Public Speaking

You take a breath, inhale and exhale as you walk up to the front of the room to give the presentation you've been fretting over for a good chunk of time. As you approach the front of the audience to face your peers, a faint applause can be heard to encourage you to do the very best you can. Inhale and exhale and then your speech begins.

We all know how tough public speaking is, it's one of those things that is tough for anyone to do the first few times they get in front of people to speak. I know for me, I bounce back and fourth on my heels and grab my arms with my hands as a form of comfort to ground myself. It eases my anxiety whilst up in front of a large group of people, but also reflects to an audience that I'm not all that confident to be in front of so many people speaking. Now, it's not that I mind speaking in front of people; I'm extremely extraverted and enjoy social interaction. The idea of having to memorize something that I'm going to say and retain it to say it back to an audience of my peers without messing up is what freaks me out. It is the reason why I begin to say "um" and "uh" during a talk in order to fill what I can't remember, but this is all something that I'd like to work on for the future.

For every weakness I have within a speech, I also have my strengths. I keep eye contact very well with an audience as I'm not afraid to look people in the eye when I speak and enjoy the interaction I get to have with people during this time. I am very conversational, as well, when I'm in front of people. Being formulaic within a speech is just now my thing, I like to be myself and attempt to enjoy my time as much as I possibly can.

In an attempt to stop utilizing the mannerisms I use and verbal fillers that I tend to have within my speeches, I will practice my speech outline more than I did the last time so I know my information better than I did before. I'm definitely going to ask friends for help, especially those that are more blunt and won't hold back when I ask if they feel like I'm being too awkward at certain parts. Constructive criticism is always helpful.

Although public speaking isn't necessarily my forte, I'm not as stressed about it as I was the first time we had done it this year. I feel like I'll be more prepared this time and that I'll know what to expect when I step in front of the class.