Public speaking

I havent been on here in awhile because i have not had internet access well now i do for a few hours and im freaking out. Tomorrow i have to stand up infront of my entire public speaking class and give a speech on the topic that i picked. i have really bad anxiety and when i get really really nervous i have a break down and start crying. I am so scared that i am going to mess this up and fail it. the two people that have gone so far both got hundreds and so far in school im getting all A's does anyone have any advice for me cause i really dont know what to do

Hi lovebugg. I'm sorry, I know very well how you feel. Sometimes I have to do these things too atnuniversity, and also if the speech is short I'm always really scared.
First of all, remember that not everybody really listens to you in class
Have you also to use power point or something similar? If so, people who wants to listen the topic will probably be 'distracted' from you talking, because they'll want to read the slides...that is a good thing
I didn't undestand well if you have to talk alone or with other people. In this case, you could explain them that you are anxious to talk in public (maybe writing a message, if you are embarrassed), so maybe they'll accept to talk a bit more than you. I did it once and the others have been supportive.
Last suggestion: drink something relaxing this evening and tomorrow morning, breth deeply and try not to worry, it will be finished soon And then buy yourself a present
Make us know how it goes

First time is always tough, practice is all and at least you are getting practice in school not having to start from scratch out in the real world. I have done hundreds of speeches and talks, perhaps thousands, and have got blasé and complacent about public speaking - some adrenaline is needed to give of your best!

I like to 'speak' to, or address someone, anyone, at the back of the audience so I don't have to look at those closer to me. It gives a kind of distance so you can concentrate on your delivery.

No one wants you to fail and people will be sympathetic and hoping you will do well. Try to smile once in way too, it helps. Good luck.

Everyone is nervous about this, so you should just say it at the beginning of your talk. Don't be afraid to take a break, you're the only one who "hears" the awkward silence. Taking a break is good, drinking some water etc. Smile. Choose one person in the audience, preferrable someone you trust or someone who is kind to you, and look at him/her throughout the entire presentation (look a bit at the lecturer too). I hope it goes well!

Pick a few faces and address them, slowly switching from one to the next. Choosing them from the back of the audience is good advice, too.

probably the most important issue is timing. If you have practiced and know that your timing is right, there are really no reasons for worry. But if you become afraid that you won't be able to finish in the alotted time, or, if you finish too early and there is an awkward pause to fill, then those moments would be anxiety-ridden.

Thanks everyone i actually got through my speech half the class was not there the day i did mine. now i am working on my demonstrative speech and i am going to be making chocolate lasagna something i love making and i always use powerpoint with my speeches because it helps the audience understand more

Great lovebugg!!! What do you mean with chocolate lasagna?
I'll have a presentation too, probably quite soon, and I'm anxious too...hope that it will go well also for me.
Congrats again

That's awesome that you managed to overcome your fear of public speaking, if not briefly! I am in the same boat as you. I have to give a 15 minute presentation about Jehovah's Witnesses for my SOC class. My chest is beating faster just thinking about it. Just know that NOBODY wants to be in front of the class giving a speech. Nearly everyone in the audience, aside from the prof, will either be paying very little attention to you anyway. They've either presented already and are just spacing out, or they haven't gone yet so they're too focused on their own speech. I know it's much easier said than done, but just go up there with confidence. Own the room. It's your time to shine. Give the best speech you can, don't worry about what others think. Only what your professor thinks

Another option is to pre-record your speeches and play the video back to yourself. Some colleges offer this, actually. It'll be super awkward watching a video of yourself giving a speech, but practice makes perfect! If you mess up, you have a hundred chances to get it right before the actual speech is due. Best of luck

This helped me enormously: Practice speaking your piece aloud, either in front of a mirror or just standing up and speaking out as if in front of an audience. Practice really does help.

And most important of all:

Realize that every other student in the class is thinking while you are standing up there about how he or she is going to do (or has done) while speaking.

Basically you could be tap-dancing while whistling dixie and twirling sparklers with your ears and the other students would still be worrying about their own performances. Once I really realized that, I relaxed and decided to have some fun with my speaking assignments. And did I mention most of my speaking assignments were in another language to add even more to the mix?!?

So when you go up to the front of the room, take it slowly. Pause before you speak, scan the room, try to find even one person who is actually looking at you with an interested look on his or her face, smile at that person, think to yourself, "I'm glad to be here and I am glad you are here, too" and begin. The teacher will be looking for all the good you bring, and will offer you the help you need by pointing out later (via a grade, written or spoken comments) where your areas of improvement are.

I went from tongue-tied, terribly shy, thought I was going to die introvert to Absolute HAM using this advice. Courage!

I want to know what chocolate lasagna is too!! I am glad your speech went well!

Good luck FrozenYogurt! You'll do great