I have a paper due in a few days and I have to talk about the paper in class also. I have very bad public speaking anxiety to the point where I become physically sick. My professor said if anyone has a fear of speaking in class to talk to her about it. I havent done that yet and I was wondering if anyone else has been in this situation before and what their professor said.
I have known a few people who have taped their presentations and submitted it. None have been shown in class, but the professor could always put the tape in.
Your professor said to talk to her if you have problems so talk to her if you know she is going to make you talk in front of the class then try to get a doctors note it might get you out of talking in front of the class
If your anxiety is that bad, I don’t think forcing you would be a good solution.
Just compromise, sit this one out, but try practicing public speaking little by little…Start with friends, and work your way up.
I have never gotten out of a presentation…everyone get’s nervous, EVERYONE, I suggest just do it because you need to get somewhat confortable with it. Also, since you are in college, are you not required to take a public speaking class? Most colleges require that. (And don’t worry…just do it. For me, when I gave speaches, the first time I read too fast, the second time I forgot part of it and I had a very very long pause trying to remember what came next, and the third time I had several pauses, but much shorter, trying to remember what came next.) What you should do is practice, that also means in front of other people than yourself.
I just have to do it and get it over with. Talk fast and quietly, take the lower grade. My mom use to just refuse and she’d take the zero. Sometimes thats all you can do.
Just talk to your teacher before you freak out.
That’s called college. Some professors have said you don’t have to do it, but it is worth 25points. If you get an A on everything else and skip the speech, you get a 75.
You can go to the disabilities office and get tested and get a certificate saying you have an anxiety disorder and public speaking will cause undo stress… but you should have done that when you first got admitted.
College and life is going to be a lot of stuff that scares the crap out of you, including many public speeches to come. If you can’t handle it now quit. I’m not trying to be a jerk but that’s the truth. Life is hard and it gets harder, deal with it.
Say you want to be a great scientist? you discover the cure for everything, you will have to stand at the medical summit and speak to 25,000 people waiting to tell you that your work sucks. Considering that I’m happy to give a 3 min speech in class. Follow the outline the teacher give you and get an A. Easy-peasy, Japanesey.
Learning to speak in public can be tough. But it is a skill that you should develope. The fear you have is caused by your lack of self confidense. Look at the assignment as a learning issue and do your best. I had your problem when I was in college but worked on it. Now you can’t keep me off the podium.
If you have a paper due in a few days, go talk to your professor, because there’s little time. However, try not to look at this as a bad thing, but rather as an opportunity to grow and develop.
Fear of public speaking is a common phobia many people have, but in most cases, if a person really wants, it can be controlled! You’re in college, and you’ll probably have to make another public speech eventually…
Use this time to learn more about your fear, search online, and try some relief techniques that can help you control and eventually beat this phobia. You can do it, it just takes time and persistence!
Here’s the bad news: The professor can set the rules and there’s not much you can do about it. You may get lucky and the professor may let you get out of it this time. However, you are most likely, at some point in your life, going to have to get up and speak in front of a group of people.
Here’s the good news: YOU CAN LEARN TO CONTROL YOUR FEAR OF PUBLIC SPEAKING! (I know that sounds like I’m yelling – I want to make sure that I got my point across).
I was once like you. At one point I destroyed a perfectly good musical instrument just to get out of having to get up and perform. Today, I teach classes and actually look forward to getting up to talk.
There’s no real single “secret” to learning to control your fear. There are many tricks and tips you can learn along the way. The best way to control the fear is to just put yourself out there and try.
Here’s a tip to help you relax before getting up to speak:
1. Close your eyes and picture the happiest time of your life. It could be a vacation you took, time spent with your family, or anything that makes you happy. Focus on that image and picture every detail.
2. While your doing this, touch your index finger to your thumb, like you’re making an “ok” hand gesture.
3. Now, stop focusing on the “happy place” and release your fingers.
4. Wait 5 minutes and repeat the first 3 steps again. Do this several times for the next few days.
5. When it’s time to get up to speak, touch your index finger to your thumb. This will put your mind back to your “happy place” and you should feel more relaxed.
Hopefully this helps with your presentation in the next few days. You should look at getting a program that helps people learn to control their fear of public speaking.
I found this website that has some other tips as well as programs for learning to control your fear. Go to http://www.publicspeakingwithoutpanic.com.
Good luck and speak well.