get over my fear of public speaking

Yesterday, on the last day of summer school we all had to give presentations of our research and investigations and then conduct a debate.

I was really nervous about especially because we had to talk about biochemistry and fuel cells in front of people with PhDs in that area – nerve wracking!

But, even though before and during the presentation I was really quite nervous, and pronounced some words wrong (sodium tetrahydridoborate anyone?). It was fine. Because really, who cares? It doesn’t matter. A lot of people absolutely shit themselves while speaking in public, yet they sound so confident, and that’s normal.

So even though I don’t necessarily like speaking in public, and I do get nervous, I think that’s just part of it. And if I have to speak in public, I will – I will not let my nerves and fear get the better of me!

Last Wednesday in my English class, I played the part of Big Mama when we were reading ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ by Tenessee Williams. I put on a cringe worthy American accent too. What’s more amazing is that I didn;t feel embarrassed. Yay me!

I’m definitely becoming more and more confident. I just need a big audience to see how much I’m capable of!

I have to give a presentation on life in the Regency Era tomorrow. I’m very anxious and nervous about it. I really hope I don’t screw up >.<

On a plus note. I’ve become far more active in my classes. Even though some of my subjects, like Chemistry is full of 30+ strangers D:

Miraculously I haven’t been shy and timid like my usual self. I’m going to start making a huge effort to contribute A LOT more in class! :)

I got my overall English Oral grade today, and I was rather pleased with what I’d received – an A! I know it’s not an A*, but whatever. I find this kinda stuff really difficult; for me to get an A is quite an achievment =)

I had my English Orals today, I worked in a group with two of my girlfriends – we played the parts of three foreigners (Chinese) that came to London to start a new life. and we we acting out the hardships of our lives etc…

I found it so hard not to laugh because we’d put on accents, and i felt so self-concious, but when we got around to the actual performance (in front of an audience!) I managed to stifle the laughter and nerves, soon I’d gotten completely involved in my role and the play, that I completely forgot that there were people there watching me – it was quite fun actually.

I’m quite happy with the grade I got (B+), considering I’m not that much of an actor, and we only rehearsed it once, with just an afternoon to prepare for it – but I (we) might re-do it just so I (we) can get an A or something…dunno, we’ll see.

I think this is a great improvement from how I was when I first adopted this goal, so I’m rather pleased with the progress!

I was asked to read in class a few days ago and it was the first time [ever] that I hadn’t turned bright red and hot. Woohoo – that’s an improvement right?? Hope it keeps up ^^

I’ve got my english orals next week =( I am petrified!!! I have to plan a small talk on ‘water shortage’, lasting 2-3 minutes, and i can’t read it off a piece of paper – i’ll have to be completely spontateous!! This is the criteria:

1. Speak clearly
2. Make eye contact
3. Fluency
4. Interesting the audience
5. Well structured: clear beginning, middle and end
6. Standard english

How the fuck can i make my class interested in water shortages??!? It’s bloody impossible!! It’s going to hard trying to keep speaking in a formal tone, specially without much prompt =(

So basically i’m getting ready to die!

I’ve been SO brave today, i read in front of my french class today!! Yay! It wasn’t as bad as i’d thought it would be, even though it was in a completely different language, and my accent was shit!! I think the reason why i didn’t find it as bad was coz most of my friends and people i’m comfortable with were there, and also i know that the whole class can’t speak french properly – so we’re kinda in the same boat!! I think i need to start offering to read in class more, so i can start building up my confidence!! :)

to accomplish this goal yet as i haven’t had to do any public speaking in a while now (thank God), but my english oral exams are coming up soon so to get a good grade i really need to start improving, because i really want to get an A or an A*, i got a B for my other presentation, which i wasn’t happy about – and that was just with me giving a 5 minute (can’t really remember how long) speech about my work experience, with my teacher and a few classmates for an audience – it’s going to be som much worse in front of i bigger crowd! I am dreading it !