College · Juniors
How and why to ask for help
Two of your teachers will write your college recommendations. Give them something real to write about.
Recommenders are the only other voices in your application. A generic letter won’t hurt you, but it’s a wasted chance.
Three moves make the difference: ask for help, show up early, and bring your best self to two classes.
Ask for help, starting small
Teachers get to know students who ask. It doesn’t have to be in front of the class. Ask when you’re unsure what, why or how to do something, or when you want to go past the lesson: what did this look like 50 years ago? What could I read next?
- Email a questionleast scary
- Ask after class
- Ask in class
- Go to office hoursthe big one
Show up early for a week
Get to one class early every day for a week. It’s a small, steady signal that says “I care about this class,” and it gives you a minute to talk before the bell.
- Monearly
- Tueearly
- Wedearly
- Thuearly
- Friearly
Bring your best self to two classes
Colleges look for one humanities and one STEM recommendation, so pick one class in each. Don’t fake it; teachers can tell.
- 1English 11Humanities
- 2Algebra II
- 3US History
- 4ChemistrySTEM
- 5Spanish III
- 6Art
In those two classes, try a few of these:
- Listen like it matters. Sit up, eyes on the board, and don’t pack up before the bell. It’s contagious.
- Notice your classmates. Who’s confused, who’s left out. Help when you get the chance.
- Get to know your teacher as a person. Make it clear you want to improve, whether you’re at the top of the class or the bottom.
“He admitted to hating high school as a student. He regrets wasting all that time staring at the clock, when if he’d found one thing in class that made him excited, he would’ve been able to focus.”
Why it matters past college
The people you get to know this way become the ones who vouch for you later: a reference, a second chance, someone who speaks up for you. Your reputation follows you, so start building a good one now.
Next steps
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