Oral Presentation!

boopchick · Sep 17, 2003

Thanks for all of the support and suggestions everyone! I'm scheduled to do this on October 27th and I'm trying VERY hard not to let myself freak out about it. I chickened out on signing up for the earliest date. I'm right in the middle.

:::::sigh:::::I will get through this!

:uhoh3:

boopchick · Nov 1, 2003

Well, my oral presentation was monday. I prepared and practiced it until I felt very comfortable. (or so I thought) I got up and introduced myself then started having a SERIOUS panic attack. I knew I was nervous but...OMG! I kept pushing myself to continue even though my heart was going at about 200 bpm and I was having trouble breathing. Let me tell you that 'fight or flight' response was telling me to get my a$$ out of that room... and fast! It took all of my self control not to excuse myself and run. Unfortunately I am not exaggerating. It was truly horrible. The only plus is that it's over. Sheesh..is this normal or do I need anti-anxiety medication???

nurse2be in ny · Nov 1, 2003

Congrats on making it through! You did it! :)

Vsummer1 · Nov 1, 2003

Aren't you so relieved it is OVER! I hated those things too. But, looking back at least I didn't freak out and start crying like I have seen others do...

I don't have a problem speaking up in class though, from my chair. Only standing in front of the group freaks me out. Go figure.

B.T.H · Nov 2, 2003

I just did an oral presentation in English on John Singer Sargent. I had everything prepared and didn't even need notes because I knew the information pretty well. well once I got up in front of that class I forgot everything I was going to say. Lost track of where I was in the presentation and got the pictures for the presentation all mixed up. My throat got really dry and basically I screwed up the presentation. I have to honestly say that up to this point, the oral presentation was the hardest thing I have had to do since deciding to become a nurse. The bad part is we have to do one more before the end of the semester.

AUGHHHHHH!!!!! B.T.H

mitchsmom · Nov 2, 2003

I am a total bumbling idiot when I try to speak to a group, too. The "knowing your stuff" doesn't always work for me either because I sometimes lose my mind and forget everything, even things that I could do a dissertation on, literally. Something that has helped me a *little* bit is that I lead a small support group that is very very casual and consists of mostly friends of mine. We leaders speak from our chairs. I also used to be a teacher and I could do that ok, I guess since I knew that I wasn't "presenting" to adults (although it was high school). I would probably have felt more comfortable doing a speech during that time since I was "practiced" from being in front of the kids - I had a chance to be comfortable enough to actually think about my material and the way it came across. The longer periods I have of NOT doing it, the worse it gets and the more often I have to do it, the more comfortable it is.

At the moment, I would like to offer to speak about my support group health issue in one of my nursing classes, but I don't know if I will because I'm so petrified of messing it all up, even though I feel strongly about the issue and I bring a lot of knowledge. Why do we let ourselves get so freaked out about it???!!!! Like, does anyone even *care*, do *we* care when someone else is up there?! So frustrating. Anyway, I'm with you... glad you got through it even though it didn't go the way you would have liked.

boopchick · Nov 2, 2003

Thank you so much for sharing. I was always a really shy kid growing up but I've actually improved quite a bit over the years. This oral presentation ordeal brought it all crashing back though. It's just good to know that I'm not alone. A couple of people told me I did fine but I think they were just being nice. :)

I am SO glad it's over!

S.N. Visit, BSN, RN · Nov 3, 2003

I know the feeling all too well! I just gave my final speech today in speech class, and boy am I glad it's over I'm actually glad that I took the speech class first. I have learned some skills and won't be quite as nervous if and when, I have to give speeches in my future classes. I think most people are frightened to death when they are being critiqued, so no it's not uncommon to want to run out of the room as fast as you can. :eek:

Sorry you didn't have a positive feeling about your presentation. Just keep practicing, and you'll get better :)