Daunting Discussion

Since I'm not really interested in math and science lots of my classes are liberal arts based. I have lots of classes that involve discussion and require you to participate in order to get a good grade. I don't know how many people in high school take classes like this, but I know I didn't. Participation was encouraged, but ultimately optional. I've got a history class which isn't discussion based, but does have discussion days after we've read certain texts or books. Then there's a seminar class on ancient books like the Odyssey, Plato's Republic, the Quran and other texts like that. Then I have a sort of religious philosophy class that questions religion's role in western liberalism.

Anyway whether you are a liberal arts freak like me or whether you are totally of the science/math persuasion you're most likely going to have some discussion based classes. Point is, it's daunting, especially when there are upperclassmen in the class with you making actual logical arguments; it's hard to feel like what you say will make any sense. I feel like it takes me too long to muster up courage to say anything because by the time I do the discussion has changed direction. I mean I notice there are other freshmen in the classes who are obviously braver than me, and then there are other people who never speak.I guess I'm kind of in the middle but more on the quieter side.

I hope that by being in these classes I'll hear lots of good arguments from my peers, rather than just from the teacher, and at the same time learn to form good arguments and not be afraid to say em OUT LOUD and before the discussion changes subject. Yeah...I'm learning! 

Later....