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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.
In an effort to acquire the confidence to speak out in the lecture hall, I started off taking very small actions. My starting point was to become accustomed to hearing my own voice in a silent classroom. When the instructor garbled his words or was unclear in his thoughts, I would raise my hand and ask, "Can you say that over?" This didn't call for any forethought nor will it enable another person to contest or negate your issue. It's simply the standard, "I didn't understand exactly what the teacher said, and I'd like some clarification."
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 approach, I began build the confidence for speaking in the classroom. I started voicing my thoughts and opinions frequently and was not afraid to provide a different opinion from the consensus, as was usually the case.
This rather long process was well worth it. After learning to talk openly in classes with hundreds of people from various backgrounds, public speaking got to be quite simple. If you happen to be scared of voicing your opinion in university classrooms, begin by getting accustomed to solely talking in the classroom. Then, continue on to expressing your viewpoints. You'll witness your own self-confidence improves each time you do.
In an effort to acquire the confidence to speak out in the lecture hall, I started off taking very small actions. My starting point was to become accustomed to hearing my own voice in a silent classroom. When the instructor garbled his words or was unclear in his thoughts, I would raise my hand and ask, "Can you say that over?" This didn't call for any forethought nor will it enable another person to contest or negate your issue. It's simply the standard, "I didn't understand exactly what the teacher said, and I'd like some clarification."
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 approach, I began build the confidence for speaking in the classroom. I started voicing my thoughts and opinions frequently and was not afraid to provide a different opinion from the consensus, as was usually the case.
This rather long process was well worth it. After learning to talk openly in classes with hundreds of people from various backgrounds, public speaking got to be quite simple. If you happen to be scared of voicing your opinion in university classrooms, begin by getting accustomed to solely talking in the classroom. Then, continue on to expressing your viewpoints. You'll witness your own self-confidence improves each 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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