Scared of Talking in Class? 3 Ways To Increase Participation  

 

BY DARINA MURASHEV

As a college student, you’re going to consistently find yourself in unfamiliar situations that will challenge you as an individual. And though it may feel uncomfortable at times, this is among the most important aspects of your education. As you transition from school into grad school or the job market, you’ll continue to find yourself being challenged in similar ways, whether that means adjusting to new rules, taking on new levels of responsibility, or simply accepting that you won’t always be at the very top of the social ladder.

While it’s a natural part of the human experience, don’t let social anxiety stand in the way of your success inside or outside the classroom.

Introverts, Extroverts, and Social Anxiety

The types of transitions common throughout the college experience are often accompanied by social anxieties. Despite popular opinion, social anxieties are not defining characteristics of introverted personalities. If you’ve spent most of your education studying literature, you may encounter a situation where you feel uncomfortable asking questions in a new math class. If you’re in an engineering program, you may feel nervous about whether or not you studied hard enough previously to keep afloat in the next series.

The anxiety triggered by these types of events isn’t exclusive to introverts or extroverts. However, these groups tend to react to these feelings differently. Introverts that normally feel comfortable studying alone may feel pressured to reach out to others for help. Extroverts that are typically at the center of class activity may stop feeling confident about speaking out or start talking nervously. In either case—introverted or extroverted—putting yourself at the center of attention, even for just a moment, may seem out of reach. This can have a significant impact on your education, perhaps making it difficult to get the information that you need in order to be successful.

Tips and Tricks for Speaking Out and Participating

It’s happened to everyone: You’re sitting in class diligently taking notes and you look out the window for what seems to be no more than a second or two. However, when you turn back around you realize that you’re lost. You know that you can raise your hand to get clarification, you understand that’s even expected, but instead you feel frozen because you’re worried about looking foolish.

Do not lose heart. Here are some tips that can help you navigate social anxiety issues as they come up throughout your college experience—and beyond!

• Try not to panic. While easier said than done, remembering not to panic is imperative in these situations. Take a few deep breaths and refocus on the situation you are in—you’ll be amazed by how helpful a few deep breaths can be. If you are prone to these types of panics, take a few moments to mentally prepare before class.
• Reassure yourself. It’s okay to ask questions and contribute to discussions in class. While you’re preparing, take some time to acknowledge that you’re probably going to need to speak out at some time during class, and that is perfectly normal.
• Encourage others. Maybe you have something great to say, but you’re having trouble finding the words. That doesn’t mean you can’t participate in a discussion. When someone else makes a great point, let them know it. This can relieve the pressure you’ve placed on yourself to speak while helping to push the conversation in a useful direction.
• Prepare for the next class. If you didn’t get to ask a question or join the class discussion like you wanted to, that’s okay. Try writing down your questions and ideas so you are ready to bring them up in the future. You can also try engaging a more intimate group of classmates about it later.
• Set goals. Are you concerned about your level of participation? Set incremental goals that you can work on over the course of a semester. Start small and work your way up so it’s easy to see your personal progress unfold.
• Fake it till you make it. It’s a cliché for a reason. If you still don’t feel comfortable participating, it’s ok. Keep practicing and eventually it will begin to feel more natural.

Don’t Be Afraid to Seek Help

It is worth noting that American culture is primarily built around rewarding extroverted behavior, and that system places some significant costs on the social structure (not to mention extra pressure on introverts). Regardless, remember that social anxiety is universal to introverts, extroverts, and everyone in between.

Broadly speaking, a small amount of occasional anxiety isn’t something to be concerned about. However, if your anxieties start to recur frequently, last for long periods of time, or consistently interfere with your ability to function normally, seek the guidance of a mental health professional that can help make your anxieties manageable.

 

By Darina Murashev

Darina Murashev is a freelance writer from Chicago based in Salt Lake City. She writes about tech, moving, career building and finance. She enjoys travel, live music, and spending time in the great outdoors.