Imagine there is a discussion going on in the classroom. You have some valid points in mind. And you know that you can contribute to the discussion and even stand out from the rest of your classmates.
However, all you can hear is your heart pounding. As much as you want to speak up, your anxiety might be overwhelming and overpowering.
If this sounds like a situation you often find yourself in, this article is for you. Within this, we will suggest a few tips that you can try to conquer your anxiety and grab all the opportunities you get.
- Prepare for the Class
One thing that can instantly boost your confidence in class is to know that you have done your homework, literally and metaphorically. If you have been late in submitting an assignment or did not complete the required reading, that will hang over your head and be a constant worry.
Of course, this is easier said than done. Students’ lives are very complicated, and the demands of it can be overwhelming. What you can do is get some help, such as pay for papers on WritePaper.com to receive a sample on your assignment topic. This will help you save time and effort, and you can go to class knowing that you have completed all the tasks that were assigned to you. You will also be able to prepare some answers in your head so you will be able to be quick on your feet when there is a discussion in your class the next time.
- Acknowledge Your Fear
Another step to take is to figure out why you are unable to speak in a crowd. For some, this might be due to their inherent nature as an introvert, and for others, the cause would be rooted in anxiety. You need to understand and acknowledge this.
If not, you will not be able to take the necessary steps to overcome the fear. If possible, try to list out any reasons that could be causing the fear. For instance, you might be hesitant because you think you might get ridiculed in class, or it could be due to the fear of the particular professor. Once you are completely honest with yourself about the underlying factors, you can start addressing them in your own way.
- Put Thought into Your Appearance
How you feel about the way you like will also play an important role in your confidence. For example, if you woke up late and did not have enough time to dress properly, you might not want to draw attention to yourself.
So, we suggest that you consider how you appear for the class. Moreover, if you feel self-assured, then others will also start looking at you that way.
- Try Practicing
Practicing is the only way to become good at something that you want to do – and that applies in this case too. Of course, you cannot practice coming up with the right answers. But what you can do instead is to practice your public speaking skills, which are transferable to a discussion in a classroom.
Spend a few minutes every day talking out loud about topics you like in front of a mirror. As you gain more confidence, start speaking up among your friends or acquaintances. Eventually, you will find yourself having enough courage to speak in places with more people, and consequently, answering questions in class will not come across as so nightmarish.
- Understand That You Can Make Mistakes
Some of you might be hesitant to answer in class because you fear that what you say will be wrong. However, remember that, at the end of the day, we are all humans and make mistakes. Even those who are completely confident could be wrong with their answers in class.
The purpose of a class discussion is to promote engagement. Your professors will notice the fact that you contribute to the discussion rather than ridicule you for a wrong answer. In other words, there is no need to aim for perfection.
- Speak to Someone
Speaking to someone who can encourage you through your journey. If they do not face any problems speaking in public spaces, ask them for tips. Find out how they manage their fear or how they would act in your situation. You might even be surprised to know that they have their own fears and have worked through them to gain confidence.
You can even ask the person to listen to you speaking and get any valid points for improvement. A criticism coming from a friend would be helpful, as you can develop from these suggestions and practice your performance.
- Practice Leaving Your Comfort Zone
When your fear keeps you from trying new things or going after something you want, it can take away opportunities from you. If you want to change this cycle, then you will need to be intentional about your life.
To build courage, you will need to push yourself to step outside of your comfort zone. This means choosing scenarios where you might not usually find yourself. You can start with something simple, maybe to go out more or meet new people.
By starting small, you can get used to being more courageous. This will help you get to a point where you do not feel so conscious about trying new things.
- Work on Your Stress
Sometimes, students also experience fear of answering in class because they are too stressed or exhausted. There might be too many things worrying them, and they might not be paying sufficient attention to the class to speak up. If this is the case for you, then you should also look for ways to relieve stress.
This means taking care of yourself, physically and mentally. You should also look for ways for you to unwind and relax. Understandably, student life comes with worry. However, you shouldn’t let it affect your health.
After all, everyone needs a break now and then. If you feel overwhelmed o a point that it is preventing you from being your usual self, then you need to take a step back and consider what you need to do to improve your life.
- Celebrate Little Victories
Every small step needs to be acknowledged and rewarded, especially when you are trying something new. So, do not forget to congregate yourself when you attempt to speak up in class, despite being powerful. It is important to recognize the effort you took to overcome the fear.
Celebrating such small wins can encourage you to continue on the path. You can even make a note of the accomplishments so that you can take a look at them if you feel discouraged.
Finally, as the last tip, do not focus on any blunders that you might make when trying to speak up. While you should learn from mistakes, there is no need to be overly analytical.
If you make simple errors, remember that your classmates are not going to dwell on them.
Even they have their own worries and would be focused on that. Pay attention to the present and do not worry about what others would perceive. The idea of answering in class is not about impressing anyone but participating more and making the most of the classroom experiences.