YouAlberta
By Freya
I raised my hand in class every day for the last two weeks of January. Normally, I’m a serially silent student camouflaged somewhere in the middle of the lecture hall. I live my academic life quietly, too shy to submit papers to the undergraduate journal or to approach potential supervisors for my Honours thesis despite its approaching due date.
This term, I decided it was time to live a little louder. The first time I raised my hand was during a three-hour-long seminar and I almost fainted, either from nerves or my morning coffee rush. However, by the end of my two week challenge, I got used to speaking up and even started to enjoy it. So for those of you who might want to take this challenge yourself, here’s what I learned about raising your hand in class:
It Keeps You Engaged
You know that sinking feeling when you jolt awake after daydreaming through 5, 10, 20 minutes of class? It’s hard to just sit and listen for long periods of time, so raising your hand to speak can be just the break your brain needs. Try listening to lectures with the goal of asking a question at the end — it’ll force you to pay close attention.
It’s Okay to Use Plain Language
My biggest fear when raising my hand is that I won’t be able to ask the question properly. You may forget the proper terminology, or the exact statistic you’re referencing. That’s normal — it’s why you’re asking the question! Try to speak in a way that is comfortable and respectful, and your prof will often be happy to fill in the gaps!
It Helps Clarify Your Understanding and Memory
A good way to start your question is by explaining your thought process: “This is what I understand about _____ but I’m still confused about _____.” Sometimes I’ve thought I understood the basics, only to be happily corrected before the exam. Concepts that you bring up in a class discussion, are the ones you’re most likely to remember come exam time.
It Helps Profs Get to Know Your Name
If you raise your hand consistently, your profs will likely come to remember you by face or name. This makes it easier to strike up a conversation when you bump into each other at The Daily Grind, or after class to follow up on your question. Profs may also connect you with cool events or projects related to the topics you’ve shown interest in. It’s also likely to help with you participation marks if the prof knows who you are.
You’ll Start a Trend
Once one person asks a question, lots of other hands go up too. In an ideal world, classrooms are places to share knowledge. I found myself building on other people’s questions and contributions to get to a whole new area of understanding. Maybe we’re all just waiting for a hero to break the ice. That hero could be you!