When My Ego Turned the Classroom Into a Battlefield

Last week, in our cozy university library, I found myself in a heated debate with my classmate, Jamie. I was so sure I knew more about environmental policies that I barely let Jamie finish a sentence. My words came out sharp, my tone clipped, and my chin tilted just a bit too high. Suddenly, Jamie went silent, her eyes narrowing. I realized I’d made her feel small, not heard. My stomach twisted with guilt and confusion—why did I need to prove I was right? I blurted, "Maybe I wasn’t clear enough—what do you think?" Jamie sighed, finally opening up about her own research. We both sat there, emotions raw, realizing how easy it is to slip into condescension. How do you stop yourself from making others feel less than? Can we really learn to listen before we speak? Let’s figure this out together! 😅🤦‍♂️🔥 #ActiveListening #Humility #Education #PersonalGrowth