I don’t know about teachers, but with regular people, it’s surprising how much they can miss. Saying, “I don’t understand what’s wrong,” -ought- to be enough, but it could be you’ll have to say, “Could you explain it to me?” or even, “Is there some time you could go over it with me?”

My husband is a high school teacher. He never answers an “I don’t understand question,” like that unless his student cannot explain what he/she didn’t understand. If a student gave up after two minutes of attempting an assignment, then the student cannot ask for help. Be specific in saying you don’t understand. If you read a story and you only say that you didn’t understand it, then all a teacher has to go on is that you can’t read. If you can’t solve math problems, then the teacher needs to know exactly what step confused you. Same with science, be very specific about what confused you. So many teachers have to deal with students that are looking for the easiest way out of an assignment that the more vague your reasons are, then the more unbelievable your complaint is.

What have you done prior to telling your teacher that you don’t understand? Have you really, really tried to do the work? Have you paid attention in class? Have you READ the assignment? Did you ask for help BEFORE the assignment was due? When you ask for help, do you tell your teacher specifically what you don’t understand or what you need help with, or do you just hand them the assignment and whine “I don’t get this? This is too hard?” Do you complete the entire assignment so that teachers can make comments on your paper and tell you what you did wrong? Does this happen in all of your classes or just certain ones?

Teachers have a lot to deal with but most are willing to help IF the student is willing to meet them halfway! As a former classroom teacher for 20 years, I was always willing to work extra with the students who had a positive attitude, cooperated in class, and really tried in class – and try is the key word here. If you can honestly say that you are a model student who just doesn’t get it and have tried to get help from your teachers, then I say you have a legitimate complaint and you should ask your parents to intervene on your behalf with the teachers who aren’t willing to help you!

If you are really interested in getting help with the things you do not understand, talk to your teacher and tell them that you “aren’t getting it”. Some teachers will help students afterschool or on thier “breaks” if they know a student is trying hard and really needs extra help. That is what I do. Make sure to have a good attitude when you ask, if they think you are being lazy with homework or just don’t want to do it they aren’t going to be willing to put in the extra time. YOU have to work hard, if you want your teacher to work hard for you! Some schools have free tutoring programs, if your teacher can’t help then he/she might be able to refer you to someone who can. Now, go and ask and don’t stop asking until you get help! Or is it just easier to say…no one will help me and I’ll never understand and leave the books at school? Take responsibility.

So, what did YOU do to help yourself understand the assignment? Did you participate in class that day? Did you take notes? Did you ask questions when the homework was assigned? Did you utilize the last few minutes of class to get it started, and approach the teacher then? Did you see the teacher before or after class to get things clarified?

It should not be like that, my wife is a teacher and in her spare time in school helps out students that are having problem understanding.

A good teacher or one that cares knows how the student is and the difficulties they are having.

But if the student fools around all the class and never pays attention,then I don’t think anyone will put extra time to help him.

Take care

P.s. what school do you study in? The teachers are usually frustrated and quite low paid. and honest to god – i dont think they know the answer themselves or are just too lazy to try doing it. They try to push for tuitions. Its very important you understand concepts at each stage and thus if need be – ask your teacher for a time later in the day before school or after to help you understand this problem. I cant believe one saying “better luck next time” unless she wants to lose a student over her attitude.

Bottom line – YOU MUST ASK THEM to tell you what you did wrong – pester probe prod them to give you a time if they dont have it then cause this is very important for the later years.

P.s. what school do you study in? The teachers are usually frustrated and quite low paid. and honest to god – i dont think they know the answer themselves or are just too lazy to try doing it. They try to push for tuitions. Its very important you understand concepts at each stage and thus if need be – ask your teacher for a time later in the day before school or after to help you understand this problem. I cant believe one saying “better luck next time” unless she wants to lose a student over her attitude.

Bottom line – YOU MUST ASK THEM to tell you what you did wrong – pester probe prod them to give you a time if they dont have it then cause this is very important for the later years.

Were you paying attention in class? Maybe the teacher went over the materials 100 times in class and she doesn’t feel like saying the same thing again.

stop whining and do something about it. It is now up to you to approach the teacher after school and have him/her elaborate a bit more or even help you. All of your problems will not be solved by a comment from a teacher…you need to seek assistance and work to solve your problems