A shy one... Options

[baconstrips]

I have always been a shy type of person, especially in class. Every year teachers always come up to me and say that academically I am doing fine, but my in class participation is low. I feel shy asking teachers questions, and asking for help. One time, our teacher blamed the whole class that none of us were participating or asking questions, so I asked a question, just to make him feel better. He then got pissed at me because he said "I just spent the past 10 minutes explaining that to you." and did not answer my question.
I think because of this, I dont feel confident enough to ask teachers questions without making a fool out of myself.
Do any of you have tips on how to boost my confidence level in class?

[Gigi]

That teacher who got pissed at you is just being an a-hole. Don't let that affect you...he's a teacher, it's his job to make sure you understand. He's not supposed to be impatient with you.

Hmm, I don't know what kind of tips I can give you. If there are questions about things you don't understand, and you don't feel like asking the teacher, try your friends out. They'll probably help you.

As for class participation...I don't know what you can do to make yourself more confident, but when saying something, always enunciate and speak loudly enough so that the person can hear you. If they ask you to repeat yourself, you might become more embarassed and discouraged. Speak like you mean it. Imagine having a heated argument with someone about something that you're really passionate about, and integrate that into how you speak.

Don't know if that helped at all...