How do I overcome my anxiety in speaking in front of the class?

Question

i want to be able to focus on presentation itself, but whenever i stand in front of class and speak, my face would turn red and hot, with all those people looking, catching my breath and when I start to talk feels like im stuttering

Answer 1

I don't know the immediate solution, however, my brother said that when he was in college, he took Public speaking. He was scared to death and in the end he said it was the greatest class he ever took and it's helped him overcome the fear of speaking in front of others. Years later, a very close friend told me the same thing, he took public speaking and it helped him overcome his fears of speaking in front of others. Both agree it's the best thing a person can do for themselves and they say it wasn't bad at all.

Answer 2

Most fears are not really a fear of the thing that we think we fear, but rather they are a fear of the unknown. We fear spiders because they are creepy looking and we don't know which ones will bite and hurt us and which ones won't. We fear flying because we don't know what keeps those planes in the sky, and who does the maintenance, and if they did a good job, and how much experience does the pilot have, etc. We fear flying because we know that if the plane crashes we could get killed. We fear getting killed because we don't know what happens next. Are we going to Heaven, or are we going to hell because there's that "one sin" on our record? Are we going nowhere, because that's the end? We fear public speaking also because we are afraid of the unknown. Most of us can speak just fine to our family or friends or coworkers, because in that setting we are all pretty close to being equals. In front of the class or the business meeting however, all eyes are on us. We are no longer equals. We feel as if we are being held to a higher standard, and because we don't have experience at this we are afraid we might embarrass ourselves, or people will laugh at us or ridicule us. Am I standing right, is my fly zipped, does everyone see my knees knocking, do I have all my cue cards in proper sequence, what if I get a sudden urge to use the bathroom, what if I lose my place and repeat myself??? We can read about how other people have overcome their fears and be enlightened and encouraged by their experiences and advice. But the only way to truly overcome our fears is to confront them head on. Just do it. The more you do it the more your fears melt away as you realize they were irrational fears and you can do this without all those bad things happening. After a while you start to feel really good about yourself, because you know that you are doing something that most people can't do. I know. I've been there. It's an awesome feeling, so empowering, to be able to look back on that fear and to realize that you overcame it. Now I can do anything!

Answer 3

Take a deep breath whenever you feel like you are stammering, and remember to speak slowly... even when it sounds like slow motion to you, it is normal to other people. And really the only true way to get over the fear is practice. Try reading your speach several times in front of a mirror, and tape yourself talking so you can hear how fast you're going and what words you need to enunciate better. Then try your presentation in front of a parent, sibling, friend, roommate, etc. And if you can, after practicing with one person, get a group of people together. Just remember, everyone in class feels dumb and nervous just like you, and you WILL survive. Just keep practicing and sooner or later you will feel the presure subside.

Good Luck, and sorry there really are no quick fixes for this one...but I know you can do it!

Answer 4

To overcome this problem, first of all drink some alcohol then go to class, u will surely get energy and confidence. Do this for 3 or 4 days. after 4 days do'nt drink and go to class normally but this time u r feeling confidently and in this way u overcome ur anxiety for whole life. but do'nt make drinking as ur habbit but drink if u need this in next class also

Answer 5

Take a deep breathe when your going up there in front of the class but before you do this rehearse your what you are going to say it will make things much easier. I would always look at one of my closest friends or pick a couple ppl out and so that your not looking straight down and don't feel so nervous friends do wonders sometimes

Answer 6

I am so happy, it was only a 35 minute drive ( 70 minutes total) but absolutely no sign of anxiety or panic i shopped till I dropped - brilliant! I will now go for the next stage DUAL CARRIAGE way, probably at the weekend, with my husband accompanying me first then the solo drive, if successful the final stage of driving on motorway

Beat Anxiety And Panic Attacks Naturally?

Answer 7

You can try speaking in front of the mirror....consider the mirror to be your class and then speak.....practise it as many times as you can....it will boost up your confidence level and when you finally speak in front of your class just concentrate on what you have to say and forget the rest.......this is the best you can do to get rid of ur prob.....you can also try a little meditation.

Answer 8

Check out the web site for The Stuttering Foundation of America. Their brochure on using the telephone can be adapted to speaking in front of a group. Click on "brochures for all ages" to find it at www.stutteringhelp.org. Toastmasters is a good group to join for practice speaking in front of a group.

Answer 9

By speaking in front of the class as many times as you can. It will become easier and may even become enjoyable. I went on to be on the debate team and do extemporaneous speaking in high school.

Answer 10

Oh dear practise as much as u can because practice only makes perfect.I guess it's a common phenomenon in many people.To succeed u need to confident & saying to yourself that am the best & that must do it & I can do it!!
It will happen at times u'll feel your ears becoming hotter & u began to stumble. So u need not to be in a rush in delivering your speech.Or else try to focus on someone in the class as if u are addressing to himself.