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Class Participation

So at parents evening I had EVERY teacher talk about how I never participate/talk/volunteer in class. Ok, I'm not the most confident guy and I really cannot change this easily, and now I have teachers lowering my grades because of this even though I did OK in most of my latest tests. **** that. Is it really that ******* important? I can't get A's because I'm the introvert.

Anybody like me still got good grades? Am I bound to fail if I keep my mouth shut?

Reply 1

anotheregostar

I got all As and I'm pretty sure I never said anything in most of my classes :smile:

you'll do fine.

Reply 2

username219321

I'm not sure what to say really apart from remember they can't lower your grades in the real exams, and perhaps make a complaint to someone higher up? Some people prefer working alone and you shouldn't have your grades lowered/ be forced to work with other people.

Reply 3

Davott

Although you should never have your grades lowered because of your behavior during class, I personally feel it is important to develop yourself by taking yourself out of your comfort zone. If this is by putting your hand up and answering a question then try it and whatever happens you will be a stronger person for it. Often, employers look for these extra teamwork, leadership, communication skills that simply develop through the use of activities during class.

I am fully aware you and many others feel more comfortable when just sitting there and learning but another point is that the brain often learns better by actively participating and thinking hard about what to say and what to do. It will be a slow process but getting involved should have more benefits in the long run.

If you neeed any help or advice, you know where to find me and many other on TSR.

Reply 4

TWF

I'm not sure whose at fault here, I do English lit and Politics, which are very much 'feedback' subjects (my other two not much so, Economics and Maths) so basically I haven't ONCE put my hand up in any subject and I'm getting slated for it... I look in each class and I'm the mute while everyone else is super cool, funny and confident. I have SA, I've had 'experiences' I can't help it.

I'm starting to think Sixth Form isn't for me. I should just read a book and sit exams. Maybe I can better myself later..

Reply 5

HighSkies

Its not totally fair but at the same time you should try to participate in class. I'm a quiet and shy person yet I still make myself put my hand up in all my classes or yell out the answer (whichever is more fitting for the class :p:

.)In fact, in my latin class I'm the only student so I have to answer every question the teacher asks! Its not that bad really, maybe you should start trying with questions you definately know the answer for a move out from there. If you're capable of getting A's I'd imagine you know the answers to the questions most of the time anyway. :smile:

And what grades are they lowering btw? Is it work grades in reports or your predicted grades?

Reply 6

Kinsula

They're only criticising you about that because they have nothing else to say. If you're otherwise fine academically, regardless of this, ignore it and just prove them wrong in the final exams. Mid-term 'teacher assessed' grades don't mean squat.

Reply 7

username219321

TWF

I used to be really shy (maybe not SA though) and I found that contributing more in my lessons in college was one of the things that helped me re-build confidence and overcome it.

Reply 8

TheatreLovely

Yes, I have the same situation on every single parents evening, but the only grades my teachers have ever lowered are the ones on my report, never for tests/pieces of work. I am starting to say more in class now, it's just getting used to it.

Reply 9

Leto

Bleh. The real exams aren't spoken so I wouldn't worry about it. :smile:

Reply 10

Kuriso

I get this every single time :sigh:

mainly because they have nothing else to say, unless you start need to start talking halfway through an exam it should have no impact on predicted grades. The only thing I can think of that it could have an impact on is references for UCAS/Jobs etc so you might want to think about contributing more even if it's only for that.

Reply 11

Adamn

I've had the same feedback for the past 7 years, haven't changed a bit :smile:

. I still manage As and Bs in all my subjects, I even got the highest mark out of 9 of us in the German orals, despite speaking the least in lessons. People like us can't help being introverts :P But being an introvert doesn't really prevent you from getting good grades, as long as you concentrate on what is said by other people in lessons, I think. :smile:

It's just who you are.

Reply 12

squareroot1764

I've always got these sort of comments but I still got mostly As, I wouldn't worry about it too much if your grades aren't suffering. But recently I've started participating more and it does make you more confident, so I wouldn't say not to try to participate more in class.

Reply 13

EffieFlowers

Im the same. :] I hardly ever participate in class, but i suppose teachers have just accepted it now, a lot of kids in my year don't participate either. It has nothing to do with your grades what so ever.

Reply 14

*Star*Guitar*

TWF

Davott

I agree totally with what Davott says.

You'll get away with it during your A-levels, but if you go to University, your University grades are partly marked by presentations, and you will be expected to participate in tutorials or leave.
And as Davott says, these skills are then looked for in employees.

You'd be better off getting into the habit of contributing to discussions or asking questions about things posed to you.

Reply 15

TWF

*Star*Guitar*

I'm well aware of that, hopefully as I mature I can become more confident? I don't think I can do it now unless I get some serious pshycological treatment, I can't really change it over 24 hours, a week or even months, its quite servere because it doesn't only happen in class but it stems outside of class like socialising.

HighSkies

And what grades are they lowering btw? Is it work grades in reports or your predicted grades?

Reports, and predicted grades. Most teachers just say they aren't getting enough feedback and clues from me. I have my mocks to prove myself in though :rolleyes:

Reply 16

Tefhel

I've barely ever put my hand up in class since I first began school. Am totally used to them asking me to participate now, truth is I just don't care about the subjects enough to ask any questions, and if other people know the answers I just let them answer. If I think it's an answer that only I know then I will say it though.

Reply 17

HighSkies

TWF

Reports, and predicted grades. Most teachers just say they aren't getting enough feedback and clues from me. I have my mocks to prove myself in though :rolleyes:

Oh, predicted grades are of course the important bit so its not good if it affects them... I suppose mocks are the only way to go in your situation then because as you say, its not something which changes in a day. Often in psychology lessons I do what Tefhel does and only answer if no one else answers. That could be a start. Even now my heart always starts to go really really fast too when I answer a question (Its so embarassing!) but I always feel better afterwards when I've answered the question. Its taken me a year of pushing myself outside of my comfort zone and still I'm somewhat hopeless in social situations and so nervous when doing presentations but its helped a lot. I thought along the same lines as you originally, that is, I'll mature at uni and it'll be alright. However, if you don't actively try to help yourself it won't get any better at uni. I'm not being patronising because I know what its like and how difficult it is. Its just that being pro active about it does help. :smile:

Reply 18

username219321

TWF

Trust me on this - nothing will happen if you just wait for it to happen. Don't make excuses - to make a change you need to take action, you won't just wake up one day "changed". Yes it will take time but it'll only happen if you make it happen.