<p>I start school in a week and one day, and I'm pretty nervous. I will have no choice but to participate often in class and compliment my teachers often because I will need good recommendations.
I get straight A's, and I am not antisocial, but when it comes to participating in class, giving a presentation, or give compliments to teachers, I am very nervous. When I am nervous, I know that my classmates and teacher can sense it. Sometimes I choke on my saliva when I participate in class. Other times, I say the wrong word, or talk so fast that I repeat a syllable or two.</p>
<p>I think my problem is that I think way too much. I am self conscious - whenever a friend of mine asks me if I can ask our teacher a question for her, I am not nervous because I usually don't have any time to dwell on whether or not I'll embarrass myself.</p>
<p>This never happens when I'm with people I'm comfortable with. What should I do to overcome my problem? Thank you!</p>
<p>Practice? I think the more you speak in class, the more you’ll feel comfortable doing so. Sitting in the front of the classroom might help also, so that you can’t see other student really.</p>
<p>There’s no reason to be nervous. Half the class probably isn’t listening anyway.</p>
<p>When I was little I’d get incredibly nervous and anxious when I had to present something. My knees would start to shake and I swear I’d start twitching. No matter how much I’d prepare the night before, I’d always screw my presentation up anyway </p>
<p>Now that some time has passed, I still do get nervous, but the shaking and twitching has eased (thank GOD!). I’m pretty sure everyone’s been in your situation at least once or twice in their life. No biggie. Take it slow, don’t rush. That way you won’t choke on words (or your saliva ?!). Just breathe. If you mess up, chillll. The world won’t come to an end, and I find it helps if you learn to laugh at yourself. Nobody’s perfect! Being nervous is perfectly normal (: I’d be more worried for the ones who never seem get nervous! Those weirdos.</p>
<p>My teachers love me, just talk to them a bit after class and show you’re interested in what they teach (during class too).
As for participating in class, just realize that 1. half the people are texting, daydreaming, etc. 2. no one will think you’re weird, smart-ass, or whatever because people participate all the time.
I used to be nervous a lot, but whenever you have something to say just raise your hand before you start feeling self-conscious. Most people have that stage where they do have trouble speaking out loud, but it comes with time so don’t be afraid to participate and in time you’ll have no problem with participating!</p>
<p>I don’t participate, I run the class. My tests are used as answer keys, I destroy grading curves.</p>
<p>My teachers love me.</p>
<p>Having existential discussions in English, Political discussions in Gov and History, Further Chemistry and Physics discussion in Chemistry, and Math Proofs and Cool **** in math.</p>
<p>Hahaha @MIThopeful16…I do exactly as you do, except I’m like a ninja; they don’t even see me coming. I seem like a normal student not even paying attention then…BAAAMMM!</p>
<p>Depends on which teachers. I won’t participate if it’s Math (you can’t really participate in that class and the teacher doesn’t like it when people talk) and I want to understand the lesson or if the teacher is just a complete fool and enjoys goofing around. I only participate if the teacher creates a structured learning environment. I generally, though, participate a lot in classes after my 2nd period when I’ve broken out of my sleepy zombie-phase.</p>
<p>^I don’t have much time to spend on this website, but when I do I like to joke around. Don’t take anything I say serious.</p>
<p>Now to answer the question…</p>
<p>I participate in class when I need to, but I’m not a teacher’s pet. I do my work and study, and that’s what teachers like to see. Also, I’ve noticed that teachers like kids who are both respectful and quiet. Make your teacher’s job easier, and they will greatly appreciate it.</p>
<p>Depends on the subject…I’m most likely to participate in English, but I also get easily ****ed off when other people steer the topic to something common-sensical and not discussion-worthy (which happens more than one would think, even in an AP class…I’m sounding elitist aren’t I O_o).
Mostly I’ve had teachers like me because I put OCD-like effort into my work and try to personalize it whenever I can, especially projects. Though occasionally I’m that kid who asks stupid/minor assignment-related questions.</p>
<p>OP, I AM EXACTLY THE SAME
but i think almost all my teachers like me cause i’m like one of the few good students, and one i’m one, i’m pretty nice person to talk with</p>
<p>I absolutely HAAAAAAAATE presentations. I’m so introspective and always fear that others will judge me weirdly if I mess up. I know, that’s a bad thing to do and that you shouldn’t care what others think of you. But I can’t help it! >.<</p>
<p>I don’t have the problem for things like Spanish, since it’s just volunteering to give out the solution to a homework problem, but for things like English: WWWTTHHHHH. I formulate a response based on the teacher’s question, I ponder about it and whether or not it’s a good response, and then spend more time debating whether or not I should say it, and by the time I decide to say it someone else has already said my point (to which the teacher usually says, “Good point!” >_>) or we have moved on to something else. Times like that I just wanna die, as participation is a grade…</p>
<p>^ Oh my god, that’s exactly what I did today in Sociology. By the time I finally decided to say my point, it had already basically been said, so he was just like “Yeah” and moved on to the next topic. >.< What kills me is that sometimes he asks the whole class a question and everyone beats around the bush, and I think I know the answer but I’m too afraid to say it. Then he says it and I’m right, and it’s just like…ugh. Massive fail. Especially because participation is 20% of my grade in this class.</p>
<p>^^ lol I always did that in one of my classes last year. It was ToK, and i found the topic alot more personal/difficult than just english, so felt more self-conscious about my comments.</p>
<p>My advice would be to just bite the bullet and spit out what your thinking. If it doesn’t make sense, your teacher will just nod and pretend they understand, or ask you questions to clarify. Your classmates will think your brilliant, or won’t really pay attention.</p>
<p>I also find that I participate most when I’m a little loopy from sleep deprivation lol. I guess it helps in out-of-box thinking, and reducing self-consciousness. But I’ve asked some really good questions on minimal sleep…</p>
</p>