Speech class jitters!!!!

danu3 · Jul 19, 2005

I have been dreading Speech class more than any other one including Microbiology, etc... I absolutely HATE getting up in front of a class/large group and talking.. My hands get shaky and sweaty, the room feels like it gets really small and closes me in, and it feels like the people in the seats that are listening to me are waiting for me to mess up, and I just feel all of them watching.. Then, my voice gets quieter and I'm usually told to speak up... This happens to me EVERY time I have to do some sort of speech in front of a group... I wish I knew a way to get around this.. picturing everyone in their underwear does not help...trust me..I've tried this a few times. The end result-- I end up trying to get through my speech, and in doing so, I speed read through my speech and my words get all bunched up.. Anyone have any tips for overcoming this??????

If you have not done it already, go to http://www.ratemyprofessors.com and find a good speech prof.

A good speech prof will understand and guide you through. A speech class is a time to make mistake and try different things. For example, base on my profs feedbacks, I was able to experienmnet with tone variation, with not pacing around too nervously, with raising my voice, with different styles of deliveries and so on.

There is a good chance some time in your life, you will need to speak in front of a group as a nurse. So use this class to prepare you for the future.

It is ok to make mistake and make an a$$ of yourself in speech class. The key thing is listen to your prof's feedback and improve.

As for voice going softer, you can try to have a friend in class (with the ok from the prof) to sit in the back and give you a hand signal if it gets too soft. Right now, I sometimes do presentation also and I have the same problem. If I have a co-worker there, I would ask him/her to sit in the back and give me a signal if my voice drops off.

What else, BREATH! You'll be surprise when we are tense, how often we forget about it. Try to have a little bit hand movements to match your speech and maybe even physically move a bit (not pacing nervously), the movement can sometimes channel some of the nervous energy .

In class, if you have a choice, sign up for number 2 or 3 in terms of order of presentation. Not number 1 because you might be way too nervous. But you don't want to wait till you are close to last, because by then you'll be a nervous wreck. Go early and just get it over with and you can sit back and enjoy the rest of the class.

Books? Try "The Nautrual Speaker" by Randy Fujishin. Very readable and short. Very practicle. Also go to your library (or buy) "The Feeling Good Handbook" by David Burns. It is basically Cognitive Behavior Therapy stuff but this book has a chapter on "Public Speaking Anxiety" (ch 15). Some of the CBT stuff in there might work for you.

-Dan

Fun2, BSN, RN · Jul 19, 2005

Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD) offers Speech 1311 (Intro to Speech Communications) online through its "Telecollege".

http://dallastelecollege.dcccd.edu/Future+Students/Schedule/

The Course Description from the DCCCD website is: Theory and practice of speech communication behavior in one-to-one, small group, and public communication situations are introduced. Students learn more about themselves, improve skills in communicating with others, and prepare and deliver formal public speeches. (3 Lec.)

KnarfKS · Jul 19, 2005

Someone said go first, this is great advice, go before you have a chance to become too nervous. Also speak on subjects you know a lot about and have a passion for. I hate speaking in front of groups but I once gave a 45 minute speech on a subject that I am very passionate about and I only had 2 days to prepare. With something your passionate about you focus more upon needing to convey the information rather than focusing on how the people are reacting to you personally.

When I took the class my first speech which was supposed to be 5 minutes long only lasted 1 min 30 sec because I sped it up so much out of nervousness :chuckle . It got much easier after a little bit of practice.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jul 20, 2005

I took this class and much to my surprise it wasn't that bad. I too dislike talking in large crowds and was fearful of pulling a bad grade. I found that by following all the guidelines I did very good.

icediamond · Oct 31, 2006

hello my name is diamond

I wanted you to know there are drugs like xanax which is taken 30 minutes before you have to do presentations which could really help you. I suffer from that to and it really has helped. I hoped that I was of any help.

nursemelani · Oct 31, 2006

I was a nervous wreck too. Every time I got up to that podium, I would get short of breath and my voice would shake. My instructor was very kind and stayed after class with me, letting me make a speech to just her, until my shakes subsided a little bit.

I always wrote really good speeches, and I ended up getting an A in the class, but even during the very last speech, my voice shook for the first couple of minutes.

I am glad it is out of the way.

care4u2010 · Nov 1, 2006

When I took Oral Communications I was very nervous. My voice would shake and I know that everyone in the room could hear it, but they said that they didn't hear anything. They stated that I did not look or sound nervous at all. I though that I was the only one who voice would shake while saying a speech. I still hate speaking in front of the class, but if I have to do it I will.

Mr. Beef · Nov 1, 2006

I took Speech in a Summer semester way back in 1996 or 1997, and on one hand I was really scared of having to take the class, but on the other I'm glad I took it.

The scared part came from the fact that you had to go up in front of a class and actually speak on something. I was terrified of giving a speech to one person let alone a class of 30 people. When my turn came up (the professor randomly chose our slots) I just went up there with my speech in hand that I had practiced and gave it to the class. I made eye contact with the attractive females in the class and kept track of the time by keeping an eye on the clock on the wall opposite where I was standing.

Something to help you get over your fears is the while practice your speech in front of a mirror. You can practice eye contact and your speech at the same time. Also just practicing your speech helps you to better know it so you don't have to look down at your paper every few seconds and risk losing points for eye contact.

The glad I took it pasrt comes from the whole thing of taking the class and getting over the fear of public speaking. That is a pretty common phobia that most of us have and is probably the most easily overcome by taking a class.

There's an organization called Toastmasters that offers public speaking seminars for people that want to improve their public speaking skills. I don't think it costs anything to join and it's another way to help get over this fear of speaking in public. Just Google Toastmasters and the first hit you get is the Toastmasters main web site.

Just dive in feet first like I did and I know you will have a good time in Speech class. I know I did.

Thanks for reading.

Mr. Beef

vamedic4, EMT-P · Nov 1, 2006

I took a speech class years ago...and like the OP I used to be a nervous wreck in front of classes...I actually would take an F on an assignment rather than get up in front of class and talk.

The first day of speech class was scary enough, and all you had to do was introduce yourself while standing in a circle, tell them who you are, why you're there, a little about you.

"Hi, my name is John...contrary to popular opinion I'm 26 years old, blah blah blah...

My nervousness showed a little in my initial speech but when they chuckled a bit at my line...it was a little better.

I agree with above posters...the right instructor is crucial. Also...if you must give a speech on something, KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT. Make an outline of what you want to cover, knowing that you can't possibly cover everything in a 5 minute speech. Pick information that you consider important and that others would find interesting or necessary.

Knowing your topic is the single best way to avoid nervousness, I've found. Practice what you're going to say in front of a mirror, or family members. Be sure to look around at your audience instead of staring at one particular point..even if you don't look at faces- it's better than looking down or staring off into the wall.

Another thing is that most people overestimate how nervous they are in front of a group because you're only seeing it from YOUR point of view. You may be shaking in your boots, but that doesn't mean that other people can sense it!!

Focus on your topic, practice, practice, practice. There's a specific formula for speeches that you'll be given in your class. Follow it and you shouldn't have a problem.

Good luck. You can do this!!!!!!

vamedic4

Love Coronado · Nov 7, 2006

I took Communications last spring. I was one of the older students in the class, and felt completely out of place. But everything that the other posts say is true. Even if the other students have to "grade" your speech, they only pay attention for a few seconds. We actually had to get up on a little stage for each speech, and critique. One of my fears was that I would fall off the stage.

It helped to have a paperclip to fidget with, and KNOW YOUR SPEECH! I have a mini tape recorder, and I would record myself. It helps to hear how other people will hear you. And make notes on your speech for yourself. If there is a line that is hard for you to get out, write it bigger, then it's also a reference point in case you lose your spot.

Good Luck.