Please, does anyone else besides me having trouble speaking up? I am so shy....this hinders me so much in class. At the college level you can't just sit there and do well in class...you have to speak your MIND. I have a problem, I can remember book facts and restate facts...but not opinions, in my world there are only facts, no opinions...because I usually find fault with most opinions. In any event, how do you learn to speak up? I am so socially inept. Please help me...I don't know what is wrong with me....it's not that I'm shy...but my opinions are so different from everyone elses and it makes me so sad I usually drop classes because I leave the class crying every day because everyone else can speak up and give opinions....even answering questions is a problem. Help!

I used to be like that. Not that I'm not still, but after I went on Paxil, I had no problem speaking up in class. Before that, unless I really liked the class, I sat in the back and tried to hide.

However, if it came to partner work in a class with no one I know, I'd still clam up even now. I hate not knowing anyone and being forced to partner up with someone.

I'm right there with you. Especially in large groups of strangers. I simply never make myself known.

So far I've only done online classes. So I haven't really needed to speak up. But if I were ever to go to a traditional class, It'll probably have to be a small one and it will still take some time before I feel comfortable enough to talk.

Perhaps you should try some online classes. Usually they are just as high quality as traditional.

I'm like that too, even though I have gotten a lot better by just taking the plunge and saying 'eff it' and just speak. But, like you, I rarely speak about my opinions and just give facts and answers to the professor (which is easier to do). It's harder to give an opinion to a room full of people who may be judging you.


It might take some time working at it, but eventually you might be able to do it if you just swallow that fear (which is very hard, trust me).

Oh, and another little thing to remember--chances are, you're not going to see these people again (especially if the campus is huge). I mean, think of it this way...the kids you knew in high school...how many times do you run in to them on a regular basis? Probably not very often. I know I never run in to the kids I was so afraid of, the ones that would tease me for being shy or weird.

In the scheme of things, these people really don't even matter and I guess it's better to advance your grade in any way you can, even if it does mean taking risks and speaking up sometimes :)