So this semester I have been struggling to participate in a couple of my anthropology classes, and it is nothing new (especially in anthropology). For some reason, I just don’t care. Mostly because discussion of anthropology is one huge circle of ridiculousness and stupidity (but that’s another story). When I do have something to offer, I can’t get it out of my mouth or get too nervous to say it. I was starting to think I was just an awful student.
Then an amazing thing happened. I realized something about myself. I’m taking a photography class right now, and we have critiques every time a photo is due. Well guess what? I was never nervous to say anything in front of that class. I didn’t get nervous; I didn’t freeze up. My lips didn’t shake and neither did my legs. In my other classes whenever I present it takes me a few sentences before the nerves wear off, but not in photography. I get up there and talk like no one is watching.
Then, in my English class the other day, the professor called on me unexpectedly, and I sort of got away with an answer. Then (and I noticed that I have done this before) I answered two more questions throughout the rest of the class period. I was on a roll. Apparently, if a professor calls on me in the beginning of class, even if I was not prepared at all, I would prove myself during the rest of the discussion.
I just hope my grade isn’t altered too much by my horrendous participation marks. At least I learned something about myself this semester. I only talk when I feel confident enough in what I’m saying, and that sometimes I just take a little longer to think about my answers sometimes, but I’m not an awful student at all.
Well maybe I am awful since I’m writing this post instead of writing a paper. Oh well.