<p>Ok, now that I'll be heading off to college I think itstime I overcome my fear (I guess it can be called) of public speaking.
Im a pertty easygoing person and am able to carry on a conversation just fine, but when it comes to giving a speech front of othersI kinda freeze up.
Does anyone have any advice on how to overcome this or at least improve.
Thanks alot.</p>
<p>There really is no way--that I am aware--of overcoming such a fear besides speaking in front of a public constantly. It just takes guts. Breathe deeply, and go for it.</p>
<p>Volunteer for opportunities that will force you to speak publicly. You should become more comfortable as you progress. Have someone tape your public speeches, that way you can play it back and rectify some of your imperfections.</p>
<p>The only way to get over the fear of public speaking is to actually do it. When I first had to give formal presentations in 6th grade, I was terrifed. However, the more I did it, the easier it became. Luckily I had to do thousands of presentations in high school, so I am ready for college. I second majayiduke's advice.</p>
<p>well i have a fear of public speaking, but when i get infront of a group of people it comes naturaly, my heart races, i start to sweat and i gitter but when stand in the court room everything comes to ease, i still have gitters my hands still shake, but everything goes into its place. i am in mock trial and various other clubs that require public speaking, join some of them in university i am sure there is something thats going to break you free from it. I also develop a mental confidence when i am doing public speaking so that i can feel confident in what i am saying and doing, i move my hands to make a point, change the vartions in my voice to keep people attention, and i move around a lot. The thing that has helped me over come it was projects in class and like clubs i joined.. hope all goes well :)</p>
<p>Most colleges will require that you take a basic speech class. I used that to get over my fear.</p>
<p>My advice would be the same as the others: be prepared, breathe deeply, and carry a bottle of water up there in case your mouth gets all dry and you feel the need to puke up your lunch :-)</p>
<p>Yeah, I used to be afraid of public speaking. I'd say definitely the best way to get over it is to just do it; I joined the Speech Team my senior year and I'm definitely comfortable speaking in front of about anyone now.</p>
<p>I have a few ideas you can try on top of that, though. One, know exactly what you're going to say. Whenever I give a prewritten speech or presentation, I literally get every word down in my head, every pause, the cadence of everything I'm going to say. Usually this means I give the speech as many as ten times to an empty room beforehand, but it really helps you glide along.</p>
<p>The other thing is my strategy for overcoming all of my unreasonable fears, which is I figure out the worst thing that could possibly happen from me messing up, and then whether or not in the long run I really care. If you can really get yourself into that line of thinking, it relaxes you wonderfully.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice all.
I am going to join this thing called Toastmaster- it certainly deals with that sort of thing- and other clubs
Yes, the best advice I've gotten was to just do it. The more I speak in front of others the more relaxed/ easier it would be later on - althought at times you'll still have that nervousness- :)</p>
<p>In a recent survey, more people were afraid of public speaking than afraid of dying.</p>
<p>The most useful thing for me was that my 8th grade science teacher gave us bonus points if we got up in front of the class and talked about our current events. After a year of talking in front of the class for a minute once a week, I felt better about it. Just try to find whatever chance you can to practice, and when you're up there think about what you're saying, not "oh crap I'm in front of everyone."</p>
<p>I also have the same problem up to this day (shaking, etc.) but I'm starting to learn how to overcome it. The speech class that I took helped but majority of the changes has to come from you. Self-confidence is very important as that establishes your identity as a speaker. Another thing, be prepared. If you know what your speech is going to be, its a lot easier to speak because you might stumble on a few words.</p>