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WHERE TO GET HELP FOR ACADEMIC DIFFICULTIES AND OTHER DIFFICULTIES IN CLASS

If you are having difficulty with the work in class or with any aspect of life in the classroom you should first speak with your teacher.  Teachers may seem to have little time for these kinds of questions during class time but they are all happy to meet with you at other times for a longer or more confidential talk.  Usually this will be at lunch or after school as the time between classes is very short.  Every teacher has one free period each day for class preparation.  It may be possible to meet him or her during that time, especially if you have a study period.

Many teachers provide extra help classes on a weekly basis at noon or after school.  This seems to be most common with Mathematics but any teacher would do this if several students request or require it.  Keep in mind that most teachers also do supervision, plus have their lunch, so cannot always give extra help on the day you might prefer.

If you feel that you are falling behind badly in a course even though you are trying your best, you could go to your counsellor.  He/she will be happy to listen to your concerns and suggest what you could do about them.  There may be other ways to tackle certain parts of a course, or all of it.  Some of these might require a change in the credit you receive but other changes might just be ways to adapt to your learning type.

Tutors are available in the school and in the community.  For a free or low-cost peer tutor you should speak to your counsellor.  Peer tutors are other students who are very capable in a subject and are interested in helping others.    There are paid tutors available in the community, often for help in Math or the sciences.  These are usually senior students who are trying to earn community service hours or extra money.  You can check with your counsellor in the Guidance Office for tutors' names.

If you feel that your difficulty lies with the teacher or with a teacher's policies it is still best to speak with him or her about the problem.  Try to do this outside class time, as both of you would want to avoid any embarrassment.  You can always ask a friend to come with you if you are nervous.  Teachers have large classes and may not always realize that you in particular are having a difficulty academically or in any personal way with them.  The only fair thing to do is tell him or her.   If this fails to resolve the situation you are of course welcome to contact your guidance counsellor who can suggest other options.  In bringing up concerns of this type always review your own part in the situation.