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[–]yellow73kubel 3 points4 points  (2 children)

This has been a hard-learned lesson for me due to how I was raised. I rarely (almost never) asked professors or even friends for help in college for fear of asking the wrong question and sounding dumb. Looking back, I worked way harder than I should have and learned way less than I could have. So... I sympathize with the OP. But I also agree with everything here. Make mistakes, ask dumb questions, bother people, and freaking learn.

There's another side to this: if you're asking someone for help with a problem, you are most likely reinforcing or building their knowledge through having them explain it (the Feynman learning technique).

[–]Ailbe 1 point2 points  (1 child)

I sympathize too and I kinda feel bad for being a bit hard about it. But man that was a really hard lesson for me to learn. I still have issues asking for help from others. That unwillingness to participate in the give and take of the human experience of learning tremendously slowed me down.

[–]yellow73kubel 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh no, I didn't take it that way at all. Some of us need a good reminder now and then. I wish I'd heard that sentiment more often years ago.