What should I do if I am too nervous to ask a professor a question?
Write your question down briefly and try asking after class or by email. You can also begin with, “This may be a basic question.” Another option is to ask a friend or an available student-support service to practice with you. If the course instructions specify how to ask questions, follow those instructions.
Key points
- Prepare the question as one short sentence or in a brief note.
- Choose a calmer opportunity, such as after class, or use email.
- Ask a friend or a student-support service to help you practice.
Things to check
- The available ways to ask questions and the presence of support services vary by university, faculty, and course, so check the course information and official sources.