There's no such thing as a dumb question - really?

Are you sure? There's no such thing as a dumb question?

It's nice to say, and sure, saying it might make some shy student in the back of the classroom feel better about asking a question. But now that we're well into a new semester, it must be evident that there obviously are, at least a few, dumb questions.

The classic example is on the first day of class when the professor pulls out the syllabus and goes through it with the class. There is inevitably one individual, who, for some reason or another, feels it necessary to interrupt that professor and ask questions about the course while the instructor is still going through the syllabus. Odds are, that if one asks, "How many exams are we going to have this semester?" the professor will reply "If you look on the next page of the syllabus, you will see that there are three," or something to that effect. Letting the professor finish going through the entire syllabus before asking questions would be the logical approach.

So let's stop beating around the bush here. In college, students are supposed to be thinking critically and questioning authority, opening up to new and different ideas. That doesn't always mean asking literal, vocal questions. But the majority of questions students are asking aren't the questions that are enabling them to truly learn and grow.

There are such things as stupid questions.

Perhaps the stupid questions on the first day of class aren't the biggest or brightest examples. They're certainly not the biggest problems facing society today, but perhaps a microcosm of something bigger. Just as a student's inability to understand a professor's ability to explain necessary details on the first day of class leads to stupid questions; one's inability to see the big picture in life often leads to short-sighted questions.

Sometimes, sitting back and actually observing what's going on can be more valuable than trying to change what's going on by asking questions to satisfy our own needs. The college experience constantly throws the "critical thinking" buzzwords at students. Critical thinking doesn't mean being critical of the world based on one's own personal opinions as much as it means being critical of one's self, based on the world's opinions. It is often much easier to be critical of a professor, a friend or a stranger based on one's own beliefs. The more difficult thing is looking at the world, finding inconsistencies in oneself, and adapting accordingly.

Why not let the professor talk, and ask questions later? Why not hear someone out before judging him/her according to stereotypes? Why not be willing to improve and be a better person?

Ask better questions and get better answers.