OK, so you’re stuck.  First, you’ve done the right thing by looking at this page. . .

Possibility: You don’t know how to get started or what to do next.   

Take heart, this is very common.

What do I do?

• Ask for help.  Knowing when and who to ask for assistance is half the battle in research (and in life!).  For assignments, the right person is: a teacher librarian, your classroom teacher, another knowledgeable person.

Possibility: You may be experiencing “The Dip”.  This is a normal stage of the research process when a person feels frustrated, confused and/or over-whelmed.  Does this chart resonate with you?

Kuhlthau, C. (2017). Model of the Information Search Process [Image]. Retrieved from http://wp.comminfo.rutgers.edu/ckuhlthau/information-search-process/

• Keep reading, taking notes, thinking.  Persistence can pay off.
• Come see a TL (teacher librarian).
• Chat with your teacher.

Possibility: I’m panicking about lots of things – not just my assignment.  Again, many people feel this way from time to time in Year 11 and Year 12.

What do I do?

• Talk to someone you trust.
• Go to College Life in Pav 6 and see the staff at the Help Desk to speak to someone who can help you.
• Contact eHeadspace (for ages 12-25) for free, anonymous help via online chat or phone (1 800 650 890).
• Contact Kids HelpLine (for ages 5-25) for free, anonymous help via online chat or phone (1800 55 1800).

Possibility: I want to get better marks, but I don’t know what else I can do to improve my assignment.

What do I do?

• Ask your teacher or a TL (teacher librarian) to read your draft and give you suggestions.
• Read the top line of the rubric and check your assignment verbs.  See if you can find something to work on.
• Enrol in Keys to Success – this R Unit helps you work “smarter” and improve your marks.
• Try using a database for your research.

Getting a good education will be hard from time to time.

If you’re nervous about asking for help . . . ask anyway!