Speech class jitters!!!!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jul 18, 2005

I'm with you on that. I hateed, hated, hated, hated, speech with a passion. I was so nervous each and every time I got up there. Thank goodness the instructor didn't take off on nerves and gave me an A. She said "of all the students in the class you were the one who never got any less nervous." To this day I hate talking in a group.

It's just something you are going to have to do. Good luck to you. I understand but don't have any tips for you because I sucked at giving speeches. :)

Megs7617 · Jul 18, 2005

i had to take public speaking when i was working on my bachelors...I too was a bit nervous, but i dont think i was quite as nervous as you seem to be! I remember just telling myself that I had to do it, and that people in my audience werent being critical towards me because they would have to be the one up front talking at some point. And honestly, I never thought anything bad about the speakers, because I knew they were as nervous as I was probably. I would like to be able to say that your audience might even be daysreaming while you're speaking, but in my class we had to give comments and feedback on everyone's speeches, so I guess everyone was paying attention to me, but I told myself that they werent anyway. I think everyone feels bad for everyone in public speaking classes, because most people are nervous about public speaking, and everyone knows it. Im sure youll do fine. I wouldnt recommend imagining everyone in their underwear..I tried that and it made me loose concentration and mess up my speech. lol

good luck, believe me itll be over before you know it!

Momto3andNurse2B · Jul 18, 2005

I took speech two semesters ago and I was very nervous. I was also in a class where I graduated from high school the year most of the other students were born, which didn't help, LOL. The biggest thing for me was being prepared. I practiced each speech until I could get through it backward, forward, and start from any point in the speech. If you really know your speech, it helps. I can't say I was necessarily any less nervous, but since I knew my speech so well no one noticed as much. Also, if you start out concentrating on making eye contact with a few people who seem most attentive it can help. And, try to get your audience involved. Ask a question or tell a story that gets their interest. If they're interested in what you have to say, you'll be less nervous. (I know, it sounds like I'm paraphrasing right from the speech textbook, but it really does help. :))

If it's any consolation, I truly feel that I benefited a great deal from the class. The idea of speaking in front of a group still makes me nervous, but I definitely gained confidence that I didn't have before.

Good luck!

AuntieRN · Jul 18, 2005

Scoly,

I was scared to death to take speech class too. I just knew I would pass out. I took the class with my best friend hoping that would help a little bit. When it came time for my first speech I practiced and practiced and felt really good about doing it. I got up there talked for about 30 seconds, looked at my best friend and could not even remember my name...It was an awful feeling, but....you know what my professor did? He took my hand, and told me it was ok..that everyone in the class was just as scared as I was, they just didn't have the nerve to admit it like I did....by the time I had to do my fourth speech I was a pro at it. Everyone in that class is in the same boat as you are. There appear to be very few people who can actually stand up in the front of the class and not be scared...even people who feel confident talking. Sooooo my advice to you is this: take a deep breath, don't fret and remember...everyone else is just as nervous as you are even if they won't admit it.

As for Micro....I loved it!! Good luck.

SomedayRN · Jul 19, 2005

My best suggestion to you is to also research your instructors if you have a few to select from. A good, understanding instructor can make a world of difference when trying to get through an already difficult course.

I had to drop a speech class one session...the instructor was hard headed and expected absolute perfection - he failed more than 75% of the class on their first speech, which was an intruductory speech about ourselves. I used to be in Toastmasters and I got an F!!! I just couldn't believe I did THAT bad on a speech about myself! Everyone else too...they did so well so, I thought. I was envious of their speeches. They failed. It was sick. So...I did a little detective work and figured out which instructor everyone seemed to like the most and just went with it. I had to go to a different campus but, let me tell you...it was very well worth it. My instructor for speech ended up being awsome. To this day, it is still on my list of favorite classes. Everyone in that group felt the same way too. We all became really close and supportive and the instructor encouraged it. Even the most fearful of students made it through his class with flying colors. He gave us freedom to pick our topics, get real creative with the visual effects, etc. His guidance was gentle and he was very knowledgable.

Some of the other instructors, so I came to find out, required a dress code for giving speeches, picked all the topics, didn't take kindly to creativity,

etc. That sounded to me like an even more dreadful situation. I'm so happy I took the extra time to ask around the second time.

So, make the situation as comfortable for yourself as possible from the get-go. Control the things you are able to and that'll set your mind a little more at ease. Please understand too that everyone else in that class will be in the same boat. I don't know many people who just adore giving speeches. There will be others that are just as frightened. Good luck!

Maisie · Jul 19, 2005

I have given a few speeches before, but never in front of the class. And never one that I had to write. I never felt confident before because I had never taken a speech class. Tomorrow I am giving a speech. I have decided that I am not going to be afraid, because there is really nothing to be afraid of. If you think about it, they are just students, just like I am.

Here is what I have decided to do so that I am not nervous. Earlier, I made it a point to speak to the students in the class. That way, I will feel that I am speaking among aquantances and not total strangers. When I finally give my speach, I am going to have a mental picture of myself calm and poised. Similar to actress on a stage. And above all else. Pray. I have been doing that since the beginning. We'll both be fine, I'm sure.

skislalom · Jul 19, 2005

Well, I've managed to avoid any speech classes so far (not an accident) and I'm just getting ready to start clinicals...however...I haven't managed to avoid giving presentations. I have complete anxiety attacks!!!! The first thing I learned was...if you can, GO FIRST! If you are the first one to give your speech or presentation, no one is paying attention to you anyway, because they are so nervous themselves! If you get to use notes, use different fonts, larger type and the points you want to stress in bold.

I actually had to do a presentation once and I did such a good job, I had most of the class and my professor in tears (not of laughter) I made my point so well. I was SHOCKED!!! It was my very first presentation and I had put in so much time and energy into it...it really paid off. If you have a choice, do your speech on something you are familiar with, it DOES help when the "audience" participates via questions etc...it lightens the mood SO much.

I really do understand your pain, I still do not enjoy public speaking AT ALL. I get the sweating, shaking, tunnel vision - you name it. Deep breathing, going first and knowing your subject WELL does help. My biggest problem to overcome yet (besides the adrenaline) is to make eye contact, that is very important!

Good luck!

~T

scoley · Jul 19, 2005

Thanks everyone! I feel much better about it.. I think if I'm allowed to pick a topic, I will do it on children with ADHD because my son has it.. So, I'd know first hand about that topic....

Thanks again everyone!

Fun2, BSN, RN · Jul 19, 2005

I took speech online....that's how much I hate talking to large groups.

For myself, I can speak up and voice my opinion, or a correct answer, etc, but put me on a pedistal and tell me to lecture, etc....I'm in trouble.

What I do is this (even though it may sound strange.) I hold my paper, microphone, etc with one hand, and clinch the other hand in a tight fist. (Sometimes needing to alternate lol) For someone reason this helps with my "shaking" jitters. lol

As for having to talk louder, etc. I can't help ya there. :rolleyes:

Good luck!! :)

LydiaNN · Jul 19, 2005

I took speech online....that's how much I hate talking to large groups.
For myself, I can speak up and voice my opinion, or a correct answer, etc, but put me on a pedistal and tell me to lecture, etc....I'm in trouble.
What I do is this (even though it may sound strange.) I hold my paper, microphone, etc with one hand, and clinch the other hand in a tight fist. (Sometimes needing to alternate lol) For someone reason this helps with my "shaking" jitters. lol
As for having to talk louder, etc. I can't help ya there.
Good luck!! :)

It really helps me to have a fidget, too. It used to be a laser pointer (I just always had to make sure I had something to point at), but now it is the PP clicker. Ain't technology grand?

magz80 · Jul 19, 2005

Omg..I have to take this class at some point too and I keep avoiding it! I HATE getting up in front of the class and giving a speech. I should look into taking it online. What school offers it? Ah, I need to find out if my school will accept it online...worth a shot!