Asking for help is not a sign of weakness: A recent grad’s message to new students

September 18, 2020 | Campus Life

Back

I attended a different university for one year after high school and flunked out. I knew I was struggling and I could feel myself falling behind, but didn’t want to admit that to anyone. Not even to myself. I didn’t want to ask for help because it felt like that would be admitting I didn’t know what was going on.

Seventeen years later, I know that asking for help is not a sign of weakness – it is a sign of courage. That’s why my best advice for new students is to be brave. Don't think that a problem you’re having is your problem alone. Be brave and turn to your professors, your classmates and MacEwan’s support services for help when you need them.

Try setting up a study group for one of your classes. Go and see your profs during office hours. Visit the kîhew waciston Indigneous Centre in Building 9. My MacEwan experience (and likely the person I am today) would have been very different without the support, teachings and community I found there.

Most of all, know that asking for help is a sign of courage. Be brave. You can do this. You're already doing great and you’re going to be finished before you know it.

– Christina Hardie, Bachelor of Arts, History, Class of 2020

How to get help with almost anything at MacEwan

Academic, personal and wellness services are still available – here’s how to access them.

Get MacEwan University news delivered to your inbox.
Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter