Is Being Silent Really Worth Fitting In?

What is the capital of Florida?
What is osmosis?
Will you come to the board and solve problem number two?

These were some of the questions hurled at me by teachers when I was in school, and I hated being asked. Don’t get me wrong: I knew the answers. I just didn’t know how to squash my fear of speaking up in class.

I suppose I was afraid of tripping over my own two feet as I walked toward the board or appearing like a ‘know-it-all’ in front of my classmates. I was afraid of standing out from the rest of the students when all I wanted was to blend in. But if fitting in socially meant keeping quiet while some boy in my class droned on about a topic he clearly didn’t understand or someone else taking credit for the answer I shared with them during lunch, did I really want to just sit back and listen? No! I wanted credit for my answers, and I wanted to share my opinions. So I started raising my hand.

Little by little, all of the encouraging words from my parents, teachers, and friends slowly began to sink in, and I began participating more in class. I realized I was a smart person who had insightful things to say, and instead of keeping silent when I had an idea, I said what I thought and faced the consequences. And most of those consequences turned out to be good!

Speaking up actually made me more popular—though not exactly in the Gossip Girl sense. There were kids in my class who snickered when I spoke, but I soon learned those weren’t the kind of friends I really wanted. Instead, I hung out with other people like me who participated in Spelling Bees, science fairs, and academic bowls. I fit in just fine with other teens who enjoyed reading, playing volleyball, and going to movies, and once I discovered the place where I truly fit, I was so much happier.

I suppose some kids might consider me a ‘nerd’; however, I’m not the kind of ‘nerd’ who gets pushed around. Because I’m not afraid to speak my mind, I get respect from my classmates. My fearlessness helps me march to the beat of my own drum, kind of like Harper and Alex from Wizards of Waverly Place, except I don’t wear dresses made from markers or pasta and, well, I’m not a wizard.

Speaking up is hard, but it provides you with a confidence that leaves you feeling good about yourself. Plus, it helps you learn that your real friends are the people who accept you for who you are, not for pretending to be someone you’re not. At the end of the day, speaking up is about expressing your true self, believing your voice deserves to be heard, and not allowing others to push you into the background. That doesn’t sound at all like a nerd to me.

Is Being Silent Really Worth Fitting In?

Nadia Anguiano

About the Author

Nadia Anguiano

Is Being Silent Really Worth Fitting In? Nadia Anguiano What is the capital of Florida? What is osmosis? Will you come to the board and solve problem number two? These were some of the questions hurled at me by teachers when I was in school, and I hated being asked. Don’t get me wrong: I knew the answers. I just didn’t know how to squash my fear of speaking up in class. I suppose I was afraid of tripping over my own two feet as I walked toward the board or appearing like a ‘know-it-all’ in front of my classmates. I was afraid of standing out from the rest of the students when all I wanted was to blend in. But if fitting in socially meant keeping quiet while some boy in my class droned on about a topic he clearly didn’t understand or someone else taking credit for the answer I shared with them during lunch, did I really want to just sit back and listen? No! I wanted credit for my answers, and I wanted to share my opinions. So I started raising my hand. Little by little, all of the encouraging words from my parents, teachers, and friends slowly began to sink in, and I began participating more in class. I realized I was a smart person who had insightful things to say, and instead of keeping silent when I had an idea, I said what I thought and faced the consequences. And most of those consequences turned out to be good! Speaking up actually made me more popular—though not exactly in the Gossip Girl sense. There were kids in my class who snickered when I spoke, but I soon learned those weren’t the kind of friends I really wanted. Instead, I hung out with other people like me who participated in Spelling Bees, science fairs, and academic bowls. I fit in just fine with other teens who enjoyed reading, playing volleyball, and going to movies, and once I discovered the place where I truly fit, I was so much happier. I suppose some kids might consider me a ‘nerd’; however, I’m not the kind of ‘nerd’ who gets pushed around. Because I’m not afraid to speak my mind, I get respect from my classmates. My fearlessness helps me march to the beat of my own drum, kind of like Harper and Alex from Wizards of Waverly Place, except I don’t wear dresses made from markers or pasta and, well, I’m not a wizard. Speaking up is hard, but it provides you with a confidence that leaves you feeling good about yourself. Plus, it helps you learn that your real friends are the people who accept you for who you are, not for pretending to be someone you’re not. At the end of the day, speaking up is about expressing your true self, believing your voice deserves to be heard, and not allowing others to push you into the background. That doesn’t sound at all like a nerd to me. Image © Ron Chapple Studios \| Dreamstime.com <strong> © <a href='http://www.dreamstime.com/Iofoto_info'>Ron Chapple Studios</a> \| <a href='http://www.dreamstime.com/'>Dreamstime.com</a></strong>
About the Author Nadia Anguiano Nadia Anguiano graduated with a B.A. in English Literature from Florida State University; a M.A. in English Literature from the University of Exeter; and an M.Res. in Women’s Studies from Lancaster University. She is a freelance writer whose work tends to focus on feminist issues.