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 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!