fear of public speaking

Category: Cram Session

Post 1 by Reyami (I've broken five thousand! any more awards going?) on Tuesday, 22-Jan-2008 6:49:47

I know this is one of the biggest fears of most people, but for someone who has a mild form of anxiety, such as myself, it's a nightmare.
I've been advised to tell my professor about immediately after class the first day, schedule an appointment with her, or even e-mail her before the first day, so she is aware of what has happened to me in the past just before delivering a speech. My only problem is this:
how do I tell her about this issue without making it sound like I'm trying to get out of doing the work, because that is not my intention. Do I e-mail her now, or have a one-on-one chat with her the first day?

Post 2 by Reyami (I've broken five thousand! any more awards going?) on Tuesday, 22-Jan-2008 6:51:02

Oh, and by the way, this is in the cram session board rather than the health and wellness section, because I've read that lots of students are scared to get up in front of their peers.

Post 3 by Big Pawed Bear (letting his paws be his guide.) on Tuesday, 22-Jan-2008 7:17:34

do it one to one, I would. an email does not say everything your body language, facial expression will.

Post 4 by motifated (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Tuesday, 22-Jan-2008 8:12:48

I agree with the last post. If you knew the person, an e-mail might be sufficient, however your prof might be able to give you tips to better help you cope with the anxiety you feel in such situations after observing you in-person. Good luck.

Lou

Post 5 by Reyami (I've broken five thousand! any more awards going?) on Tuesday, 22-Jan-2008 9:25:12

Thanks, I'll talk to her personally.

Post 6 by laced-unlaced (Account disabled) on Tuesday, 22-Jan-2008 11:27:47

good luck joanne, hope it works for you

Post 7 by wildebrew (We promised the world we'd tame it, what were we hoping for?) on Tuesday, 22-Jan-2008 12:16:44

I would proclaim my fear of public speaking to the world, but I'm too afraid to do so. *grin*
Seriously, have you tried public speaking classes? My friend took some and he got a lot better and more self confident (granted it was a USC Coastal, talking to red necks is always scary, lol).

Post 8 by Reyami (I've broken five thousand! any more awards going?) on Tuesday, 22-Jan-2008 14:20:27

I've taken public speaking as part of an english curriculum in high school, but never as its own class. This will be my first time in a class devoted solely to writing and delivering speeches.

Post 9 by motifated (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Tuesday, 22-Jan-2008 17:14:36

A few things that I think help: First, try not to think of talking to the entire group. Rather, think of talking to one person and really zero in in your mind's eye on that one person, and what you want to say. Also, try to communicate your ideas as if they were the ost important thing in the world to you. Yeah, its exhausting to do it that way, but it really helps in your effectiveness as a communicator. You write well, and I'm betting you just as articulate verbally, so I'm sure you'll do well in the class.

Lou

Post 10 by Reyami (I've broken five thousand! any more awards going?) on Tuesday, 22-Jan-2008 20:47:51

I clam up just trying to practice a speech in front of one person, even if it's someone I know.

Post 11 by purple penguin (Don't you hate it when someone answers their own questions? I do.) on Tuesday, 22-Jan-2008 23:32:47

Oh man i feel the same way. It used to be really bad and i still mess up if I'm in front of th eclass.

Post 12 by Reyami (I've broken five thousand! any more awards going?) on Sunday, 27-Jan-2008 9:07:54

Can someone just tell me how to word this? My ride shows up twenty-five minutes after class ends, and I really don't want to waste time.