<p>I'm in AP english, i hate having the need to always force myself speak in front of the class, especially during in-class discussion time.... because my AP teacher forces me to, all the time. But i'm not a quiet person, i like talking to people and small groups, but when it comes to speaking in front larger groups or whole class, i hate it. Is that what college mostly like? Maybe just in smaller colleges? If i have an opinion on something, i just dont feel like having the need to express to people, whatever.</p>
<p>****I heard that large college classes are most likely to be held in a lecture format, with a professor or teaching assistant (often referred to as a TA) speaking while students take notes and occasionally ask questions (I really love that type of learning much better). Small college classes are more likely to follow a discussion format, where students are given a platform to express and share ideas with one another.</p>
<p>Large college classes can be especially advantageous for shy or withdrawn students who would prefer that class participation not be taken into consideration for grades, as it often is in smaller classes.</p>
<p>Small college classes, on the other hand, offer plenty of opportunities for class discussion, which is ideal for students eager to interact with their classmates and professors.</p>
<p>I got my info here: is it true??
(College Classes: What is the "Ideal" Size?)</p>
<p>I mean, i engage and listen in class discussions, and just talk once and awhile, but i feel everyone in my class knows so much more than me and i don't wanna say something stupid, so i just let other people talk and argue, and learn from there.</p>
<p>If you don’t share any thoughts, what’s the point of having them? I’m incredibly introverted and get a little scared every time I raise my hand, but fact of the matter is it needs to be done! I do think there’s more emphasis on it in college. Obviously the big lecture halls won’t focus on it too much, but I’ve never heard of a school where every class is 100+ students so it’ll be relevent no matter where you go.</p>
<p>Applying to large colleges only will not eliminate the need for you to speak up and participate in class. Even though freshman and/or intro classes may feature a professor lecturing in a large hall, there is also likely to be a smaller discussion group (usually led by a grad student) that meets once weekly. And when you get to upper level classes, the class sizes will be much smaller even at big universities.</p>
<p>While this may be true for most large and small schools, one article certainly doesn’t speak for all. I suggest investigating the schools you’re looking into applying for, and what majors require which type of interaction. I’m applying for all music schools, so obviously I’ll be interacting quite a lot, but for other majors, one may be able to study as an individual much more often. I also know that one of my top choice schools has “seminar based liberal arts classes,” which I totally dig, but may not be right for you. Read up on that kind of thing in regard to each individual school. If you have any interest in local schools, ask if you may sit in on a class related to your major(s) of interest. See how the students interact, if at all. </p>
<p>Also, don’t be afraid to branch out a little! I know it’s hard; I’m usually very shy around people I don’t know (& even some sets of classmates), but once you familiarize yourself with a discussion-based environment, it can be intellectually fulfilling and even quite fun.</p>
<p>I know it’s tough, but you really need to learn to speak up. Keeping your opinions to yourself will be a big hurdle to tackle once you’re out in the real world. The great thing about discussion-based seminar classes in the humanities is that you’re rarely ever wrong. Sure, people may not agree with you, but it’s not like raising your hand in math class to volunteer the wrong answer.</p>
<p>This is exactly how I felt before (not necessarily class discussions though). However, if you start by doing that, you will NEVER get out of that habit. Someone will ALWAYS be saying something you didn’t know, but that doesn’t mean that you couldn’t be saying something intelligent. Get over it.</p>
<p>How I’d frame this issue is that the OP is wanting to remain in a stage of learning that is primarily that of being “spoon fed” the information, passively taking notes, having a few original ideas, but keeping them primarily to himself.</p>
<p>However, college and higher education as a whole has and continues to move away from the model of teaching where the students are simply passive note takers. It isn’t to say that professors should never lecture or that students must always speak in class… but the OP should be aware that college is going to demand quite a bit more out of him or her than sitting quietly at a desk and writing the occasional brilliant paper.</p>
<p>If you want to go to a big school, great. If you want to pick a major that sits in your comfort zone, fine. But if you really want to expand as a person, have a lot more options available to yourself, and move away from passive learning or the hermit in the library mode of learning–be ready to try some new things.</p>