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speaking in seminars - problem
This is a bit of a bad problem I have which I'm trying to overcome. Basically I'm a quiet person and I prefer listening to people rather than speaking in class. I've always been like this and have always managed to get high grades even though teachers have sometimes complained that I dont contribute enough in class. It annoys me coz it doesnt mean I'm not listening and thinking about what others say!
I'm getting really down and worried about the prospect of having to do seminars at uni in September. I'm doing English so I'll have to talk and Im feeling really nervous. Im really not good at public speaking and I hate situations like this. I'm actually thinking of not going coz I just dont want to do seminars. Is anyone else like this? For the people at uni already, do you have to talk loads in seminars? I'm hoping I'll be able to carry on listening and not saying much and nobody will notice, as I'm so anxious about it all.
I'm getting really down and worried about the prospect of having to do seminars at uni in September. I'm doing English so I'll have to talk and Im feeling really nervous. Im really not good at public speaking and I hate situations like this. I'm actually thinking of not going coz I just dont want to do seminars. Is anyone else like this? For the people at uni already, do you have to talk loads in seminars? I'm hoping I'll be able to carry on listening and not saying much and nobody will notice, as I'm so anxious about it all.
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I used to be the same as you. My school reports always used to say 'could contribute more in class' but I was getting good results. The school kinda got me to get over it by forcing me to participate in the school debate in front of the entire school. Speaking doesn't get much more public than that. After I'd done that I slowly started to build up a bit more confidence.
Basically, I think all you need is to be brave and throw yourself into a situation you dread. Sure, it won't be fun, but it will make it a little easier to do the next time. Each time you do it it will become easier. I used to be really awkward meeting new people and knowing what to say but that's what I'm looking forward to most about uni at the moment.
Basically, I think all you need is to be brave and throw yourself into a situation you dread. Sure, it won't be fun, but it will make it a little easier to do the next time. Each time you do it it will become easier. I used to be really awkward meeting new people and knowing what to say but that's what I'm looking forward to most about uni at the moment.
Likewise, to the OP. My advice will be to do much exercise, particularly exercise which lowers the heart beat and everything else, thus when you get nervous in such occasions, you won't be half as nervous, your heart won't be pumping to such crazy, unnerving extents, and you won't be shaking that much or to an extent which is tolerable....
Otherwise, you could go to the doctor if this is a serious problem, it sounds like it is....they could prescribe you propranolol - which helps calm down the onset of nerves, useful for people who get panic attacks in such situations, me myself being one of them, perhaps your best bet is decent exercise blended with propranolol as an 'insurance policy' as such...i feel it's far more honourable a thing if you at least make some effort to exercise, as effectively it reduces your nerves in the body...whilst using propranolol in small doses...
Stating the obvious, it obviously helps having prepared well for a presentation, got into a right mental, physical frame of mind et cetera....but some people can have big phobias about something like this, so it's certainly not plain sailing even when you have met basic/common criteria for making a success of things.
Otherwise, you could go to the doctor if this is a serious problem, it sounds like it is....they could prescribe you propranolol - which helps calm down the onset of nerves, useful for people who get panic attacks in such situations, me myself being one of them, perhaps your best bet is decent exercise blended with propranolol as an 'insurance policy' as such...i feel it's far more honourable a thing if you at least make some effort to exercise, as effectively it reduces your nerves in the body...whilst using propranolol in small doses...
Stating the obvious, it obviously helps having prepared well for a presentation, got into a right mental, physical frame of mind et cetera....but some people can have big phobias about something like this, so it's certainly not plain sailing even when you have met basic/common criteria for making a success of things.
Personally (doing Engineering) i don't have seminars to speak in so i guess i'm lucky, but the thought of having to do it would terrify me!
As the other poster said if you're prepared it'll be easier. I think you should really try and make youself speak as much as possible in the first seminar, as if you say nothing in the first one it'll become and issue in your head and will probably escalate and worry you more. Also i'm guessing that the first seminar will prob be fairly simple as it's an introduction so it'll be easier to find something to say.
I spoke in a lecture (soooo many ppl!) yesterday for the first time and i was so proud of myself. I'm one of those ppl who usually whispers answers to the questions under my breath and then my friend next to me will say what i said and look clever when really it should have been me! Hopefully now that i've *finally* (after almost 2 years!) spoken, i won't worry about it again.
Good luck. And please don't even consider missing out on uni just cos your scared of speaking in seminars, it'll be fine once your used to it and it's a very useful skill to learn. Remember everyone's nervous and scared at first, not just you.
As the other poster said if you're prepared it'll be easier. I think you should really try and make youself speak as much as possible in the first seminar, as if you say nothing in the first one it'll become and issue in your head and will probably escalate and worry you more. Also i'm guessing that the first seminar will prob be fairly simple as it's an introduction so it'll be easier to find something to say.
I spoke in a lecture (soooo many ppl!) yesterday for the first time and i was so proud of myself. I'm one of those ppl who usually whispers answers to the questions under my breath and then my friend next to me will say what i said and look clever when really it should have been me! Hopefully now that i've *finally* (after almost 2 years!) spoken, i won't worry about it again.
Good luck. And please don't even consider missing out on uni just cos your scared of speaking in seminars, it'll be fine once your used to it and it's a very useful skill to learn. Remember everyone's nervous and scared at first, not just you.
I do English at uni and I never talk during seminars.
I'm exactly like you and the word 'debate' totally freaks me out. But the trouble is the more i talk the redder i get which is even more embarrassing so i avoid it altogether
I find it really hard to talk to more than 4 people at a time, but i'm not so bad with strangers for some reason, maybe because i can put on an act. So its not just you!
I find it really hard to talk to more than 4 people at a time, but i'm not so bad with strangers for some reason, maybe because i can put on an act. So its not just you!
I used to have a full on phobia of public speaking, but through lots and lots of practice and the use of beta-blockers, I got though it. I actually almost look forward to presentations now because I know that everybody will be listening to the genius words I spew out. 
Try finding a situation where you are comfortable to practice seminars in e.g. in front of loads of kids, or a couple of friends etc. It will always be scary the first time around which is why you may want to put the pratice off, but do it, and the next time will be easier. Coupled with medication (if need be) and you'll be on your way...
Try finding a situation where you are comfortable to practice seminars in e.g. in front of loads of kids, or a couple of friends etc. It will always be scary the first time around which is why you may want to put the pratice off, but do it, and the next time will be easier. Coupled with medication (if need be) and you'll be on your way...
Hey. Okay, you sound a little like myself. When I was in primary school I used to love reading out loud,answering questions - I thrived on it. Throughout high school I became progressively more shy and avoided public speaking at any cost. I hated assembly with a passion, as it meant having to answer to my name in the register in front of my whole year - it got pretty ridiculous.
At college, I took two English subjects, History and Psychology. The summer before I went to college, it dawned on me that I was going to have to talk. And I was pretty much alone because I chose to go to a different college than my friends. English and History wasnt too bad, but Psychology and English Literature was terrifying at first as neither teacher would let you off the hook until you'd delivered a full answer and contributed properly.
I've always had 'could contribute more' on my reports. But a funny thing happened. The first student performance interview I had in my AS year with my Psych teacher, she noted this but then said that she had been really surprised when, in a group presentation, although it was obvious I was shaking with nerves, I took charge of the whole thing and delivered most of it.
I thought about this a while and it had a lot of effect on me.
I'm still quiet, I felt physically ill at the thought of giving a talk to my Lit class last month by myself, but somehow I got through it. When I answer things in class, it takes a lot of guts for me to speak up because I have to formulate and rehearse what I'm saying. I often speak shortly and quickly, it worries me if I think I'm going to be 'picked on'.
The point of this, is that you're not the only one. Most people dislike public speaking in some way, but just speaking up in class isn't as common a fear, I've observed.
I bet after you've had to say something, afterwards you feel like you've gone red, everyone's looking at you, your heart won't stop beating? Keep at it. For me it's still really scary, but I'll push myself sometimes to do it. Honestly, you feel like you've just achieved something huge. And no-one cares as much as it seems they do. It's just another answer, and if it's a thought-provoking one, more the better ^_^
Just bear in mind, you don't have to be a wonderful speaker in any situation. But you deserve to have your voice heard. There's nothing nicer than having your teacher/lecturer/etc pick up on what you've said and spark off a whole new discussion. Just do it slowly, get a feel for it and gradually you'll start to want to say something in class, rather than avoiding it like the plague.
I really do sympathise with you, since I've been there/am there myself. Feel free to give me a shout if you want someone to talk to about it - just send me a PM or something
I'm doing Japanese/English Studies at University in September...when you get nervous, be glad you don't have to communicate in a different language in your English seminars ^_~
At college, I took two English subjects, History and Psychology. The summer before I went to college, it dawned on me that I was going to have to talk. And I was pretty much alone because I chose to go to a different college than my friends. English and History wasnt too bad, but Psychology and English Literature was terrifying at first as neither teacher would let you off the hook until you'd delivered a full answer and contributed properly.
I've always had 'could contribute more' on my reports. But a funny thing happened. The first student performance interview I had in my AS year with my Psych teacher, she noted this but then said that she had been really surprised when, in a group presentation, although it was obvious I was shaking with nerves, I took charge of the whole thing and delivered most of it.
I thought about this a while and it had a lot of effect on me.
I'm still quiet, I felt physically ill at the thought of giving a talk to my Lit class last month by myself, but somehow I got through it. When I answer things in class, it takes a lot of guts for me to speak up because I have to formulate and rehearse what I'm saying. I often speak shortly and quickly, it worries me if I think I'm going to be 'picked on'.
The point of this, is that you're not the only one. Most people dislike public speaking in some way, but just speaking up in class isn't as common a fear, I've observed.
I bet after you've had to say something, afterwards you feel like you've gone red, everyone's looking at you, your heart won't stop beating? Keep at it. For me it's still really scary, but I'll push myself sometimes to do it. Honestly, you feel like you've just achieved something huge. And no-one cares as much as it seems they do. It's just another answer, and if it's a thought-provoking one, more the better ^_^
Just bear in mind, you don't have to be a wonderful speaker in any situation. But you deserve to have your voice heard. There's nothing nicer than having your teacher/lecturer/etc pick up on what you've said and spark off a whole new discussion. Just do it slowly, get a feel for it and gradually you'll start to want to say something in class, rather than avoiding it like the plague.
I really do sympathise with you, since I've been there/am there myself. Feel free to give me a shout if you want someone to talk to about it - just send me a PM or something
I'm doing Japanese/English Studies at University in September...when you get nervous, be glad you don't have to communicate in a different language in your English seminars ^_~
I don't mind it but I always hated speaking in one of my tutes because I was crap at the module and whenever I did speak I always ended up saying totally the wrong thing and embarrassing myself.
I think you're best going in with the attitude of "I don't care what people think" and just speaking when you have something to say.
I think you're best going in with the attitude of "I don't care what people think" and just speaking when you have something to say.
I started a thread on a similar subject a few week ago -
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=241490
Hope this helps.
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=241490
Hope this helps.
As well as speaking to smaller groups first, try saying something that isn't your own work, to start of with. I mean try doing a reading if you get the opportunity to do so, for example. While at school I always felt better about speaking in public if it wasn't putting my own thoughts out there for criticism, so to speak. Once you can do that, it might be easier to contribute your own thoughts to discussions.
One of the fears related to public speaking is saying something daft/forgetting something, but I found it gets easier once you've made such a mistake and found that the world didn't end.
Being very well prepared also helps quell nerves, but that probably won't reassure you unless you've experienced it in action.
Says me, who had to give a presentation a few weeks ago and was shaking with nerves for days before the event =/ . Truly horrid. *scrolls up to re-read tips from the thread*
One of the fears related to public speaking is saying something daft/forgetting something, but I found it gets easier once you've made such a mistake and found that the world didn't end.
Being very well prepared also helps quell nerves, but that probably won't reassure you unless you've experienced it in action.
Says me, who had to give a presentation a few weeks ago and was shaking with nerves for days before the event =/ . Truly horrid. *scrolls up to re-read tips from the thread*
I love speaking in public as long as I vaguely know my stuff. Most assessments test your ability to educate/inform, but I place an equal emphasis on milking the opportunity to entertain as well. This doesn't mean cracking irrelevant jokes, rather ensure you know your material well enough to deliver a passionate, high-energy beginning and ending. It's easy and fun!
If you'd like to practice, join a Toastmasters-affiliated club.
If you'd like to practice, join a Toastmasters-affiliated club.
I used to get a bit nervy before doing presentations and stuff at school but i dont have a problem with it now. Its really common though. About half the people doing their GCSE english talks in my class were ridiculously scared (including me)
Its not something you should try and avoid. I think it would make you feel so much happier, generally about yourself if you got over it.
They say you have to imagine your audience naked (or if you were doing a talk for some nudists, you would imagine them clothed.) Also try talking to mirrors and talking to yourself when youre walking around the house.
Its not something you should try and avoid. I think it would make you feel so much happier, generally about yourself if you got over it.
They say you have to imagine your audience naked (or if you were doing a talk for some nudists, you would imagine them clothed.) Also try talking to mirrors and talking to yourself when youre walking around the house.
yes i understand what u mean. when i was in school, i hated the classes which had interactive discussion and debates and lots of talking, i dont mind watching other people do seminars and presentations, as long as i wasnt the one doing it...
i went to applied science in uni, just finished my 2nd year. i dunno about english at uni, but in applied science there arent alot of presentations however u cant graduate without having to go through a couple
I hate them, so i practice alot before the actual presentation - that helps alot.
I also had to take a course in 1st year about "ethics and applied science". all it consisted of was group discussion about particular situations etc, and marks were gived based on participation which kinda sucked... but eventually i got used to the group, and gradually i started participating a bit more.
so yeah it could be annoying, but i personally think that the overall advantages of going to uni make it worth the moments of stress before a seminar!
So i suggest u go to uni... good luck
i went to applied science in uni, just finished my 2nd year. i dunno about english at uni, but in applied science there arent alot of presentations however u cant graduate without having to go through a couple
I hate them, so i practice alot before the actual presentation - that helps alot.I also had to take a course in 1st year about "ethics and applied science". all it consisted of was group discussion about particular situations etc, and marks were gived based on participation which kinda sucked... but eventually i got used to the group, and gradually i started participating a bit more.
so yeah it could be annoying, but i personally think that the overall advantages of going to uni make it worth the moments of stress before a seminar!
So i suggest u go to uni... good luck
Anonymous
This is a bit of a bad problem I have which I'm trying to overcome. Basically I'm a quiet person and I prefer listening to people rather than speaking in class. I've always been like this and have always managed to get high grades even though teachers have sometimes complained that I dont contribute enough in class. It annoys me coz it doesnt mean I'm not listening and thinking about what others say!
I'm getting really down and worried about the prospect of having to do seminars at uni in September. I'm doing English so I'll have to talk and Im feeling really nervous. Im really not good at public speaking and I hate situations like this. I'm actually thinking of not going coz I just dont want to do seminars. Is anyone else like this? For the people at uni already, do you have to talk loads in seminars? I'm hoping I'll be able to carry on listening and not saying much and nobody will notice, as I'm so anxious about it all.
I'm getting really down and worried about the prospect of having to do seminars at uni in September. I'm doing English so I'll have to talk and Im feeling really nervous. Im really not good at public speaking and I hate situations like this. I'm actually thinking of not going coz I just dont want to do seminars. Is anyone else like this? For the people at uni already, do you have to talk loads in seminars? I'm hoping I'll be able to carry on listening and not saying much and nobody will notice, as I'm so anxious about it all.
I'm exactly the same, I hate reading a part in a play in a room with 10 people in it. The thought of doing a presentation in front of 100+ students absolutely terrifies me.
There are only really two ways to deal with it.
a) Bear with it, work through it, practice and try to build confidence.
b) Consume alcohol beforehand (The one I plan to use)
I am exactly the same with public speaking. Whenever I have to speak in front of a group of people my heart starts beating wildly, I blush, my mouth goes dry really quickly, I can't breathe properly and then have to take breaths in the middle of sentences and I generally just feel extremely self-conscious and awful. There was one time in my French class when none of this happened and it was when I actually pretended to be confident and more specifically I had a laugh with people beforehand and had been chatting with them so I didn't feel so self-conscious. Oh and I had also been practising regulating my breathing throughout the lesson and felt a lot more relaxed due to that.
Anyway I'm hoping to do something Englishy at university come September/October and I'm looking forward to getting more confidence, so I think it's a better idea to embrace the challenge rather than shy away from it. Public speaking is something we have to get used to at some point and it makes sense to become more comfortable with it rather than avoid it all the time. Think of uni as a fresh start and feign confidence, that's what I'm going to try to do, because I honestly believe that there is a confident person within all of us and we all have the right to be comfortable enough with ourselves and those around us to unleash this side of our personality.
Anyway I'm hoping to do something Englishy at university come September/October and I'm looking forward to getting more confidence, so I think it's a better idea to embrace the challenge rather than shy away from it. Public speaking is something we have to get used to at some point and it makes sense to become more comfortable with it rather than avoid it all the time. Think of uni as a fresh start and feign confidence, that's what I'm going to try to do, because I honestly believe that there is a confident person within all of us and we all have the right to be comfortable enough with ourselves and those around us to unleash this side of our personality.
As a good friend said to me once: Imagining people naked is all well and good, but it's either erotic or unpleasant and neither is desireable.
Remember instead that everybody, including the people you're presenting to, poos. You can't take anyone seriously who poos. Just don't imagine it ;-)
Remember instead that everybody, including the people you're presenting to, poos. You can't take anyone seriously who poos. Just don't imagine it ;-)
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