Congratulations on making it through week three! This week was the deadline for dropping out, opting out, basically anything that involves getting "out," so from here I'm just going to assume you're in your program for the long run. Things get increasingly more challenging as the weeks press on, so make sure you get the help you need with your work. Some students form study groups and seek help that way. Some seek help from their professors. Others might stop by the Learning Centre in A building. Maybe it isn't school help you need, maybe you need to talk with a professional counsellor instead, about the many common issues students go through. Whatever it is, just make sure you get the help you need. Your success depends on it. Fanshawe has the resources you need but it's up to you to use them.

A lot of people who need help aren't going to ask for it, and most of the time it's because they're shy or unsure of themselves or maybe too proud. Either way, suck it up! This is your future we're talking about; you don't want to have any regrets or missed opportunities going forward. Make sure to reach out whenever you need it.

Quite honestly, I ask for help often, sometimes on a daily basis. I couldn't do my job as well without the resources that are there for me. I have no reason to be ashamed of it because that's how the world works - we lean on each other. When students ask me about financial aid, I don't just whip up an answer. I have to call the financial aid office to get the facts straight. I might even delegate the work to the vice-president of finance, Andrew Payne, if I'm that busy. I get a lot of students who are sort of shocked by this, asking, "Shouldn't the president know this stuff?" (And by "stuff" I'm including a variety of things, from financial aid info to the hours of the Out Back Shack.)

Well, I don't know everything. Neither do you. That's why we ask for help and use our resources. The biggest lesson I've learned here is that you can't be successful by yourself; it's a team effort. The quarterback can't make all the touchdowns. I rely on a team of good people to help me do my job — there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to reach out for help with your challenges as well.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.