While I am sitting in class I encounter many moments where I do not understand what the professor is instructing about completely. I know I should ask a question, however I feel wary to, because of the fear of sounding stupid, dumb, or ignorant. This includes the resources they offer, such as student success centers, peer tutoring, mentors, and study groups. In Chapter two of “The Transition to College Writing” by Keith Hjortshoj, he states that “In the first year of college, students are sometimes reluctant to use these resources because they view them as “remedial” services that are designed for poor writers (29).” This could cause a significant change in how well I do at Old Dominion University, therefore I should take these opportunities and use them at every possible moment.

I am guilty of not asking questions in class when I do not understand something, and I need to work on it if I want to succeed in college, even life. Refraining from using the resources as simple as asking a question when I misunderstand something in class is a major risk. Not asking could cause me from not being able to answer questions on exams that I would need to know. Knowing and not knowing these answers could mean the difference between passing and failing that exam. Failing exams is something every college student cannot afford to have happen, every grade counts, and so does every question.

Not asking a question can be a danger to you in multiple aspects; anywhere from getting lost in the class, getting behind in assignments, and becoming frustrated. This will cause unnecessary stress that is going to cause even more problems than just not asking a simple question. I know it is unnerving to some people to ask and interrupt the class, but if I do not understand something then I need to ask that question. Asking questions is very beneficial to helping you understand things you do not, it makes you more known in the classroom, and the teacher notices that you are participating. In this instance that could help you out later in the semester, maybe some extra credit points, just for asking questions in class and showing interest.

Other major resources that universities offer are student success centers, peer tutoring, and study groups. Using these as aids to help you succeed are beyond beneficial to all students. Taking on college by yourself is way too difficult, they offer these things for a reason; to help you with your studies and be the best student you can be. The student success centers are designed as a study hall, they allow you to give work to other professors, they will read, analyze, and critique it. It’s a place for constructive criticism, all this can do is make your paper stronger. Peer tutoring is used for friend on friend help, you might be more comfortable showing your assignments with friends and if that works then use it! That goes hand and hand with study groups, just groups of friends helping each other out with classes.

Using all of the resources offered to you as a student is an unexplainable benefit. Do not be afraid to raise your hand and ask the teacher about the topic you all are talking about if you do not understand, it will be very constructive for you and other students that do not want to ask either. It can be a very long and difficult semester if you do not use the help that is offered, it can only make things easier to have help. Always use your resources when they are offered, it will make assignments, classes, and college much easier and relaxed.