Asking for a letter of recommendation can be intimidating, especially as a first-year. Most classes are larger, and there isn’t quite a strong faculty-to-student relationship, given that you’ve only known them for a semester, and for some, it takes time to come out of their shell and communicate with their professors. I definitely had a lot of these thoughts as I mentally prepared myself to ask for a letter of rec, but it’s important to keep in mind that faculty are there to support you, and asking for one never hurts.
A few tips I have for asking for a LOR, begin with brainstorming what professors you’ve interacted with, perhaps during office hours or after class. I will say that you should ask them three weeks in advance, the earlier, the better. However, if you have to ask last minute, don’t be afraid to explain your situation to your professor and request one. Furthermore, when it comes to asking, preferably, try in person, but it’s completely fine if you do it through email. Explain to them the program you’re applying for, and why you’re interested in it, and provide them with your most-updated resume. A week or a couple of days before the application is due, send them a kind reminder if they haven’t submitted it yet. Finally, always make sure to send them a thank-you email.
Good luck with your letters of recommendation!