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Can't talk in class
I don't know if this is the right category, but I am in university. I go to a small private university and a bunch of my classes have about 10 or so people in them.
Because of the small class size, there is a lot of professor-student interaction and questions and things.
I usually know the answer when the professor asks a question, or at least have a reasonable guess, but I never put my hand up. I hate speaking in a group of people.
Almost every time the prof calls on me, I start talking but the first few syllables are completely inaudible. I hate it, and I wish it wouldn't happen because I would like to be able to answer questions. I just end up looking stupid, especially in my French course when it is a pronunciation excercise....
It's not just in class though like any time in life when I need to talk in a situation I am not 100% comfortable in I can't get the first bit out in an audible manner.
Why? What can I do to fix it?
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What you need my friend is a little self-belief and confidence. Resolve to start doing it straight away. Take a deep breath, 'frame-up' your words in advance and deliver. Like an actor delivers his/her lines. Very soon it will stop being an act. A small and intimate class like you describe is a real plus. It's university education at it's best. Many students 'lost' in a large anonymous class would envy this intimacy. This is an opportunity. Use it. Don't worry, that confidence WILL come. It's part of what higher education brings out in people. Think about this. Your best ideas, your most challenging probing and questioning, your most pertinent theories. Your own 'new word'. None of them will ever see the light of day if you don't communicate them. Start next lecture.
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This is clearly anxiety. There is a couple of things that you can do. First, you can address the anxiety. Try figuring out what calms you. There are plenty of youtube videos offering calming music. You could also talk to someone. I've dealt with terrible anxiety. It wasn't until I addressed that, that I was able to deal with the problem you are describing above. If you feel that you can't make sounds when you are feeling nervous, like this, a speech pathologist can help! They are usually covered by insurance. Your university may even have contracted speech therapists. They also help people with these issues. I hope that this advice was helpful.
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hello this is Pamela Kaspar ,
i would like to help you
well as i understand you have a self confidence issues as i can see
have you ever try before you speak or answer a quest to be more relaxed i ll give you a small example to do :
just try to take a deep breath , while you are saying in your heart of course for not looking weird try to say nice stuff to you like (while you taking a deep breath ):
you know the answer , you can do it , you want look stupid this time, you are brave smart strong try it and do it in your house in front of a mirror
look into the the mirror right into your eyes and say :
i won t look stupid every time
i can do it
why should everyone be better than me
i ll better and stronger this time
and don t be afraid just raise your hand in the class and answer what could possible be bad in it
think about it why is so bad ?you may answer wrong ? it s okay you are there to learn . you may answer right you are not the teacher , the class may make fun off you ? who is better than you ? think about it and remember you are strong you can do it if you ever need help i ll be there text me
best regards
Pamela Kaspar
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Trust your ability and what you know first of all. You must believe in yourself, your point of view and that you are as smart as they are and what you ave to say is as valid.
Then when in class say your piece and know that it's just as important and talk and relay information in the same way you would when talking to a friend as it's no different. You just don't have confidence in yourself.
One of the things you ought to do is take an improvisation class at school, parks and rec etc. It forces you to work with others and problem solve and speak in front of others all the time. You would develop the confidence you need easily there or in any community theater group for young people.
Join student council at school because that also forces you to speak and share ideas with others constantly and it will build your confidence up as would any club you could join.
More or less to overcome speaking publicly and in class you just have to do it over and over don't worry about the words until you get comfortable and realize you can. Practice and just going for it will help you. That's the best thing. Even if you think you'll fall on your face it's okay for you will see you won't if you continue to try.
You also have to forget about what if scenarios and realize that your peer's reactions to you speaking really don't matter as long as you and your teacher see that you are learning and gets exactly the point you are making.
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