Anxiety about appearing idiotic is what stops lots of students of color from sharing their thoughts in the lecture hall. I know for a time it prevented me from asking the professor questions, sharing my viewpoint, or doing whatever might possibly force me to speak out.
To be able to develop the confidence to speak up in the classroom, I started out taking tiny actions. My initial step was to be comfortable with hearing my voice in a noiseless classroom. Whenever the teacher mumbled his words or was unclear in his thoughts, I would raise my hand and ask, "Can you say that again?" This does not require a lot of forethought nor does it enable someone else to contest or question your stance. It's merely the universal, "I didn't hear what the instructor said, and I need explanation."
My next move was to respond to the queries the lecturer asked inside my head. While a different student was answering, I would reply to the query on my own, and sometimes note down my opinions. When different college students held an opinion identical to mine or made a point I possibly could add to, I would raise my hand and share my thoughts. Adding to the students who had just laid the structure to introduce my comments helped me become confident enough to chime in and share my opinion in the classroom.
With this process, I began not having any problems with voicing my thoughts in the lecture hall. I began voicing my thoughts and opinions on a consistent basis and was not afraid to provide a unique point of view from the consensus, as I regularly did.
This extensive process was worthwhile. After being able to speak in courses with so many individuals from distinct backgrounds, speaking publicly got to be quite simple. For anyone who is scared of talking in your classes, start off by getting accustomed to just talking in the lecture hall. Afterward, go on to sharing your views. You'll find your self-esteem raises each and every time you do.
To be able to develop the confidence to speak up in the classroom, I started out taking tiny actions. My initial step was to be comfortable with hearing my voice in a noiseless classroom. Whenever the teacher mumbled his words or was unclear in his thoughts, I would raise my hand and ask, "Can you say that again?" This does not require a lot of forethought nor does it enable someone else to contest or question your stance. It's merely the universal, "I didn't hear what the instructor said, and I need explanation."
My next move was to respond to the queries the lecturer asked inside my head. While a different student was answering, I would reply to the query on my own, and sometimes note down my opinions. When different college students held an opinion identical to mine or made a point I possibly could add to, I would raise my hand and share my thoughts. Adding to the students who had just laid the structure to introduce my comments helped me become confident enough to chime in and share my opinion in the classroom.
With this process, I began not having any problems with voicing my thoughts in the lecture hall. I began voicing my thoughts and opinions on a consistent basis and was not afraid to provide a unique point of view from the consensus, as I regularly did.
This extensive process was worthwhile. After being able to speak in courses with so many individuals from distinct backgrounds, speaking publicly got to be quite simple. For anyone who is scared of talking in your classes, start off by getting accustomed to just talking in the lecture hall. Afterward, go on to sharing your views. You'll find your self-esteem raises each and every time you do.
About the Author:
Are you a college professor? Learn what it's like to navigate college as an African-American student by checking out the book The Only Black Student at the above link.
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