A
female
age
30-35,
anonymous
writes:I get really nervous when I have to speak out in front of the class and because I've started new courses I've got to do alot of presentations. I'm 17 and go to college. I enjoy the courses I have taken but I HATE doing presentations or even having to speak out in front of the class. I always have ever since I was little and would dread going into school if I even thought that I would have to speak out. I have a lisp which obviously doesnt help. When I'm in front of the class I feel like I want to go curl up in a corner and die and my hearts beating that fast I think you can see it (obviously you cant) but when I'm up there my heart starts to race and I feel like I cant catch my breath and then I feel myself go really hot and panicky and by then I have to speak and when it comes to talking theres a lump in my throat, so I try and calm down and I think I'm alright then I begin to talk and it sounds like I'm going to cry. I know people will say the more you do it the easier it will become but in this case it wont because I used to force myself to do it and its got worse. That bad that if I know I have a presentation coming up I'm sick everyday up until the day of the presentation. It's horrible and I feel like I'm going to fail my course if I dont become confident. I really need some advice and I have tried the deep breathing and taking a pointer up with me so you dont see me shaking and drinking water but it just doesnt work. Someone mentioned a panick attack, could that be it?I would be really grateful with any advice or suggestion x Reply to this Question
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reader, anonymous, writes (17 September 2010): Reading your post made me feel like I was reading something I had myself written. On the bright side, you're just 16 or 17...im 25!! And I still cant BEAR the thought of public speaking. I dont agree with what people say about the more you do it, the better it becomes,because I know for a fact it doesnt happen.
Before a presentation I have the MOST awful things going on in my head..it comes upto the point when I cant even sleep the night before. But I guess if I didnt think about it so much, then it wouldn't be so bad. Also, ask yourself, whats the worse that could happen? Believe me, nobody fails their course because of a presentation.At the most, you'l get a B(+) instead of an A(-). But it wont get any worse. Stop fearing that you'll fail, becoz u wouldn't. Thats out of question.
Try speaking slowly, and practice your text many times. Tell yourself that you're not the only one, there are many others out there who feel the exact same way. Hope things get fine for you...All my best wishes..
A
female
reader, kirra07  +, writes (17 September 2010):
Well, I've definitely been there, at least somewhat. I'm shy and hate presentations, and start to stutter a little when I'm up there.
You're right, practice really is what improves it. But you can start small. Just talking to small groups of people, or even one other person more often can help, as long as these are people that you maybe don't know too well, or might be a little nervous talking to. So start conversations with your classmates, or go up and ask your teacher questions, which you might not do right now. Just the act of talking when you're a bit nervous, will help that nervous feelings be less and less.
Also, try speaking out in class more often. Answering questions or asking questions. Yes, it can be nervewracking, but it's a little better than presentations because you're sitting down amongst everyone, and don't have everyone's eyes on you. It's the next step to getting more comfortable talking.
For your presentation, practice it over and over and over. Even if you'll be scared when the time comes to do it in front of the class, at least with repetition all the info is there. And try to practice beforehand in front of family or friends.
I'm shy too, but I'm really making an effort right now to be like those people that speak out in class and are always the first to volunteer in class. It's not easy, and I feel nervous, but it gets better as it goes. Just try to remember that these people are all sort of similar to you, and that you have valid points and questions and ideas that can contribute.
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