What is help?

Because most students on Planet College feel that by this point in their lives they ought to be able to handle anything, often even recognizing the need for help is difficult. Basically is there something in your life which is overall distracting you from completing your current term with passing grades? If you can identify something which you can't currently manage you may need help. Often these are seemingly trivial things which gradually have gotten out of hand. Noisy building, difficult instructor, unreasonable manager at work, these types of things are common, but, over time each, any or all of them can become stressful. Large things, end of a relationship, failing grade in a required course, cancellation of financial aid are major stressors. Major stressors are easily identified.

Whatever is the cause, events leading to a feeling of helplessness are usually a sign that you could benefit from help.

Now that we know the general outline of when help seems necessary, we need to learn what help actually is.

On Planet College we have a slogan about help. This slogan comes in the form of a riddle. The slogan is : What is Help? Then answer? Help is help. That is what help is. Any resource even remotely bearing on the subject can be considered help. Some times its obvious. When you're building gets too noisy talking with your RA couldn't hurt. Any other instructor might be able to help you see your way clear through a course with a difficult instructor. Difficult managers at work are often something that simply needs to be endured. Still talking with someone, anyone, about work can help.

Larger things, which usually involve sudden loss, call for help but on a more comprehensive scale. Help can be found through individual counselors or group counseling both of which are often available on campus and often at no costs.

What ever the cause there often is not any better help on Planet College than talking things over with a friend.

Then next thing we need to look at is how to ask.

Orderly Withdrawls, when it all gets to be too much.

Life on Planet College is very, very demanding. Sometimes given our resources and continuing demands for our attention it can be too demanding. And we feel like quitting. This is understandable. We are limited, finite, human. When we not only feel like quitting but leaving school seems to be the most useful option there are some things to consider.
First of all you are probably stressed. The urge to quit usually occurs when somewhere inside we feel like we can't handle it. That is why it is probably a good idea to talk to someone. Someone who can listen and not judge. Sometimes its a friend. Sometimes not. On Planet College there are often a number of resources available to discuss your current life pressures. Counselors, former instructors maybe even whoever is covering the Interfaith desk this week in the Student Center. Whoever. It is simply useful and practical to find someone to talk it out with. Leaving school is a serious decision. It carries a lot of implications. Sometimes it is your best option. If you choose to do so, make sure you follow the guidelines required by your school. They are probably available at the Registrar's office. If currently college is more than you can handle you could probably use a break. While "quitting" sounds discouraging, it may be that a break for now can help you sort out your choices. Just remember. Don't just walk away. Talk to someone. If it still seems to be the way to go, follow your school's procedures for withdrawing. Get the forms, get the required signatures, turn them in to the appropriate offices. Also if you have time stop by and say thanks to instructors, coaches, office workers, your first RA, anybody who may have been helpful along the way. Remember you may want to return some time in the future.