How to Participate in Class

Preparing for Class

Develop a relationship with your teacher. Make a point to introduce yourself to your teacher before class starts. This is a great way to make a good impression. Introducing yourself is especially important if you are in a large class, such as a lecture with hundreds of other students, as your teacher may never even learn your name otherwise. It shows your teacher that you care about the class and are willing to put in the effort. If you are in a high school class, see your teacher outside of class hours. Meet to discuss any issues or challenges you are having, or simply to discuss something in particular that piqued your interest. If you are in a college course, visit your teacher during their office hours. Ask questions, raise concerns, or bring work that is in progress to get your teacher’s feedback.

Do your homework. This is one of the most important steps. You will not be prepared to speak in class if you have not done the assignments beforehand. Many teachers will use the assigned reading as the basis for the next day’s discussion, so be sure to stay on top of all reading and assignments.

Prepare what you will say before the class starts. While doing your homework, make note of anything that confuses or intrigues you. Write down questions or comments in your notebook for the next class session. Consider what you are learning in the context of the entire unit and year. If you are learning about military strategies in WWII, relate it to WWI strategies that you learned about earlier in the year. You could say “it’s interesting that the machine gun was developed during WWI but it really helped turn the tide during WWII.” Relate what you have read to real-world issues or decisions. You could ask “did you know that after Melville’s White Jacket was published Congress banned flogging in the Navy?”

Learn your teacher's “style.” If you take the time to learn how your teacher manages the class, you will be more prepared to participate. Some teachers, especially in more objective subjects and classes, will simply ask for answers. Others will ask for opinions or interpretations, and some will do both. If you know that your teacher generally asks questions from the lecture notes from the day before, take good notes. If your teacher asks for opinions, think about where you stand in relation to the issues you have read or learned about. Do you agree or disagree, and why?

Staying Engaged During Class

Ensure you’re ready for class. Make sure your basic needs have been met before class starts. If you haven’t eaten anything in hours, your hunger will likely be a distraction. Make sure you are dressed appropriately and have eaten and used the restroom before class. Bring a water bottle or other beverage and wear layers in case you become uncomfortable.

Pay attention. Try not to daydream or stare out the windows. Don’t let your neighbors be a distraction, either. Refrain from looking at your phone or texting while in class. If you use a computer, be sure to stay on task; don’t use the time to surf the web or check your social media.

Participate with your body language. Give the class and teacher your honest, undivided attention. Look at the teacher, or student, who is speaking. Make eye contact and nod when you agree or understand what is being said.

Speaking Up During Class

Relax. If you’re a bundle of nerves, you may find it hard to speak up. Take a few deep breaths before you raise your hand to speak. Remind yourself that you are prepared and that you have something important to say or ask. Sure, all eyes may be on you, but only for a minute or two. More likely than not, other students will think you are brave and smart for participating. EXPERT TIP Alicia Oglesby Alicia Oglesby Professional School Counselor Alicia Oglesby is a Professional School Counselor and the Director of School and College Counseling at Bishop McNamara High School outside of Washington DC. With over ten years of experience in counseling, Alicia specializes in academic advising, social-emotional skills, and career counseling. Alicia holds a BS in Psychology from Howard University and a Master’s in Clinical Counseling and Applied Psychology from Chestnut Hill College. She also studied Race and Mental Health at Virginia Tech. Alicia holds Professional School Counseling Certifications in both Washington DC and Pennsylvania. She has created a college counseling program in its entirety and developed five programs focused on application workshops, parent information workshops, essay writing collaborative, peer-reviewed application activities, and financial aid literacy events. Alicia Oglesby Alicia Oglesby Professional School Counselor Push yourself to participate in class. It’s understandably hard for shy students to speak up in class, but try and find ways to boost your participation. Let your teacher know privately if you're struggling to speak up in class. You can also wait to ask questions one-on-one after class.

Speak clearly. When you have something to say, speak as clearly and concisely as possible. Don’t mumble or look at the floor while you are talking. Address the teacher (or student) directly. Don’t be cocky or condescending, just be confident.

Answer questions posed by your teacher. Don’t be afraid to give an incorrect answer or an unpopular opinion. Your teacher will likely approve of the effort you are putting in, even if what you say is not exactly what they were looking for.

Answer questions posed by other students. You may be able to explain the concept differently than your teacher, which could be helpful to other students. This will also show the teacher that you're paying attention, which they will appreciate.

Ask questions. If something is confusing to you, ask about it. This pertains to questions you may have written down while doing your homework as well as to material that is new to that day’s class. Other students are likely wondering the same thing you are, and the teacher will be glad to take a few minutes to clarify an issue.

Give your opinion. Don’t be afraid to respectfully disagree with a student, the author of what you’ve read, or even your teacher. Don’t insult anyone, even in a debate, but don’t feel like to have to agree with everyone either. If you disagree, say something along the lines of “I can see why you feel that way, but in my opinion…” or “from my point of view…”

Find a balance. Don’t try to answer every question or give an opinion on every topic. At the same time, don’t think that answering one question the entire semester or year is going to cut it. Aim to speak up once or twice per class session. However, don’t just speak to speak. Make sure you have something relevant to say.