Stuck on “Hi, Can Anyone Give Me a Suggestion Abt This?” Here’s How to Get Real Help
We’ve all been there. You’re staring at a confusing assignment, a coding problem that won’t budge, a half-written essay that feels like mush, or maybe just a general “what should I do next?” feeling. The cursor blinks mockingly on your screen in a forum, group chat, or class discussion board. You type out a hesitant plea: “Hi can anyone give me a suggestion abt this?” You hit send… and then… crickets. Or maybe you get a vague, unhelpful reply that leaves you even more confused.
That sinking feeling? It’s super common. Asking for help effectively is a skill, and that casual, slightly unclear approach often doesn’t yield the results you need, especially in academic or professional settings. So, let’s ditch the frustration and figure out how to turn that tentative “abt this?” into actionable advice that actually moves you forward.
Why “Hi, Can Anyone Give Me a Suggestion Abt This?” Often Falls Flat
It’s not that people are inherently unhelpful (though sometimes, sure!). The issue usually lies in the way the request is framed:
1. Too Vague: “Abt this?” What is “this”? Your audience has zero context. Are you talking about a calculus proof, a Python script, choosing a research topic, or fixing a leaky faucet? People can’t help if they don’t know what the problem is.
2. Lacks Specificity: “A suggestion” is incredibly broad. Are you looking for a resource? A debugging tip? A structural change to your essay? Feedback on a specific point? Help choosing between options? The more specific you are about the type of help you need, the better.
3. Passive Language: “Can anyone…” puts the entire burden on the potential helper to identify themselves and figure out if they can help. It’s less engaging than a direct request.
4. Missing Effort: It can unintentionally signal (even if it’s not true!) that you haven’t tried to figure it out yourself. People are generally more willing to help those who’ve shown some initiative.
Leveling Up Your Ask: From “Abt This?” to “Action This!”
Getting good suggestions isn’t about magic; it’s about clear communication and showing you’re engaged. Here’s how to transform your approach:
1. Provide CLEAR Context (What is “This”?)
Subject & Topic: Always start with the absolute basics. “I’m working on a Python assignment (Intro to CS 101)…” or “I’m writing a history essay on the causes of the French Revolution…”
The Specific Problem: Don’t just say “I’m stuck.” Explain where you’re stuck. What is confusing you? What have you tried?
Relevant Details: Share the exact error message (for code), the specific paragraph you’re struggling with (for writing), the step in the math problem where you get lost, or the options you’re debating between. Paste a small snippet of code, quote the tricky sentence, or describe the conflicting information you found.
Instead of: “Hi can anyone give me a suggestion abt this code? It’s not working.”
Try: “Hi, I’m working on a Python function (assignment for CS110) that’s supposed to calculate average grades from a list. My code runs without errors, but it always returns 0. I’ve checked the list input, and it seems fine. Here’s the function: `[Paste small, relevant code snippet]`. Any ideas why the average is zero?”
2. Specify EXACTLY What Kind of Help You Need
What does “a suggestion” mean to you in this specific case?
Be Precise: Are you asking for:
Debugging help? (Point out where the error might be)
Conceptual clarification? (Explain why something works a certain way)
Resource recommendations? (Point me to a good tutorial on X)
Feedback on a specific part? (Is my thesis statement clear?)
Help choosing between options A and B? (Which approach is more efficient?)
A brainstorming partner? (Help me generate ideas for my project topic)
Instead of: “…give me a suggestion abt this?”
Try: “…Could someone help me debug why the average is zero?” or “…Looking for feedback on whether my thesis statement effectively captures the argument?” or “…Need suggestions for reputable sources on the economic causes of the French Revolution.”
3. Show Your Work (The Golden Rule!)
Demonstrate that you’ve put in effort. Briefly explain:
What you’ve already tried (and what happened).
What you understand so far.
Where your understanding breaks down.
What resources you’ve already consulted (textbook, lecture notes, Google search terms used).
Why this works: It shows you’re not just looking for someone to do the work for you. It helps helpers avoid suggesting things you’ve already tried. It pinpoints your exact confusion. People respect and are more inclined to help someone who’s clearly engaged.
Add to the example: “…I’ve tried printing the list inside the function, and the values look correct. I also tried manually summing the numbers in the list and dividing, and that gave the right answer. My loop seems okay, so I’m confused why the function output is zero.”
4. Target Your Audience (Where and How You Ask)
Choose the Right Platform: Is this a question best suited for the class discussion forum, a dedicated Discord server for the course, a Stack Overflow tag, a study group, office hours with the professor or TA, or a quick direct message to a knowledgeable classmate? Don’t blast a complex coding question to a general social media feed.
Use Platform Features: Use code blocks (in forums/Discord that support them), attach screenshots if relevant (like a specific error message), format your text for readability. Make it easy for people to help you.
Be Polite and Appreciative: A simple “Thanks in advance for any pointers!” or “I appreciate any insight!” goes a long way. Follow up if someone helps you to let them know if their suggestion worked!
Real-World Scenarios: Transforming the Ask
Let’s apply this to a few common situations:
Essay Writing:
Vague: “Hi, can anyone give me a suggestion abt my essay? It feels off.”
Effective: “Hi everyone, I’m drafting an essay arguing that social media algorithms contribute to political polarization (for POLS 201). I’m struggling to make my third paragraph flow logically from the second. Here are the two paragraphs: `[Paste paragraphs]`. My second paragraph talks about echo chambers, and the third jumps to filter bubbles – does the connection feel smooth? Looking for suggestions on a transition sentence or if I need to reorder points. Thanks!”
Choosing a Topic/Project:
Vague: “Hi, can anyone give me a suggestion abt what to do for my science project?”
Effective: “Hi, for my Biology 150 project, we need to design a small experiment related to plant growth. I’m interested in how light color affects growth but unsure how to narrow it down. I was thinking comparing red vs. blue LED light on bean sprouts? Or maybe natural light vs. artificial? Any suggestions for a feasible, focused experiment design within these themes? I have basic grow lights available.”
Understanding a Concept:
Vague: “Hi, can anyone give me a suggestion abt photosynthesis? I don’t get it.”
Effective: “Hi, I’m reviewing photosynthesis (Bio 101) and understand the basic inputs/outputs (light, CO2, water -> glucose, O2). Where I get lost is the light-dependent reactions. I’ve read the textbook chapter but struggle to visualize the electron transport chain. Could someone explain that part in simpler terms or suggest a good diagram/animation resource that breaks it down step-by-step? I found Khan Academy helpful for the Calvin cycle, but still stuck on the first stage.”
The Payoff: Better Help, Less Stress
Taking those extra few minutes to frame your question clearly isn’t just about being polite; it’s incredibly practical self-help. You’ll likely:
Get Faster, More Relevant Responses: People can immediately see if they can help and what kind of input to give.
Receive Higher-Quality Suggestions: Clear context allows helpers to provide targeted, actionable advice instead of generic guesses.
Deepen Your Own Understanding: The process of articulating exactly where you’re stuck often clarifies the problem in your own mind.
Build a Reputation: Consistently asking thoughtful questions makes people want to help you and see you as a serious student/collaborator.
So, next time you’re tempted to type “hi can anyone give me a suggestion abt this?”, pause. Take a breath. Ask yourself: “What specifically is ‘this’? What exactly do I need help with? What have I already tried?” Answering those questions clearly in your request transforms you from someone vaguely asking for a lifeline into someone actively seeking collaborative solutions. Ditch the “abt this?” and unlock the power of getting truly useful help. You’ve got this!
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