Stage 6 · Lesson 2 of 6

What to ask, and whom

Different problems need different helpers. A hard subject: a classmate, teaching assistant or teacher's office hours. Course or career decisions: a senior, mentor or careers office.

Money: your university's financial aid office, a scholarship body or a trusted relative. Homesickness and stress: a friend, a family member or the university counselling centre. Health: a doctor.

Feeling very low or unsafe: a counsellor, doctor or helpline. Matching the problem to the right person gets better help and spreads the load.

Common traptaking every problem to the same one or two people, or to no one, because you have not thought about who else could help.

A question to check yourself and an AI practice session come when you add the roadmap to your account. Add it

Resources for this stage

Start with· follow one of these

VideoFree
The Power of Vulnerability (Brené Brown, TEDxHouston)
Brené Brown (TEDxHouston)
Why letting people see you struggle builds connection rather than weakness
GuideFree
How to Ask Good Questions (Julia Evans)
Julia Evans · Beginner
Practical rules for asking clear questions people can actually answer

Keep handy

Doing What Matters in Times of Stress (WHO)
WHO's free illustrated guide to coping when things are hard
7 Cups (free peer listening)
Free chat with a trained volunteer listener, any time

Struggling right now? If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, contact local emergency services or a crisis line: Find a helpline (any country), Umang (Pakistan), Tele-MANAS, 14416 (India).