I’ve spent my entire life being the "quiet kid." In middle school and high school, I never spoke, never asked questions, and basically just tried to be as invisible as possible. Now, I’m back in an academic setting after years away (I’m studying computer science), and I made a promise to myself that I would be different this time. I want to be the student who is engaged and actually participates.
But honestly, now I’m scared I’ve overcorrected.
In my recent classes, I’ve been asking questions (on topic questions when prompted by the teacher, and I don’t always ask every time) and participating in class when the teacher asks us questions (I only answer if a few seconds pass and no one speaks up). I’m just trying to be the opposite of who I’ve always been, a student who NEVER spoke in class.
But now, I’m honestly spiraling because I’m so scared that I’m being "that annoying student" who takes up too much space or seems "too much." I don’t know if that’s my social anxiety trying to put me back in my shell, or maybe I sign that I am being annoying?
Does anyone else deal with this? How do you find the line between "engaged student" and "annoying"? I want to keep being active, but my anxiety is telling me to just go back to being invisible so I don’t risk being perceived poorly.
Any advice or perspective would be appreciated. 🙁