“Offering help is courageous and compassionate, but so is asking for help.”
– Brené Brown
I love the energy that comes with the start of a new academic year. There is the hustle and bustle of so many students on campus, the first Buckeye football game is just around the corner, and we recently celebrated one of my favorite traditions, The Ohio State University College of Medicine White Coat Ceremony.
This annual event marks the beginning of our newest medical students’ journey to becoming doctors, and each year, I have the privilege of welcoming them with a few pearls of wisdom. In this season of fresh starts, I want to share with you one piece of advice that I always give our new learners: Never be afraid to ask questions.
It may sound simple. After all, curiosity is at the heart of discovery, and growth — in medicine and in life — depends on our willingness to keep learning. But asking questions, especially those rooted in uncertainty or personal struggle, requires real courage.
There is a particular vulnerability in saying, “I don’t know,” or “I need help.” Many worry it will make them appear weak or burdensome. Others feel pressure to live up to unattainable standards of self-reliance. Yet these fears and preoccupations are often misguided. Research shows that people consistently underestimate how willing others are to help and overestimate how inconvenient their request will be.
In other words: people want to help more than we think!
When we ask for help, we do so much more than just solve problems. We lighten our cognitive loads, reduce our stress levels and expand our perspectives. We build stronger relationships, demonstrate humility and self-awareness, and enhance our overall well-being. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but of wisdom.
There is also power in giving help. Known as the “helper-therapy principle,” it is widely accepted that those who help others experience improved well-being themselves, as well as a greater sense of purpose. Asking for and giving help are truly two sides of the same coin. They connect us to our shared humanity and build our trust in one another. Both are good for us, and for our community.
So, whether you are a first-year student or a seasoned professional, I encourage you to embrace the power of asking for help. When we make this the norm, rather than the exception, we foster a culture where vulnerability is respected, collaboration is celebrated and everyone can thrive.
Dean, College of Medicine
Leslie H. and Abigail S. Wexner Dean’s Chair in Medicine
Vice President for Health Sciences, Wexner Medical Center