I think pretty much everyone dislikes public speaking--some just dread it more than others and some just hide their jitters better.
I've never taken an actual speech class, but most of my college courses have required presentations as part of the "learning experience". Needless to say, the mere prospect of a "presentation" made my gut clinch up every time I thought of it. However, a long time ago, my Introduction to Business professor gave our class some excellent advice regarding public speaking. This advice has always stuck with me and really made me feel more confident speaking publicly, especially in a classroom setting where often your main concern is getting a solid grade on the presentation.
She said, basically, "Don't worry if you get up and you're nervous. Some students begin their presentations and they're shaking or their voice is cracking and they realize that everyone can tell that they're nervous. And they think 'Oh my God, everyone can tell I'm nervous. I don't look confident, I look like a fool, and I'm going to fail this'. It's okay to be nervous though, and almost everyone is. And let me tell you this: I'd rather see someone get up and be nervous and jittery and crackly-voiced than seem basically ambivalent to their presentation. At least I know the students who get up and ARE nervous actually CARE about how good of a job they are doing and are truly concerned with producing good work. I'd much rather see you be nervous than see an attitude of 'I could give a crap about this presentation... blah blah' because at least if you're nervous I know that you are trying hard, and that you care..."
That was THE best tip I was ever given for public speaking because I have a serious problem keeping my voice steady when I begin a presentation. When I would start speaking and my voice began betraying me with cracks and shakiness, I'd always think "Great, I'm blowing this..." But after hearing that professor put the situation into her point of view, I realized that she was totally correct. I'm nervous because I care about the quality of my work, because I want to do a good job... and that's nothing to be ashamed of!
And however shaky my voice has been for the first few minutes of a speech etc, I've received an "A" on a variety of presentations for different instructors. So there must be some truth to what she said.
Just remember: They expect that you'll be nervous to some extent. And pretty much everyone out there is just as nervous as you are when it's their turn at the podium
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