There is an elusive disease circulating throughout all of Pinewood. This plague is not predisposed to one person, one group, or even one class; it could strike us all. The grades of many students are at risk due to this voluntary epidemic, yet it is not a battle, but surrender. The cause of this illness has been discovered: students not raising their hands.

   The epicenter of this mass infection can be found in the classroom. One side effect, inner trepidation, is dissuading students from participating. 

   “Judgment hinders my participation because I am scared of saying the wrong thing,” senior Rose Xu said. “Even if I know the answer or have something to say.” 

   In reality, this fear is widespread and completely valid. Director of Upper Campus Counseling Stephanie Fugita explained that social anxiety often hinders students participation. Social anxiety also contributes to students not raising their hands in class. In addition, students are less likely to raise their hands in classes they are not as confident in. This is the case for more outspoken students like sophomore Lucas Guan. 

   “I express myself decently in every class, though I’m way more likely to express my opinion in a class that I have genuine interest in like chemistry or math,” Guan said. 

   There are many benefits to raising your hand and sophomore Claire Wu has been reaping the benefits. 

   “I think participating is really fun because you get to ask more questions and it helps me understand the topic better,” Wu said. 

   Raising your hand and asking questions can also help as it personalizes your learning needs by addressing them in class. I have seen my friends not participate or pay attention during a class and then not understand or engage with the material after. Not participating or advocating for yourself in class can result in poor performance and remove all learning opportunities. Nevertheless, this disease can be fought. Why succumb to an infection you have not been diagnosed with?