Here are a few pointers for improving your participation in class discussions:

• Familiarize yourself with the subject under discussion. Be sure to complete any reading or study assignments due that day.
• If someone makes a point that is unclear or different from your own understanding of the material, form a clear question or statement in your mind.
• Speak slowly and clearly. Your point or question does not have to be brilliant, but it does have to be relevant to the subject being discussed.
• When you have a point to make or question to ask, always speak up! Instructors welcome student participation, and it is frustrating to stay quiet and hear another student make your point.
• If you find that you are having a problem keeping up with the discussion, come to class with prepared questions or comments.
• A common student complaint is that "The discussion moved on to a different point before I had time to give my comment."
• You may always ask, politely, that the discussion return for a moment to a previous topic.
• If you have an important question and don't find the chance to ask it, bring or email your question to the instructor as soon as the class is over.