Day 1: It’s Okay to Be Nervous

 


A Teacher–Student Classroom Conversation

The classroom was unusually quiet that morning.

Some students were opening their books. Some were looking outside the window. A few were whispering softly. It was one of those days when everyone was present physically, but many minds were somewhere else.

The teacher walked in calmly, carrying a notebook and a gentle smile.

Teacher: Good morning, children.

Students (together): Good morning, teacher.

Teacher: Please sit down.

The teacher looked around the classroom slowly. Not in a strict way, not to catch mistakes—just observing. Faces. Eyes. Body language.

Teacher: Before we begin today’s lesson, I want to talk to you. Not about books. Not about exams. About you.

Some students straightened up. Some looked curious.

Teacher: Tell me honestly—how many of you felt nervous before coming to school today?

There was silence.

Then one hand went up. Then another. Slowly, many hands were raised.

The teacher nodded, not surprised.

Teacher: Thank you for being honest. Nervousness is not a bad thing. It means you care.

Rohan: Teacher, I feel nervous every day.

Teacher: Every day? Why, Rohan?

Rohan: I am afraid you might ask me a question… and I won’t know the answer.

The teacher smiled gently.

Teacher: That fear lives in many classrooms. You are not alone.

Anita: Teacher, I feel nervous because of English.

Teacher: English?

Anita: Yes. When I speak, my sentences break. My friends speak better than me.

The teacher walked closer to Anita’s desk.

Teacher: Anita, do you know what courage looks like?

Anita: (softly) No, teacher.

Teacher: Courage looks like speaking even when your voice shakes.

Anita looked down, but she smiled.

The teacher turned to the whole class.

Teacher: Children, let me ask you something.
Is anyone here born knowing everything?

Students: No, teacher.

Teacher: Then why do we expect ourselves to be perfect in school?

No one answered. The question stayed in the air.

Teacher: Nervousness comes when we think we must be perfect. But learning does not need perfection. It needs patience.

The teacher paused and then asked softly,

Teacher: Who wants to share what makes them nervous in school?

A small hand rose from the back.

Meena: Teacher, I feel nervous when I read aloud.

Teacher: Why, Meena?

Meena: I read slowly. Others laugh.

The classroom went quiet.

The teacher’s voice became firm, but kind.

Teacher: Laughing at someone who is trying is not strength. It is weakness.

Some students looked ashamed.

Teacher: Today, let us make a promise. In this classroom, we will not laugh at mistakes. We will learn from them.

Students (together): Yes, teacher.

Teacher: Good. Because this classroom must feel safe.

The teacher wrote something on the blackboard:

“I am learning. I don’t need to be perfect.”

Teacher: Read this line with me.

Students (together): I am learning. I don’t need to be perfect.

Teacher: Again.

Students: I am learning. I don’t need to be perfect.

The teacher smiled.

Teacher: Now let me tell you a small story.

The class leaned forward.

Teacher: When I was a student, I was also nervous. I was afraid to speak in class. One day, my teacher asked me to read. I made many mistakes. My hands were shaking.

Some students’ eyes widened.

Teacher: I thought I would never be confident. But my teacher said something I never forgot. She said, “Today you are nervous. One day, you will guide others.”

The teacher looked at the students.

Teacher: That is how life works. The things that scare you today will become your strength tomorrow—if you don’t run away from them.

Rahul: Teacher, but how do we stop feeling nervous?

Teacher: You don’t stop it completely, Rahul. You learn to walk with it.

The students listened carefully.

Teacher: Nervousness before speaking, before exams, before performing—it means you care. The problem starts when fear stops you from trying.

The teacher clapped once.

Teacher: Let’s do a small activity. No pressure.

The students straightened.

Teacher: I will ask some of you to speak one simple sentence. Any sentence. No one will laugh. Agreed?

Students: Agreed.

Teacher: Suresh, stand up.

Suresh stood up slowly.

Teacher: Tell us one thing you did yesterday.

Suresh: Yesterday… I helped my mother in the kitchen.

Teacher: That’s a wonderful sentence.

The teacher clapped. Others followed.

Suresh smiled widely and sat down.

Teacher: How did you feel, Suresh?

Suresh: Nervous… but happy.

Teacher: That happiness is confidence growing.

Teacher: Neha, your turn.

Neha: Teacher… I was scared, but now I want to try.

Teacher: That is progress already.

Neha: I like reading story books.

Teacher: Excellent.

Applause filled the room again.

The teacher looked around proudly.

Teacher: Children, do you see what is happening?

Amit: Teacher, we are not afraid now.

Teacher: Exactly. Fear becomes smaller when you face it together.

The bell rang softly, but the teacher raised a hand.

Teacher: One more important thing before we stop.

The room became silent again.

Teacher: From today, I don’t want you to ask, “What if I make a mistake?”
I want you to ask, “What if I don’t try at all?”

The students thought deeply.

Teacher: Not trying is the only real failure.

The teacher smiled warmly.

Teacher: Tomorrow, we will talk about why school is more than marks.
But today, remember this—

The teacher pointed to the board again.

It’s okay to be nervous. It’s not okay to give up.

Teacher: Say it once.

Students (together): It’s okay to be nervous. It’s not okay to give up.

Teacher: Very good.
Now open your books—but keep your courage open too.

The class began the lesson with lighter faces and calmer hearts.

Day 1 Takeaway

Nervousness is not your enemy.
Fear means you care.
Confidence begins the moment you try.


“Confidence doesn’t come before speaking—it comes after you try.”

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