Asking questions in class

Many students do not ask questions because they fear looking stupid. In practice, if you are confused, several others usually are too, and teachers often appreciate questions because they show you are engaged. Start small: ask after class or by email, then ask in a small group, then in the full class.

Prepare your question by writing it down. A simple form works: "Could you explain again how X leads to Y?" or "Is this the same as Z?" Psychologists call the belief that others are watching and judging you more than they are the spotlight effect, and studies by Thomas Gilovich and colleagues found people overestimate how much others notice them.