Do you ever want to ask a question in class, but second-guess yourself?
This is the reality for many students at CSUDH, including myself. When clarification is necessary, the fear of saying the “wrong thing” takes top priority.
Although CSUDH offers a substantial number of courses, for me, speaking up in class has often felt more embarrassing than rewarding. The fear of making a mistake seems to trigger an “error” phobia among our student body.
We sit in our seats and hide behind screens, fearful that an incorrect answer or a “silly” question will invite judgment. This silence becomes contagious. One person chooses not to speak, and suddenly the whole room follows the leader.
Whether this phenomenon stems from feeling like an imposter or believing that others will tease us, reinforcing this social norm is unhealthy. Students should feel free to state their opinions and ask for further guidance.
After all, we are paying tuition to learn—not to sit in silence pretending we already know everything. College is supposed to be a training ground for the unknown, and that is OK. We are allowed to have messy, half-cooked ideas, yet we treat the classroom like a courtroom.
My take? Confronting this issue matters, especially for those of us who share the same anxiety. While I participate in class, I overthink my responses, which leads me to stay silent. Sadly, after class, my brain feels more like a deflated balloon than a trophy.
Yet, I am not alone in this feeling. Let’s turn that shared frustration into fuel for real change, and remember that our shared humanity often connects us through common struggles.
If collective anxiety is the problem, the blueprint for recovery starts with creating a safe space for each other. Take the time to hear someone’s thoughts; they might change your own. Having a growth mindset is better than having a fixed one.
This allows active learning to blossom and human connection to increase simultaneously, creating a better environment for us Toros and making the journey to success a whole lot better.
For me, the shift started as an occasional victory, then became a habit. I forced myself to raise my hand just once a week—even when my hands couldn’t stop shaking from my nerves. I realized the professor didn’t scoff, and my peers didn’t laugh. That tiny spark of validation was a game changer for me.
That is when I noticed I wasn’t the only one holding my breath; the person next to me was waiting for someone else to break the ice, too.
I’ve found that when I let my guard down by participating in class discussions, I perform better in my courses. I carry this mindset into my social life, too, giving me the opportunity to make connections. These experiences help me make memories while learning lessons that make my time at CSUDH worthwhile.