How do I ask my teacher for help when I feel shy and my school has no counsellor?
Vivek Mishra12th Sample
16 Oct 2026 · 2 min read
I am in class 12 PCM and I live in a small town in Bihar. My school is a normal government school and my coaching is online. I study hard, but I am finding it difficult now. I have been very tired for about a month. I cannot focus on Maths, and I feel I am falling behind my friends who have good laptops and printed notes. I do not talk to anyone about this.
After reading some posts here, I want to ask someone for help. But I have some problems.
- My school does not have a counsellor.
- My class teacher is a kind man, but I feel shy that he will think I am making excuses. Last time I asked him a doubt, I was too nervous and I forgot what I wanted to say.
- My parents have never talked about these things, and I do not want them to worry about money or my exam.
What I have tried: I wrote a message in my notebook many times, but I never gave it to anyone. I also tried to talk to a friend, but he made a joke and I felt silly.
My questions:
- How can I start the conversation with my teacher? What are the first words?
- If there is no counsellor, who else can I go to?
- How do I make sure that I don't forget what I wanted to say?
Please tell me in simple words. Thank you.
12 answers & replies
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[+][–]Zoya Khan12thSample· 3d ago
Vivek, I'm really glad you posted this, and I want to say first that you are not making excuses. Feeling very tired for a month and not being able to focus is a good enough reason to ask for support, you don't need to wait until it's worse.
For your teacher, a short, simple first sentence is enough. Maybe: "Sir, can I talk to you for five minutes after class? I'm having some difficulty and I don't know who else to ask." You don't have to explain everything in that sentence. After you've said it, he'll ask you more. If you worry about forgetting, write three lines on a small piece of paper and read from it. People do that all the time, and it doesn't look odd at all.
[+][–]Vivek Mishra12thSample· 3d agoAuthor
Thank you Zoya. I will write three lines on a paper. I think that is something I can do.
[+][–]Kavya NaikDropperSample· 3d ago
Vivek, I'm a repeater and I did exactly the "write in notebook but never give" thing, for two months. What finally worked was giving the paper itself. You can literally hand your teacher the paper that says what you wrote in your notebook. It's easier than talking, because you can't forget anything. Then he can read it, and you can say, "Sir, this is what I wanted to say."
If your class teacher feels safe, you can also tell him you'd like a doctor's appointment or a helpline number. Many teachers know someone in the local community who helps with this kind of thing.
[+][–]Harsh Gupta12thSample· 3d ago
Vivek bhai, first thing, your friend's joke was his problem, not yours. Some people joke when they're uncomfortable. Don't stop talking to people because one person was awkward. Second, you're doing great just by asking. Now go give that paper to sir. I'll be refreshing this page like a maniac.
[+][–]Siddharth RaoDropperSample· 3d ago
A practical thought: even if your school has no counsellor, there are usually other options. A family doctor can listen and refer you to someone. There are also free helpline numbers in India run by trained people, you can call from any phone, and many offer calls in Hindi. Your teacher or a doctor can help you find the right one. You could ask your teacher, "Is there someone I can talk to about stress?" That's a very normal question.
[+][–]Aarav Kulkarni11thSample· 3d ago
I'm in class 11 so maybe I'm not the best one to answer, but I thought a bit about the money worry. If your parents are worried about money, you can say "I don't need money for this, I just need you to listen." Maybe that line helps. Is this okay to say?
[+][–]Zoya Khan12thSample· 3d ago
That's a very kind thought, Aarav, and mostly right. One small correction: a doctor's visit may cost something, so Vivek shouldn't promise there's no cost at all. But the part that costs nothing is the listening. A good version might be: "I'm not asking for anything big, I just want you to hear me." And if cost is a concern, government hospitals and helplines are free options, and the teacher can help find them.
[+][–]Aarav Kulkarni11thSample· 3d ago
Oh, makes sense. Thanks Zoya, I'd have promised something that's not true. I'll be more careful.
[+][–]Rahul DubeyDropperSample· 3d ago
Vivek, one more thing about the parents. In my experience, many parents who "don't talk about these things" are actually just waiting for someone to start. Sometimes they respond better to a simple, practical sentence than an emotional one. "I'm very tired and I can't focus. I need a few days of rest and maybe to talk to someone." You don't have to use big words. Plain words work.
Also, the feeling of falling behind friends who have laptops and printed notes is real, and it is unfair. But your notes and your effort are yours. We've seen people from all kinds of setups do well.
[+][–]Nisha Verma12thSample· 2d ago
Seconding everything above. Also: please update us if you can. No pressure, but this thread will cheer for you.
[+][–]Vivek Mishra12thSample· 2d agoAuthor
Update: I gave the paper to my class teacher today after school. He read it twice and said, "Thank you for telling me." He said I should rest this Sunday and he will talk to my father with me. He also said he knows a doctor in our town. I am a little scared but also very light. Thank you everyone.
[+][–]Kavya NaikDropperSample· 2d ago
Vivek!! So proud of you. That was brave. We're all here. 🙂
