I used to hate being called upon in class mainly because I didn't like others to notice me. And1the teacher assigned (指定) me a seat, I always chose to sit at the back of the classroom.
All this 2after I joined a sports team. It began when a teacher3I should try out for the basketball team. At first I thought it was a crazy4. Because I didn't have a good sense of balance, and I didn't have the 5to keep up with the others on the team and they would laugh at me. But because the teacher kept 6 my" going for it", I decided to give a try.
Getting up the courage to go to tryouts was only the half of it! When I first started 7 the practice courses, I didn't even know the rules of the game. Sometimes I took a shot at the 8direction — which made me feel really stupid and I'd get confused (迷惑的). 9, I wasn't the only one "new" at the game. So I decided to focus on learning the game, do my best at each practice session.
I practised and practised. Soon I 10 the rules and the moves. Being part of a team was fun and easy. Very soon, I got confidence from11several competitive matches. With time, I learned how to play and made friends—friends who respected my12to work hard and be a team player. I never had so much fun!
With more self-confidence comes more praise from teachers and classmates. I have gone from "13" in the back of the classroom and not wanting to draw attention, 14raising my hand—even when I sometimes wasn't and not 100 percent 15I had the right answer. Now I have more self-confidence in myself.
