I'm Freaking out dudes!

[krankguitarist]

I've got a speech tomorrow in my public speaking class, and I'm freaking out. Got my note cards, but I can't seem to get through the **** speech without stumbling and losing my train of thought on the first topic I'm supposed to speak about.

GOD ****. I'm freaking out.

[ratherdashing]

Chill.

Do something else for a while, then come back to it.

If that doesn't work, get a tiny bit drunk.

[Smilemon]

Chill.

Do something else for a while, then come back to it.

If that doesn't work, get a tiny bit drunk.

+1, a shot to take the edge off, but not enough to make you slur.

[ginormous]

I don't think drink will help you focus. To analogize, you need a car that can take the corners, not something with a soft, cushy ride.

Try going over your main speaking topics (your "bullet points"). Work on the ideas you need to get across. Check your timing -- don't bore the listeners, but don't skim over the issues that need close analysis.

If it's all written out, remember to breathe. Take a pause in a natural place, like a comma, and just inhale a little. You wrote the speech, now just say it as if you were talking naturally, off the top of your head.

Don't be afraid of making a mistake or two. It makes you more accessible to the listener; as if to say, "Oops, I goofed. I'm a regular person, I'm one of you. However, what I have to say is still important..."

More than anything, before you begin, just close your eyes, breathe deeply and relax. You're not standing in front of the Queen of England. You'll be OK.

[Tor]

Imagine that you are speaking in front of lined up vegetables.

Makes it much easier.


FWIW, if I am nervous about a speech or something, I always make sure I make that clear for the audience in some humorous way, to ease the tension in the air -- as good as everybody has their nerves worked up a bit for those kind of things, and they understand exactly how you feel when you're up there. Ditto when it comes to making a few mistakes. That's just the normal.. You're fairly used to perform your guitar abilities in front of people right? Try look at this challenge to use some of experience to chillax a bit on the presentation. Best of luck man.

[Rainmaker]

Remember, the audience is on your side! They want to be entertained and feel comfortable listening to the speech. They are not thinking of how much better they can deliver that speech... well, at least those members who aren't presenting!

You'll always get nerves, but keep the above in mind because it will encourage you to be comfortable.

Good luck, krankamaniac.

[krankguitarist]

Took a little something to help me relax a little without making me too fuzzy. I'm finally starting to be able to arrange my thoughts. Still having to take frequent breaks to keep from hyperventilating though.

It's not a huge speech, really. It's a speech to pay tribute to any person, dead or alive. At least, any person who has had a positive impact on the world. Can't do one on Hitler, it is expressly forbidden.

I'm doin mine on John Lennon. It's hard to whittle him down to 4 minutes.

[Rowan]

Dress like a pimp and throw away your worry. Its a public speaking class, who cares what your audience thinks anyway?

[Thunder7]

Man I give you a lot of credit for doing it, public speaking is something that I absolutely cannot do, I can play shows just fine but speaking is beyond me. I went to my college public speaking class the first day to TRY and get over it, didn't happen I never went back :P

[mediumpimpin]

I'm with you buddy, I've got my first speech on Tuesday in my class. I hate public speaking and hate this class/professor even more.

[Luís]

This is how I think of it. People don't want to be there. You don't want to be there. Act cool about the whole thing, try to get the people interested and involved but don't worry if you don't.

This is the "getting some feedback" approach. You can always just pretend there is no one there, present the whole thing like you were talking to your reflection and get out of there.

[Gamera]

Imagine your audience naked. At least that's what they say.

I wouldn't go the alcohol route personally. Nor would I do the opposite and over caffeineate myself with coffee or anything.

Take a walk or work out about an hour before the speech. It really helps clear your head, gets the blood flowing, and helps put things into perspective. It'll be good.

[Blue Calx]

I've been giving a lot of presentations lately, and let me tell you, It's a long road out of suckdom if you're not comfortable with it. However, one thing that I've discovered is that in situations such as the one you're in (a gen ed class that people are only taking because they have to), not only will your audience rather not even be there, but chances are they won't even be paying attention to you.

You can go one of two routes from here: a) keep in mind that nobody but the teacher really actually cares b) make it your job to wake them the eff up so that they DO care. Both of these have helped me to focus in the past.

Oh, and if you don't like either of the above, make it a point to hang out and shoot the bull with your best friends before the gig. That will put you in the mindset that you need to be in when you're up there, and it'll get your speaking voice warmed up... like playing retarded chromatic runs to warm your fingers up.

[sstanfield]

Note cards are good, but know the information so well (I'm sure you do) that you don't really need to look at them, except to remind you what's next. Your notes should be just a few phrases, not complete sentences, because then you might try to read from them. Just get up there and talk about him.

[Thunder7]

Oh yeah I do remember this from my day of public speaking don't say ummmm or uhhhh

[Philcguitars]

Take deep breaths. Try to visualize the words in your mind... and DON'T PANIC. It really is a great thing to be able to do. Don't forget how to talk naturally, so you can ad lib back to the train of thought if you do drop a line.

Good Luck!