Why You Shouldn't Delay Asking for Help During College

As the first member of my family to attend university, I entered this new environment without the guidance and expectations that are often passed down through generations. Little did I know about seeking help from my professors outside of class hours. By the time I realized the value of office hours, I was already making my decisions based on misunderstandings and common misconceptions. I often skipped these valuable opportunities, thinking that my questions were too advanced or that I wasn't expected to venture into more complex areas of study.

Valuable Early Engagement with Professors

One of the inflection points in my academic journey was when I met a professor who encouraged me to spend more time with him. He observed that most of my peers were not even grappling with the questions that I was raising, which highlighted the importance of seeking help from day one. This professor not only helped me, but he also encouraged other students to take advantage of these opportunities.

Now, as a university professor, I understand the struggles of my students. Persuading them to reach out for help remains one of my most challenging tasks. Early engagement with professors is crucial for any student's success, especially when topics are not fully understood.

Choosing the Right Subjects

Looking back, I wonder if I had the foresight to choose Political Science and Economics, given the current advancements in learning support. At the time, I was terrified of the math required in these subjects. Today, with the awareness of learning disabilities, accommodations are available to help students excel. Back then, I had to take three hours of math and three hours of a hard science, which I was fortunate to pass with Cs without jeopardizing my GPA.

These subjects were fascinating, but the math component was a significant barrier. Two particular problems in Analytical Geometry and Chemistry stood out as being so challenging that I did not attempt to solve them. I still do not remember how to begin approaching these questions, and I was left with a lingering sense of unease about these subjects.

Lacking Accommodations for Learning Disabilities

It is a reflection of the past that accommodations for learning disabilities were not readily available during my university years. Just last year, at the age of 77, I was diagnosed with ADHD, a condition that can include dyscalculia, a learning disability in math. People with dyscalculia face difficulties with mathematical concepts and basic math problems, which can make more abstract math challenging.

Had there been support in place, I might have taken more risks in my studies and gained a deeper understanding of Political Science and Economics. These subjects hold relevance for any educated voter, making knowledge in them crucial for informed decision-making.

Challenging Questions that Stumped Me

I vividly remember two problems that were perplexing:

Analytical Geometry Question:

“What is the distance from the center of a sphere which is tangent to all three planes of a trirectangular trihedral angle and to a smaller sphere which is also tangent to all three planes of the trirectangular trihedral angle to the point of the trirectangular trihedral angle?

I can visualize the scenario but have no clue about the mathematical solution.

Chemistry Question:

Constructing a shoebox spectroscope and aiming it at a sodium vapor lamp were steps I could manage. However, the question of determining which electrons are dropping from one shell to another to produce light of the observed frequencies remains a mystery to me. I suspect a mathematical derivation is needed, but I am unable to figure it out.

In conclusion, my experiences highlight the importance of seeking help early and often. Additionally, accessing support for learning disabilities can significantly enhance one's academic journey. Reflecting on my past, I strongly believe that these insights would have been invaluable.