Speech Buddies

Watching the videos seemed to help me a little bit in coping with my nervousness. Of course it didn't take the feelings away, but it showed me ways to focus more on what's important and getting through the speeches. In the videos 2.1 and 2.2 the strategies that were introduced were very helpful. I think that visualizing yourself getting through the speech while practicing is an interesting concept. When I think of giving speeches I usually think of what's going to go wrong or what I'm going to forget. I think that trying to think of the positives and what I am confident in knowing of the speech will somewhat help. I'm going to try to relabel my fears into positive concepts while trying to practice and present my speech. I feel that may be easier said than done, but it's worth a shot. Another good thing that I learned from the videos is just breathing. It's funny that you wouldn't think of something that easy and natural would help you, but it makes sense. I tend to talk faster when I'm nervous, so I think just concentrating on my breathing will help with that. In Jessica's video I thought that she did a good job on her speech and made it very warm and inviting. Her eye contact with the audience seemed to draw them into her speech more. I found these videos to be pretty helpful and hopefully will be able to apply them to my speeches.

Public Speaking Apprehension

Public speaking makes me very apprehensive!! Just the thought of having to organize a speech and then stand up in front of the class to present it, makes me nervous!! I have no problem talking to people in one on one settings or a few people, etc. But talking to a group of people somehow makes it more intimidating. I believe that I have a little bit of speech anxiety- which is the fear of speaking in front of an audience. Before, during, and after a speech, speakers experience a wide range of sensations and behaviors that spring from the internal cause of nervousness. This pretty much sums me up! I get nervous just preparing and then sitting waiting for my turn and then when it's my turn I feel anxious and feeling like I'm going to totally forget everything that I prepared. When the presentation is over I feel a sense of relief, but tend to analyze what I did and think I could have done better. I know that these feelings are very natural since so many people experience them; I just wish they didn't happen to me! I hope that by taking this class I can learn to help cope with these feelings and focus them on the speeches and have more confidence. In the book it talks about habituation- which is fearing a situation less as it becomes more familiar, or habit-like. I'm hoping that this will happen for me. I want public speaking to be more of a habit than a fear!

Welcome

Hello there,
I am a part-time hairstylist and a full-time mom!! I am married and we have a hilariously entertaining little girl who is almost 2 and we are expecting a little boy at the end of next month. So needless to say, my schedule is a little crazy and about to get even more hectic!! I really enjoy any down time that I may get to myself, but unfortunately, that doesn't happen as often as I'd like!

I have been a hairstylist for almost the last 8 years and have been attending Sierra College off and on for about the last 10 years. Up until the last year I feel like I've been lacking direction in school and I think that's why its taken me so long, but I have decided that I want to pursue my nursing degree so that's what I'm working towards now. I am enrolled in this communications class because its one of my requirements and I'm not too found of public speaking, but it seems like it's going to be a good fit so I look forward to what's to come!