We feel you. Your teacher has given you a piece of homework, and it's well hard! You've tried everything we recommended on our page for what to do if you can't do your homework, and you're still stuck. But don't worry – we've got some advice on how to ask for help when you need it.
Watch this short video and then read our expert tips and you'll soon feel more confident about asking for help when you need it.
Our Homework Helpline heroes are comedians Louise Young, Inel Tomlinson, and actor Lenny Rush – happy to help!
Inel: We've got a call.
Ella: Hi, my name is Ella. I'm in Year 8 and my question is: I've been really struggling with my homework since joining high school, I have no idea what I'm doing. What should I do?
Louise: I feel you. I used to have this with math, that was my worst thing. I would get so lost with it and I was so scared to ask for help.
Inel: Yeah, for me it was history. It can be hard asking for help. But luckily we've got some helpful tips from our experts. Now, the first tip might sound obvious, but if you're struggling to come to grips with something, then the best thing to do is to ask for help as soon as possible. Even if you're in the class and the teacher is just giving out the homework.
Louise: Yeah, but I used to be so scared to ask for help.
Inel: Yeah, it can be overwhelming asking for help because sometimes you don't know how your teachers gonna react.
Lenny: That's what teachers are there for though. They want to teach you new things and help you understand your subjects. Asking them for help is a key part of the learning process. It helps you gain your Independence.
Inel: Talk to your teacher face to face and be specific about what you need help with.
Lenny: And you know, if you need that little bit more information, or more a bit of a guide, you can always make sure you message your teacher on the online portal, or you can just send them an email if you have a system like that. But just don't leave it too close to the due date.
Louise: Oh yeah, burying me head in the sand filled with pie and Pythagoras never helped me.
Inel: Nor me.
Lenny: It also helps to be specific if you do send a message or email with what you need help with.
Inel: Don't just send a message saying 'Sir I don't know how to do my homework'.
Lenny: Exactly! It doesn't explain it enough does it? You need to break things down and tell them what you've tried what you're struggling with. Just help the teacher out a bit more. So to recap.
Louise: First and foremost, if you need help just ask. It is there if you need it.
Lenny: Speak to your teacher if you need more support.
Inel: Be specific about what you need help with.
Lenny: For more information check out BBC Bitesize Support.
How to ask for help with your homework.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Asking for help is an important part of the learning process, as you build independence. You’re still developing your habits and routines at this stage, so you can build on them later.
Be specific
You might be able to email your teacher directly, or message them via an online platform to ask questions. You could also ask your teacher if you can go and chat to them about it. Whatever approach you choose to take, try to be specific about what you need help with. Rather than saying “I can’t do my homework” or “I can’t do question 10”, say what you’ve already done, and why you’re stuck.
Here are some ways in which you can be specific when you ask for help:
- “I’m stuck on question 10. I tried looking at the question we did like this on Wednesday, but I can’t remember how we started it. Can you remind me what I do first, to help me to work out the answer?”
Or
- “I’m trying to do my homework, but I don’t quite understand what I have to do. I’ve got as far as summarising the sources, but I don’t know what to do with it now."
If you need support
You should always tell someone about the things you’re worried about. You can tell a friend, parent, guardian, teacher, or another trusted adult. If you're struggling with your mental health, going to your GP can be a good place to start to find help. Your GP can let you know what support is available to you, suggest different types of treatment and offer regular check-ups to see how you’re doing.
If you’re in need of in-the-moment support you can contact Childline, where you can speak to a counsellor. Their lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There are more links to helpful organisations on BBC Action Line.
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