Being publicly wrong at seventeen is cheap tuition compared to being publicly wrong at thirty-seven.

The cost of being wrong in front of people climbs as you get older, because more is attached to you by then: a job, a reputation, people relying on your judgement. At seventeen the price is a few weeks of awkwardness among people who will forget. The lesson is identical and the bill is much smaller.

Take one small risk of being wrong this week. Answer in class when you are only fairly sure, or put a view into a group chat and let it be argued with. Notice how little the embarrassment weighs by Friday.