I tend to stay quiet in classes. Not because I am not listening or not paying attention to the material we are learning, but because I feel I do not have anything of value to contribute to the conversation. Over the past several years that I have been in school, this has caused some issues with teachers and professors. Some believe that to stay silent is to do a disservice to yourself because it proves that you are not an active part in discussions. I disagree.

We all learn differently, at different paces, in different ways. I find that I learn best by listening intently to what my fellow classmates and professors have to say. If I am made to make a comment that I feel is not worthy of interrupting class or taking away time from the material, why would I say it? I understand that, especially in college, participation points can end up being a large chunk of our grades. In some classes, I completely agree with this. For example, if you are in a small class setting, discussing yours as well as other classmates’ work, then by all means talking should be an important part of the class. But there are instances where I feel it totally unnecessary to force students to speak in regards to material that does not call for them to voice their feelings or opinions, especially if that feeling or opinion is shared by the other students in the class who have already spoken up. My opinions on topics do matter, and I am aware of that. If I feel the need to voice that, then I will. Simple. If I feel that it would be better to listen to someone who is able to articulate their feelings and opinions better than I am, then I will do that instead. Participation is important, but so is learning when to speak up and when do sit back and just absorb the information given.

Something important that I would like my teachers, professors, and TAs to know is that even if I stay quiet, I am listening to what you are saying. I am actively learning. I would much rather be a quiet student who may be forgotten about by the end of the semester, but at least I will know that I did the work and listened to the material being taught. There are students who feel the need to blurt out any answer that comes to their minds whenever they want, but I am not one of them. There is a time and place to act that way and I choose not to act that way in a classroom setting that does not call for it. I am just a quiet student, but that does not mean I am a bad student.