When I have to give a speech, I get really nervous a couple minutes before I have to go up. Before that, I tend to feel fine. I’m usually only a little nervous, but as soon as I sense that it’s almost time for me to go up, I get super nervous. My stomach feels like it’s churning, and I get this sense of dread. Once I’m finally up at the front, there are a few things that may happen to me. I used to start to shake, but that has slowly been going away the more times I’ve done presentations. What usually happens is I’ll start to speed up my speaking pace. I’m not aware of it right away, but a little while in I’ll realize I’m speaking way too fast. When I’m talking, I’m usually pretty focused and can get my information across fairly easily. The only thing that distracts me is the little voice in my head reminding me to look out at the audience. I used to be really bad about doing that, but it’s engrained into me now. …show more content…
This is my earliest memory of having to give a big graded speech. I was completely terrified. I was physically shaking severely, and I was speaking so quickly it’s a wonder anyone was able to understand me. This was one of the instances I had to force myself to look up from my notecards, as well. It ended up being a decent speech from what people told me, but I thought it had gone horribly due to my shaking and rapid pace. In sophomore year, we had to do another speech. This one was done with a group which I think helped my nerves quite a bit. If there are people speaking with me, I find that I don’t get nervous, shaky, or talk at the speed of light. It also wasn’t a super formal setting which helped me, as
As I get closer, my heart pumps faster and my hands begin to shake. I do not know why there are so many nerves acting up, it’s not like this is the first event I am performing in. On the other hand, many bull riders, steer wrestlers, etc. get nervous before performing. Slowly, the line moves. Dancer is getting anxious, making it difficult to keep him restless. Before I begin the run, I say a prayer for safety and a great performance.
One of the biggest fears I have had to overcome in high school is my fear of public speaking. I was always comfortable in the classroom; I loved discussing current events and explaining different biology and history to my friends, but I could not stand in front of them to give a presentation. Whenever I stood in front of my classmate speak, I would begin to shake so much that I could not read any notes I may have brought up with me. I was an absolute wreck and I hated that I could not overcome my phobia; however, my fear of public speaking is incredibly ironic because my sister teaches public speaking on a collegiate level. When I told my sister that I was horrified of standing up and speaking in front of my classmates, she was surprised. My sister told me that I could not let my fear stop me from speaking because I would likely never get over it. In addition, she
Ever since I was in middle school, people always told me that I’m quiet and shy. Having said that, I never felt comfortable communicating with people I didn't know that well. That also includes speaking or presenting in front of a class. According to my family and friends, I’m the complete opposite, because they claim that I’m talkative. Being shy and nervous did affect my schoolwork. I wouldn’t raise my hand in class that often, because I didn’t feel comfortable enough. When I was in 6th grade, my teacher would always call up students to share something they liked about a story they read. When the teacher called out my name, my heart started pounding, my hands were shaking and my mind went completely blank. I was so nervous to the point where I felt like I was going to pass out any moment. That’s when I asked the teacher if I could excuse myself to go to the bathroom. She didn’t mind that request so I tried to calm myself down by washing my face and breathing. After class, my teacher and I discussed my inability to present in front of a class. She was obliging, because she agreed to help me overcome being shy and to help boost my self-confidence. Shyness and nervousness also stopped me from participating in activities and obtaining opportunities. In 10th grade, my Chemistry teacher suggested a film festival, because she was aware that I loved filmmaking. At first, I considered the idea, because I’ve never done anything like it before. Having thought about it, I then realized that I was going to have my movie up on a full screen where
When I entered my first college class, I felt slightly nervous. When I sat down in my Oral Communications class at 8:00 AM, I was thinking “How did I get here. I did this?” and “Did I lock the door when I left?”. I also thought “Will I be able to keep up?” and “What did I get myself into”. I remember feeling the same way about high school transitioning from middle school, but later I felt more comfortable about being in high school and the same happened in college too. Oral Communications helped with me through
On occasion, the reason as to why I am silent, could be because I hadn’t completely understood the material. In order to fix this issue, reviewing the resources given would help gain confidence with answers. Along with the fact that talking in front of people can make me nervous, it is the thought of my peers that stresses me. Learning to care less about what other people think would assist in lowering how nervous I get when
I scored a 66 out of 120. I was not surprised about my score because I tend to get very nervous before speaking in front of an audience. I become extremely intense and I tend to speak faster than usual. Being aware that more people fear public speaking is calming but during the act of actually speaking, I do not think that would come to mind. When I speak in front audiences I constantly think about not making an error, and finishing up my speech. At my high school graduation I had to deliver the salutatorian address. Before going on stage I felt like I couldn’t breathe, I was panicking. When I actually got on stage I began to speak faster than I should have, although I got my message across. My speech would have been much better if only I had
Coming into speech class, I mentally and physically prepared myself for what was in store. I never really like giving speeches, especially impromptu speeches. Signing up for speech was hard for me to do because I absolutely did not want to take it and was considering not taking it in high school and wishing that I would never have to take it. My fears for COMM 101 was being judged. I am not really one to care about what people think about me, but something about public speaking gives me a fear that people will judge me if I stutter or not be able to complete a speech. I just wanted to do my best in this class and just breeze through this class and get it over with. Getting up in front of the class for my first speech, was petrifying for me
Some strengths that I use while giving a speech are the use of different pitches, the use of different volumes, the use of different facial expressions, and good posture. Some weaknesses that I have while giving a speech are the use of vocal fillers, the too fast of a rate at which I speak, the lack of eye contact, and the nervous movement from my body. I know that I have a lot to improve on when it comes time to get up and speak in front of others. However, I do feel that only after three speeches in my public speaking class, I have grown and become a better public speaker. Each speech that I have done, have gradually gotten better, but I do believe my dramatic reading speech was my
Blood pressure starts to rise. Your mouth dries out. Hands and knees tremble as your start to sweat. Nausea creeps in as you might begin feeling dizzy. Your mind seems to blank out and you have trouble remembering what is supposed to happen next. These are all symptoms of stage fright.
While reading the first assigned sections I now realize that public speaking is not seen as an easy task for many. According to the Speak With Courage textbook In the early 1970s, psychologists popularized the term “comfort zone.” For me public speaking is all about getting outside of my comfort zone and pushing myself to not only become better as a speaker but also more confident as a person. On multiple occasions right before it is my turn to speak in front of a large crowd I catch myself becoming extremely nervous and fidgety. After I finish speaking in front of the crowd I feel a huge sense of accomplishment. The Speak with courage textbook goes on to explain that students who fear the most will grow the most. I live with a sense of hope
I prepared well for the questions before attending the seminar, and I was very confident. However, I felt like my confidence went downhill just before the interview, as my mind began to think negatively. I felt anxious and nervous before the interview. I think my fellow team members noticed my anxiousness with the change of my
Hall-Flavin, Daniel K. "Fear of Public Speaking: How Can I Overcome It?" Mayo Clinic. N.p., 24 Mar. 2011. Web. 19 Jan. 2014. .
Throughout this semester in this this class, I have been faced with a tremendous amount of challenges, some that stumbled me, some that I in a way even conquered. This class has caused me many sleepless nights and a few nervous breakdowns. If I had to describe this class in two words, it would be an all around awkward struggle. Although, I’d have to say, I have seen such an enormous change in myself as well as my confidence throughout the duration of this semester. I have battled, conquered, and completely overcame things I never honestly knew I was able to. In my own opinion, I consider myself a better public speaker all around, both physically and mentally from where I have began. I find myself getting less and less nervous every time it
While waiting anxiously in front of my speech class, I counted twenty-six pairs of eyes staring at me as the professor took a long amount of time getting ready to critique my presentation. I inhabited sweaty palms, weak legs, a rapid-beating heart, and felt like I could not breathe. Even though my friends gave me great words of encouragement before my speech, I could start feeling the anxiety of speaking in front of all my classmates. My biggest fear has always been speaking in front of a crowd of people because I am afraid I will be judged of my opinions, my mind gets the best of me, and I do not want to disappoint anyone. My thoughts became blank when my professor announced that I could start my presentation. I looked around the room took