How To Beat Camera Shyness When Attending Online Classes
These days, traditional classroom learning isn’t the norm. Due to the pandemic, most colleges and universities have shifted to hybrid learning, where students attend a few classes in person and then they complete the rest of their coursework online. While online learning can be advantageous for a variety of reasons, one major roadblock for students, especially the camera shy ones, is engaging with professors and peers with the camera on.
If you’re camera shy, and you dread the thought of turning on the camera while you attend online classes, you’re not alone. Even the most outgoing students are anxious when they see their faces in the tiny square boxes on video conferencing platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Classrooms.
Worry not! In this article, you can learn how to get over your camera anxieties and participate in online classes effectively.
Acknowledge It’s Okay To Be Camera Shy
The first step in addressing your anxiety is realizing that it’s normal to feel this way. Millions of people out there feel just like you do. Even the most famous movie stars and TV hosts have encountered camera shyness at some point. So, if you’re looking to overcome this shyness, the first step is to accept it—never fear it.
Practice In Front Of The Camera
While this may sound cliché, practice does indeed make perfect. The best way to overcome your shyness is to practice in front of the camera. Turn on the camera app on your laptop and see how you feel. Record a few sentences that you’re likely to use in class. Pretend you’re greeting your professor, asking questions, etc. Doing so will help you improve your posture, pace of speaking, and pronunciation. As you practice more and more, you’ll gain more confidence and build courage.
Have A Script
If you’re required to present a report or paper online, having a script will help you deliver the presentation confidently and without fumbling. Write down all the critical points. Doing this will make it easier for you to remember what you have to say. It’s also a good idea to rehearse the presentation by recording yourself before class. Doing so will boost your confidence while you speak on camera, and you’ll know what to say when it’s time to actually present.
Wear The Right Clothes
If you want to be more confident when learning online, start by wearing clothes that’ll help you feel smart and comfortable. Another hack is to wear clothes that bring back good memories. For example, if you have a blouse that you feel is your lucky blouse, wearing it may give you a dash of extra confidence. When choosing apparel for your online classes, make sure your clothes are comfortable. Business casual attire is an excellent choice for online classes; these clothes will have you looking presentable, yet you won’t feel stuffy.
Flaunt A Big Smile
Smiling can help you calm down. Smile confidently at the camera, even if you’re not feeling confident inside. Smiling will help you relax and look natural. Other relaxation techniques include taking a few deep breaths before class and repeating positive affirmations to yourself before switching on the camera.
Despite these strategies, there still may be days when you aren’t feeling yourself. During these days, you can reach out to our team and ask, “Can you take my online class?” We’ll connect you with the best online class takers, and they’ll attend your classes for you so you earn A’s and B’s easily. Reach out to our team to hire class help online.
