Back then, in secondary school, I wouldn’t ask a question unless I was 100 per cent sure that it was valid. In most cases, by the time I finally decided to ask my question, the teacher had moved on to another topic, and I even missed some of the teacher’s talk focusing on my question. But does asking questions in a place of learning have to be so difficult? If you’re too shy to ask questions in class, these tips might help you.
1. Don’t Be Afraid of Looking Stupid
Asking questions shows your engagement and interest in the topic and is proof of your curiosity, even if the question is very simple. Eventually, you have to start somewhere and by staying silent, you’ll never start.
Remember, asking questions indicates that you prioritise learning over fear, so it’s really a sign of strength.
Also, there is a good chance that your question is bugging another classmate. So, by asking your questions, not only do you get your answer and show off your curiosity, but you also help someone else.
“He who asks a question remains a fool for five minutes. He who does not ask remains a fool forever.”
— Chinese Proverb
2. Start Small By Speaking in Comfortable Settings
If it’s too much pressure for you to speak and ask questions in class, you can start with active participation in discussions and chitchats with your friends.
It’s a win-win situation; if you get laughed at or teased, it’s nothing to worry about since they’re your close friends; just enjoy the laugh. And if they like your questions or ideas, you’ll gradually gain the confidence to speak in less familiar situations.
3. Prepare in Advance
When you’re studying, you can write down your questions and try to look for the answer. If you got it, fine; if not, you can ask the question the next time you’re in the classroom. Of course, the internet and AI have made it easy to find an answer to most of your questions. Yet, they can’t give you the insights of an experienced teacher.
If a question arises in the middle of the class and you can’t ask it on the spot, write it down and wait for an opportunity to ask it (if it’s not already answered.)
When you write down the question, you will sound more articulate and confident when you ask it, and you can write down the answer. This is also an effective learning strategy.
4. Use Positive Visualisation
You can imagine yourself asking the question before you actually ask it. You can even mumble it if it’s possible. The important thing here is to make this visualisation positive. Imagine yourself speaking in a confident tone, with everyone else listening to you attentively.
This positive visualisation helps reduce anxiety by mentally rehearsing a successful outcome. To make this work 100 per cent, take a deep breath to calm your nerves.
You will thank yourself after you’ve asked your question, and regardless of the outcome, you will feel proud of yourself for the self-belief.
5. Focus on the Message, Not the Fear
Instead of wondering about how you will sound, focus on what you want to say or ask. By focusing on the message, you will be able to revise your question if the audience doesn’t make sense of it.
Additionally, focusing on the message prepares you to ask follow-up questions. This way if the answer to your question raises other questions, you’ll be ready to shoot them and resolve ambiguities.
6. Build Confidence Gradually
It will take a while until you can comfortably ask your questions, but you can speed things up by celebrating small wins. So next time a question pops into your mind, and you find the courage to ask it, give yourself a pat on the back just for getting over your fear and controlling your stress.
You can also keep a journal of your progress to remind yourself of the progress.
7. Use Stress Management Techniques
Another wise thing to do is to practise techniques that help you get rid of the stress and anxiety of speaking in public. Aside from the mental exercise I mentioned above, you can try some physical activity, like yoga or sports, to manage overall anxiety.
You can also practise mindfulness or relaxation techniques, like meditation or progressive muscle relaxation, to lower stress levels before class.
To Sum Up…
Even the most confident people can stumble over words when they want to speak in public. It’s not easy speaking while many pairs of eyes are set on your face. However, hopefully, with the tips in this post, you can get over your fear and start asking questions, even if it means making a fool of yourself. Remember, you have to start somewhere and when is better than when you’re still young.