Holistic Student Success Platform
Help Seeking
Help Seeking is a critical skill for college students aiming for academic success and persistence. Developing a positive attitude, a willingness to seek help, and the ability to use appropriate resources can make a significant difference in overcoming challenges and reaching your goals. This guide provides strategies to improve Help Seeking and lists external resources to support you on your journey.
Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of strength. It shows you have the courage to admit when you don’t know something and to learn something new.
Barack Obama
General Tips and Strategies to Improve Help Seeking
Normalize Help Seeking
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Understand that seeking help is a strength, not a weakness.
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Remember that everyone needs assistance at some point, and it’s a normal part of the learning process.
Identify Your Needs
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Clearly define the areas where you need support. Is it understanding course content, managing your time, or navigating campus life?
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Break down large problems into smaller, more manageable questions.
Know Your Resources
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Familiarize yourself with available campus resources, such as tutoring centers, academic advisors, or counseling services.
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Keep a list of contacts for professors, teaching assistants (TAs), and peer mentors.
Be Proactive
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Don’t wait until the last minute to seek help. Reach out as soon as you notice difficulties.
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Attend office hours regularly, even if you don’t have pressing questions.
Cultivate a Supportive Network
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Build relationships with peers, professors, and advisors who can provide guidance.
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Join study groups or campus organizations to expand your support system.
Use Effective Communication
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Be clear and specific about the help you need.
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Actively listen to feedback and ask follow-up questions if necessary.
Help Seeking Resources at SIPI
Provide confidential, one-on-one sessions to help students balance school, work, and personal life, improving academic success. Students are encouraged to meet with counselors early and often, especially if facing academic challenges or needing support. Services are offered in a friendly environment at the Student Success Center, Building 101, Rooms 150 & 151.
Students with Accessibility needs
Can receive classroom and residential accommodations by self-identifying and providing documentation at the Student Success Center, Room 142. The center also connects students with local, state, federal, and tribal resources and assists with campus visitation arrangements.
Funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, bridges academic and non-academic support for working families, first-generation, and low-income students. Located in Room 142 of the Student Success Building, it provides essential resources like food, household items, and emergency aid while partnering with organizations like Western Sky and MoGro to further assist students in need.
The Albuquerque Indian Dental Clinic (AIDC)
Provides routine, preventative, and emergency dental care for SIPI students.
Support the medical and emergency needs of students, staff, and faculty. The nurse collaborates with Indian Health Service and local hospitals for referrals and provides workshops on topics like diabetes, bloodborne pathogens, and COVID safety. For assistance, contact Diane S. Johnson, RN, at Building 101, Office 123, or call 505.922.6505 or email dsjohnson@mail.sipi.edu.