How to survive your first public speaking course

It is the class that college students fear the most; something that makes stomachs turn a bit when reviewing a course schedule. It’s Public Speaking 101 (or Speech 101, or whatever creative, less scary name the school has come up with). It probably wasn’t on your list of things you were excited to do this semester. However, it’s now a requirement in most schools, so if you want to graduate and move into the real world, sooner or later you’re going to have to.

Not everyone is born with natural public speaking abilities. In fact, most of us really suck when we start out (sort of like snowboarding or playing Halo). So when you walk into your speech class this semester, don’t think you’re expected to be perfect; most of the people around you are just as nervous and inexperienced. Just do what is asked of you and try to improve.

Personally, I think one of the best ways to prepare for a class like this is to take advice from those who have already been through it. So before I give you my advice, I’d like to share the thoughts and opinions of a few colleagues and alumni when I asked what they would say to those of you who will be speaking in public this semester:

– “Have realistic expectations… Don’t expect to be perfect because we as teachers don’t expect that. What we do expect is that you try, practice, research and come prepared. But we realize that everyone gets nervous and makes mistakes, it’s totally normal! It seems like students think they have to be perfect during every speech and that stresses them out more.” -Professor Gina Herrmann, Bergen Community College

– “Come with an open mind. Prepare to feel accomplished after you’ve finally delivered a speech out of the park!” -Jim Vasil, student, Rider University

– “Keep calm when you’re presenting and if you lose your spot, just try to speak freely about the information…don’t apologize or let the audience know you missed it.” -Victoria Perniola, student, Kean University

– “Remember that everyone in the class is in the same position, so don’t be afraid to speak in front of your classmates. Be confident, know your material.” -Shane Tonery, Student, Rider University

– “Relax, have fun with this! If you take the leap and get over your nerves, you’ll come out on the other side with some valuable skills.” -Barbara McNair, student, Brookdale Community College

Thinking back to my first public speaking class, I wish I had some tips like these to ease my anxiety. The suggestions above are great and I appreciate everyone who was kind enough to contribute to this article. I have taken your suggestions and added some of my own thoughts based on my own experiences as a student and teacher. I hope you find it useful:

Choose the right teacher

Note that this is not saying to choose the “easiest” teacher. You want to choose the teacher who has a style that best suits your learning ability. Some teachers are a bit more laid back in their approach, but if you know you need more push to get things done, then that type of person probably isn’t the best person for you. If you are anxious and uncomfortable, choose a teacher who makes you feel comfortable in some way. The first day of the semester is key to decide if the teacher and the environment are right for you; so be sure to pay attention, listen for details about the class and what is expected of you. Get an idea of ​​the teacher’s personality; does it match what you are looking for? Also, ask any questions you have after class to see how they respond. I have worked with many different speech teachers and most of them are very good at what they do, but they all have different approaches. Don’t choose someone who other students say is an easy grade, because while you might get a good grade, you’ll still be an awkward speaker at the end of the semester and beyond. Choose wisely. If you get bad vibes during the first meeting, try leaving the class, changing sections, or seeing if the teacher will work with your needs.

Read your syllabus carefully

Many students enter the first class hoping to get the syllabus and leave early. Some do not even pay attention to what is in it. The syllabus is an important contract between you and your teacher. Review everything that is expected of you. You can plan in advance how many speeches you will have to give and the grade each one will receive. If you are unsure about something, or if an item in the curriculum makes you anxious, talk to your teacher after the first class. Never wait until the end of the semester to raise concerns that you can address immediately.

try to have fun

When you are allowed to select your own topic for a speech, choose topics that you enjoy and understand; the ones that make you feel comfortable. It’s okay to choose something you’re already knowledgeable about, but you’ll still likely have to go looking for outside information. There is no point in choosing a difficult topic to try to impress the teacher, only to mispronounce words or get it wrong. Many teachers will also implement activities to get you used to being in front of the class. Many of them can be fun, if you keep an open mind. As for whether or not he’ll be thrown into the fire and have to speak during the first meeting, that’s up to each individual professor. I wasn’t that nice; If you were in my class you spoke from the first day.

Addresses

Good teachers will let you know what to do and how to do it. Some will even go so far as to tell you exactly what you will be graded on for each speech. I remember several students failing because they couldn’t follow the simplest instructions (like turning in a works cited page or having a folder for materials). Be sure to read the homework related handouts carefully and ask any questions if there is something you don’t understand. Also, when you get a grade from your professor, read the feedback he or she provides and take it into consideration for the next speech. Here’s a little secret: We typically pay close attention to the areas we asked you to focus on in our previous comments.

Meet your classmates

The entire public speaking process will be easier if you make friends with others in your class. You can give each other advice and support. And when you meet them, it will make class more fun and take some of the pressure off of you. I have noticed that students seem to be more successful in classes where students integrate well as a unit.

Practice and Prepare

Always practice your speeches before delivering them. Whether you meet a classmate, a parent, brother or sister, or a stranger on the street, ask them to listen to you give the speech several times. This will allow you to time yourself to make sure you are within the proper time frame. It will also help you identify any areas of speech that need to be adjusted.

use your resources

Many schools have extra help available for speech classes. Professors usually don’t mind taking time to meet with you throughout the semester to discuss any areas of interest. Also, talking to other students in the class might help clarify something.

Finally, you can also contact me at [email protected] for voice inquiries. I can help you through the entire process from start to finish.