I was known as the “shy kid” my entire life. Speaking is definitely not one of my favorite things to do, and this made the social aspect of school a major struggle for me. If you grew up shy, you can definitely relate to these:
1. Hating when the teacher threatened to call on people if nobody spoke up
You were always praying that someone would speak up so there wouldn't be a chance that the teacher would call on you.
2. Always being told to speak louder when talking in class
This is already terrible enough. Please don't ask me to start all over and speak louder.
3 . Not wanting to cough in class because it drew too much attention
You basically feel like you are going to die because you have been holding in that cough for 5 minutes.
4. Absolutely hating presentations
Any time that I have to stand in the front of the room speaking is not my thing. Every eye in the room staring at me? No, thank you. I would rather crawl in a hole and never come out.
5. Making sure you have 5 extra pencils sharpened every day
Because getting up in front of the whole class to go sharpen your pencil was not something I ever wanted to do. Draw attention to myself? I think not.
6. Being looked at like some foreign alien when you did speak
When you said one thing, people looked at you shocked. Yes, I do have vocal chords; I just choose not to use them sometimes.
7. When a teacher said participation counts
If only teachers could understand that we are capable of knowing the information without speaking during class discussions. You definitely learn better as a listener.
8. Group projects were always a struggle
9. Mentally preparing yourself during attendance
I can't tell you how many times you repeat the word, "here" in your head, hoping you don't mess up.
10. Not going to the bathroom all day
You were too nervous to ask the teacher or to get up and walk out of the room in the middle of class. Either way, you would get too much attention.
11. Absolutely hating the phrase, "You need to get out of your shell"
There is nothing more annoying than hearing those words. You will do what you feel comfortable with. When the time is right, maybe you will start to talk more; being forced to speak will not help, but rather hinder your ability to talk with ease.
