Jan,

I feel that way a lot too. I watched this show the other night on TED Talk that I felt helped ... http://blog.ted.com/2012/10/01/10-ex...ur-confidence/

She talks about power posing, and how even when we do power poses it boots our confidence, same as when we make ourselves small physically.. and we feel small. She also talks a lot about stuff you just addressed in your post about your class, actually quite similar. I think you would relate to her a lot. Give it a watch and see what you think. There is a lot of info and help you can find about this kind of thing. I am trying to work on it myself right now too.

My bf made me practice power poses at the mall the other day, and I was feeling pretty down. Ya I felt really silly, but he made me take up a lot of space with my body and act confidant, but you know, I did feel better and more confidant after, funny how something so simple can work. Not only that it is how others see you too, and sometimes like in your class it does matter. So maybe this could help.

Good luck!