He's not going to get over it by hiding, though. The water's cold but there's only one way to get in it. He will be worse off in the business world when he graduates if he's still hiding from his fears. OP, bathe in the pain. It's not going to hurt you. Your classmates won't think anything less of you. If anything, they will be thinking to themselves how they can't imagine your bravery for not letting it stop you. The only way to get to the other side is to walk through the fire.