I have a really hard time with oral presentations, i go to college and when i have to speak in front of the class i get so unbelivably nervous, my knees start shaking and i cant think strait and i get really nervous, i don't know what to do but its unbearable and just the thought of having to do this makes me not want to go to class, is there some medicine or therapy that can help with this? also, should i see somone about this?
2007-09-03 09:16:03 · 13 answers · asked by SomaA 1 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
I think your fears are within the normal range of fears. Public speaking is difficult for many, many people. Medication is not the answer. Try practicing your presentation until your are comfortable with that end of it. Another suggestion is to have visuals with your presentation. If you are holding up a chart or another object, the audience will focus on that instead of you. Good luck!
2007-09-03 09:26:47 · answer #1 · answered by cur417 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Like most had said - the most common fear that people have is public speaking...so, you're in 'good' company :). You might have some friends in that same class that are having the same problem as you are - get together, form a 'public speaking study group', practice together - hey, if you see some friendly & familiar faces in the class when you're presenting - that might offset your nervousness.
Since only you (and maybe your family & friends) that knows the level of nervousness that you experienced - I would say only you can decide whether or not you need to see an expert for this. Some people do have an extreme case of these types of fears and therapy or talking to an expert might help.
If you know that you have come prepared (have all the facts for your presentation, practice for your presentation, etc...) for the public speaking the best that you can -- i.e when you practice at home you did awesomely well, you did great presenting your case in front of couple of friends, etc -- and your problem is when you need to present it in front of the class - I say talk to your teacher first. Tell them that you're really nervous in doing your oral presentation and asked if they have some kind of tips for you (it might help you feel less nervous knowing that the person that will be grading you know that you're ready for the presentation just not presenting it). If that doesn't help, most college usually have some kind of counselor - talk to them (hey... you're paying them with your tuition anyways- better make use of them, right?) - the good ones should be able to give you some solutions or recognize if you need professional help to overcome your fear.
2007-09-03 09:54:16 · answer #2 · answered by M*R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just about everyone feels that way. I am the same way but not so bad any more. I always thought it was strange that talking in a large group about casual stuff was never a problems but standing on that podium just facing everyone was the pits. The more you do it, just like anything else, the easier it gets. I would always try to find one friendly face in the crowd and I would talk to them. I started out by talking just over everyone's head so that they thought I was looking at the person behind them and blocking out the audience and pretending I was telling my best friend. I found that knowing what I was talking about and caring about the subject make it so much easier. Those college talks about stupid subjects are harder. There is a club that is in this area-south Texas-and may be in other places-the Toastmaster's Club. People join the club and are given subjects randomly and then you have to get up and give the speech. It's the old practice makes perfect. After you do anything a few times, it just gets easier. I worked with a CPA that could not stand up and give an audit report to a group of people and he was so knowledgeable. He went to the Toastmasters for quite a while. The next year he got up and sounded so professional plus he said public speaking acutally got to be fun and he met so many new people there. Just stumble through it. Next time it will be just a bit easier. And remember-everyone has felt just like you have-and they had to do it to. It's part of your learning experience and it's hard for most everyone.
2007-09-03 09:34:34 · answer #3 · answered by towanda 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Best way is to take help of some of your close friends / family, and practice public speaking in front of them. Second, if you prepare well on the topic, you can be more more confident. I suggest taking a topic in which you have expertise, and do some "public speaking" in front of your close friends / family. I do not think you need any medicine or therapy - you just need some practice and preparation, and then some rehearsal. Best wishes!
2007-09-03 09:30:58 · answer #4 · answered by curious 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Fear of public speaking is the most common fear, I've heard. You have lots of company!
Chamomile tea beforehand will help you relax a little. Sweeten it with a little honey, if needs be, to get it down.
Be sure you've done your prep work. Rehearse your presentation out loud in front of friends (or at least the housepets) and use any props or visual aids you'll have to use in class. Be as prepared as you can be, and then have your chamomile tea (Starbucks does have this, if you don't want to have it at home) and do your best.
2007-09-03 09:27:01 · answer #5 · answered by thejanith 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Im the same, Im usually confident but when 30 eyes or so are looking at me I get nervous and blabber on
Dont go to therapy, train yourself. Find a topic your interested in and invite friends round and along with your family and make them watch you talk about it, it may be a bit weird but you will be confident, which will give you practice for when your doing it for real
When your doing it for real just think about when you practiced, how you were confident and above all, happy. Once you remember try and just re enact it using the topic your talking about instead of your favorite topic
2007-09-03 09:26:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to stutter, I had to go to speech therapy for it. I also could not say "s's" and "t's". What helped me get over it was to think about what you are wanting to say before actually saying it. Sometimes your mouth goes faster than your brain and that made my stuttering worse. Also you might try focusing either on the wall at the back of the room or looking down at your paper. Don't however stare at your classmates. That will only make you more nervous. I would wait until you accomplish this a couple times to picture everyone in their undies. ;)
2016-05-20 04:52:48 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm still in high school but I know what you're talking about. From my understanding I think everybody has that fear to some degree. That's why my school is trying to make Speech class a required course.
2007-09-03 09:25:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
INCREASE ONE'S SPEAKING ABILITY
to enhance the languge of the tounge concerate for a few minutes each morning on verses 1 and 2 in the psalm
1- my heart is inditing a good matter :i speak of the things which i have made touching the King :my toungeis the pen of a ready writter
2- Thou art farier than the children of men :grace is poured into thy lips :therefore God hath blessed thee forever .
this should help you a lot------
2007-09-03 10:25:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
hey there...
am used to presenting in front of classes.... and it's still not perfect!!
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!!!
this is absolutely true.... it will be better if you start presenting regularly in front of small groups and with time groups of increasing numbers..
taking courses help a great deal too.....
a tip: just don't focus on the people in front of you..... watch the walls at the back and LEARN YOUR TEXT WELL!!!
2007-09-03 09:31:17 · answer #10 · answered by jaunick 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋