To speak or not in class

[edatri]

I'm in a small class of 24 students. Often the instructor will ask a question and no one will volunteer to answer it. I often know the answer and I'm not afraid to speak out, but I don't want to seem like the "know-it-all" in class. However, I do want to make a good impression. I usually wait to see if anyone else is going to answer or if the instructor is going to randomly call on someone before raising my hand. Should I continue to volunteer answers and comments or should I just keep my mouth shut like everyone else?

[loriangel14, RN]

I wouldn't be afraid to speak up.One of the things we were evaluated on as student was class participation.

[Music in My Heart]

Wait a few seconds, glance around, and if nobody else is volunteering then go for it.

Who cares whether the other students think you're a brown-noser or a know-it-all... and what's wrong with knowing it all? Isn't that why we're there?

[sharpeimom]

At the University where my husband teaches, the students are told in orientation

that class participation is strictly optional, BUT that their grade will be lower without it.

They can get all "A" grades and without answering and contributing sometimes, their

grade will suffer. It's also right there on the syllabus.

Obviously if a student has a speech impediment or some other issue that makes her feel self

conscious about speaking in a group, he relaxes the rule.

He feels strongly that kids who participate learn much more, retain it longer, and are

better students.

[gatoraims RN]

My class is larger and there are few of us who answer questions. I know I learn better from answering questions and just don't care what others think. I am paying great money to learn this information and going to do what is best for me to learn. If I look like a "know it all" that is cool. I made friends with one other "know it all" and other students do come up to us when we are studying to ask us questions. I think that some are going to look at it negatively others will appreciate you answering.

[BlueEyedGuy]

If no one else going to talk, and you ask and answer questions, then you're getting a lot more out the lectures than everyone else. Personally, I always sit in the front and answer questions. If I don't sit in the front, all the people in my class on Facebook or Pinterest distract me from learning.

Seriously, Be the know-it-all! Impress your teachers, not your peers; they are the ones writing letters of recommendation for you.

Nerd up! Don't be ashamed, be proud of it. This is a professional school. Be vocal, be loud, and even if you're wrong, do it anyway, you'll learn more! Start developing that confidence, how are you ever going to put a doctor in their place if you can't even speak up in front of your peers.

edit: Think of those medical students, if not literally, then metaphorically 'down the hall'. Think of how these young doctor wannabees act, loud, boisterous, full of themselves... These are the people you are going to be dealing with out in the professional world. A good nurse is not meek, a good nurse has to be able to stand up and call out an overzealous first year resident when they're about to fry your patient's kidneys with too much gentamicin.

Healthcare is a tough world, especially for us nurses. We go out into practice with our BSN or ADN, and our peers (PT, OT, pharmacists, speech therapists, etc) all have master's degrees or higher. You better be confident, you'd better know you sh*t, or you're going to get eaten up. Nurse up, or go home!

[rubato, ASN, RN]

Answer as many questions as you can. Just don't ask questions all the time. That's the one that will annoy your classmates.

[Music in My Heart]

Answer as many questions as you can. Just don't ask questions all the time. That's the one that will annoy your classmates.

Who cares if you annoy your classmates?

It's the teacher that you need to impress; they're the one that you'll be hitting up for a reference letter, not your classmates.

Don't be a weenie about it but, by all means, interact with the teacher as much as possible.

This from somebody who went from a 2.8 student for one degree to a 4.0 student for the next two.

From the front-row, center seat...

[Stephalump]

Everything in moderation. Teachers appreciate interaction, but I've heard students being asked to tone it down if they are answering EVERY question or leading the lecture down rabbit trails with 5 dozen questions.

Don't be afraid to answer :)

[nursingstudent_tutor]

I totally agree with one of the other comments. Often you get graded for class participation. A lot of times, if I answered a questions when no one else would, the next time one more person would be willing to speak. Go for it!

[ChrisMarie09]

If you know the answer, speak up. Get your participation points.

[dayanara]

If you are certain about the answer don't be afraid to speak up. That shows the teacher that you have been studying and teachers appreciate dedicated students:-)