The Courage to Ask by Corey

The Courage to Ask by Corey - September 2026 Scholarship Essay

The study strategy that has had the greatest impact on my academic success is asking for help when I do not understand something. For a long time, I thought asking for help meant that I was not as smart as other students. Over time, I learned that asking for help is not a weakness. It is one of the reasons I have been able to succeed academically.

I have had an IEP since second grade, and growing up, I sometimes compared myself to classmates who seemed to understand things faster than I did. I remember watching other students finish their work while I needed additional time or support. Being pulled out of class for extra help sometimes made me feel different. I wondered why I could not learn the same way they did.

One person who changed the way I thought about learning was my teacher, Ms. Edmundson. She helped me understand that everyone learns differently and that needing support did not mean I was incapable. She encouraged me to ask questions instead of being afraid of getting something wrong. Her encouragement helped me realize that my IEP was not a label that defined me. It was a tool that helped me learn in the way that worked best for me.

Since then, I have made asking for help an important part of how I approach school. When I do not understand something, I do not simply ignore it and hope it will make sense later. I ask my teacher to explain it another way. I review the material again. If I still do not understand it, I ask another question. Sometimes I need someone to walk through a problem with me before I can do it independently. Once I understand the concept, I practice it until I feel confident doing it on my own.

This strategy has made a major difference in my academic success. I have learned that struggling with something does not mean I am going to fail. It means I have found something I need to work on. Instead of being embarrassed that I do not immediately know the answer, I focus on figuring out how to get there.

That change in mindset has helped me maintain a 3.5 GPA and remain on the Honor Roll throughout high school. More importantly, it has taught me persistence. I have learned that success is not always about getting everything right the first time. Sometimes success means recognizing when you need support, accepting that support, and then putting in the work to improve.

As I prepare for college, I know I will face classes that challenge me in ways I have never experienced before. I also know that I do not have to face those challenges alone. I will continue to ask questions, seek support, and use the resources available to me. I have learned that being a successful student does not mean knowing everything. It means being willing to learn.
The strategy of asking for help has changed more than my grades. It has changed how I see myself. I no longer see needing support as something that makes me different or less capable. I see it as part of how I learn and grow. That lesson will stay with me long after I graduate from high school.