A guide for participating in class when you have nothing good to say

I can only imagine the trauma held by professors from semesters of teaching blank squares with names over Zoom. Now, after a few years of full participation being possible again, it can amount to huge percentages of your grade. This theoretically means doing the assigned reading, the bane of every student’s existence. I saw a study that said 87% of all college undergraduates don’t do the readings. I didn’t actually read the article and made that percentage up, but the point stands. So, how can you participate when you know nothing? It’s easy.

Strategic nodding and eye contact: As long as it looks like you’re always ready to talk, you basically talked. The bar is six feet underground at this point, so just seeming interested and being awake can go a long way.

Piggybacking: The piggyback method is a Socratic seminar-structured class classic. Wait until someone else speaks, say, “Just to piggyback off that…” and vaguely rephrase whatever they said. An alternative version of this is just saying you were going to say what everyone already said, but that’s a little elementary. Be sure to compliment your peers on their great points. 

Ask a question: Maybe you are confused, or maybe you just made something up. Either way, your hand was raised, and you participated. Careful, though, you might accidentally learn something.

Personal story: Just say some tangentially-related story or event from your own life and hope no one asks any follow-up questions. The unique perspective will be appreciated … maybe. 

Avoid technology: Taking notes on paper makes you seem far more interested and involved in class than hiding behind a computer screen. Unfortunately, this means you can’t watch sports highlights, play JavaScript Snake or shop using your parents’ credit cards, which are all fundamental rights protected by the Constitution, but it will help your grade in the long run. 

Now, the best idea would be to pay attention in class, do your homework and show up ready to participate, but that’s gross. Just speak confidently, and you’ll be fine. If not, 15% of your grade isn’t that much anyway.