PUBLIC SPEAKING NIGHTMARE

[lalex]

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So before college, I was very social. I'd yell out to all my teachers all the time. I was border line annoying. I could wing any presentation and do just fine.

Then college hit and I don't know what ****ing happened. Even if I did the entire project for my group and knew everything about it, I'd freak out. My voice starts shaking and I forget everything.

^If this **** is happening with a 2-3 minute part, I'm terrified for my 15 minute presentation in 2 weeks that I volunteered to go first with...

I don't know if anyone has similar issues, but any advice would be appreciated. Seriously.. I'm ****ed.

 

[HybridEarth]

If possible, go to the room you are going to present in before the presentation and do a practice run through of it. That usually helps people quite a bit. I did this a few times and it made me feel a lot more comfortable... To the point where I no longer had to practice before hand. Good luck

 

[restlessdriven]

Try practicing with a friend.

 

[Glandzburg]

New semester, same anxieties for @lalex . Every time you have asked for help with this stuff, people have told you to go see your school's counseling center; this is literally what they are there for. Have you done that yet?

 

[lalex]

New semester, same anxieties for @lalex . Every time you have asked for help with this stuff, people have told you to go see your school's counseling center; this is literally what they are there for. Have you done that yet?

Really? I don't remember people telling me that. Yes, 2 years ago and it sucks/is underfunded.

I don't think that'll help me in 2 weeks though.

 

[Mwooster]

So before college, I was very social.

I was border line annoying.

Still kinda am 😉 haha

Seriously though, give the counseling center another shot. Many of my friends went through something similar and going through this and hours of practice did help!

 

[lalex]

Still kinda am 😉 haha

Seriously though, give the counseling center another shot. Many of my friends went through something similar and going through this and hours of practice did help!

lol I was... I don't know what happened. This weird speech anxiety started the summer before college..

I don't think that'll help. I've had 3 lines before that I've ****ed up. I don't know. FML. I might just drop the class and hope my school accepts another class next quarter so I can graduate.

 

[IsWhat]

Public speaking can be tough, but it becomes easier when you realize everyone in the audience have busy lives and are probably not even listening to you anyways.

 

[Glandzburg]

Really? I don't remember people telling me that. Yes, 2 years ago and it sucks/is underfunded.

I don't think that'll help me in 2 weeks though.

So you think us random keyboard warriors will be of more help than people whose job it is to help students with these issues?

 

[lalex]

So you think us random keyboard warriors will be of more help than people whose job it is to help students with these issues?

Even if I wanted to go back, I wouldn't be able to. Long waiting list and I already used all the sessions I'm allowed.

 

[Lannister]

I kinda have the same story as you but in reverse, hated public speaking in HS and now love it. What helped me is: Don't over-practice. If you practice your presentation too many times, you're going to end up memorizing it. Then you'll get up there and when you inevitably forget something you've memorized, you'll freeze up. I usually practice each presentation twice and no more.

 

[TBV]

Much easier after you realize nobody gives a flying f*ck what you are talking about

 

[williameb23]

Public speaking always and only gets better with practice. Go watch some TED talks on psyching yourself out in confidence. Invite a couple friends (or your dog) over and recite famous speeches, focusing on articulating, breathing, etc. If that isn't working for you, I have a few friends that actually went and got a prescription for propranolol (Inderal) and pop a 20 mg tablet 1 hr before a big presentation. Evidently a lot of musicians and politicians use this to help calm their nerves and clear their head before performing/speaking.

That being said, realize that it's all in your head. Once you understand that everyone is much more interested in what you have to say than how you're saying it, you can move past whatever mental barriers you're raising. Everybody struggles/thinks about public speaking to an extent.

 

[oOKawaiiOo]

I'm in the same boat as you. Public speaking makes me jittery and I would stutter a lot because of nervousness.

Practicing my presentation and KEEPING it simple helped me. I had to do a presentation in front of the WHOLE chemistry department and school. Also, a water bottle of with diluted, clear EtOH helped too.

 

[ac62994]

I pretend I'm the hottest, smartest person in the room.

Fake it 'til you make it.

 

[haaaaaaaaaaveyoumetted]

lol I was... I don't know what happened. This weird speech anxiety started the summer before college..

I don't think that'll help. I've had 3 lines before that I've ****ed up. I don't know. FML. I might just drop the class and hope my school accepts another class next quarter so I can graduate.

I have had issues with social anxiety as well, and believe me the answer is not to drop a class because there is a presentation. What has helped me is to know the material (not necessarily memorize the wording, but be able to explain each point multiple ways) so that I am confident that if my mom asked me to explain it to her, I could. Additionally, look at the tops of people's heads instead of their eyes. Eyes freak me out...

Also, as stated, remember that most of the people in the room are not judging you, probably don't care much, and the point is for you to talk about the subject in a meaningful way. Don't let anxiety ABOUT anxiety be your downfall (ie realizing you're sweating and then dwelling on it)

 

[lalex]

Thanks guys, I will try to keep everything in mind. I think I can't plan a script, I just have to know what I'm going to say very well.

Just found out I have to present for my lab meetings as well. I will definitely be getting over my public speaking fear lol.

 

[ROSC]

After a few drinks, I'm exponentially better at public speaking affairs.

 

[Goro]

Do you have any friends in the room? if so, look directly at them.
If none, try directly looking at the teacher.

You have to remember that you're talking to your peer. They are no better or worse than you.

For the long term, try taking some Speech, Debate, Acting or Drama classes. Try out for the debate team, if there is one.

Go seek out your school's counseling center if nothing else works.

So before college, I was very social. I'd yell out to all my teachers all the time. I was border line annoying. I could wing any presentation and do just fine.

Then college hit and I don't know what ****ing happened. Even if I did the entire project for my group and knew everything about it, I'd freak out. My voice starts shaking and I forget everything.

^If this **** is happening with a 2-3 minute part, I'm terrified for my 15 minute presentation in 2 weeks that I volunteered to go first with...

I don't know if anyone has similar issues, but any advice would be appreciated. Seriously.. I'm ****ed.