Public Speaking

Public speaking is very daunting to me. It is one of the things that I truly fear. I have done well in school and usually enjoyed my school work, but speaking in front of the class were my worst days. It is very scary to me and worry immensely about it being horrible. I have always been a very quiet person and uncomfortable in big groups of people. I would much prefer to sit quietly and take in all the conversation than take myself. Not wanting to talk and voice my own feelings in front of people is what makes public speaking so hard. I don't feel confident in myself, which makes it even harder. I don't even like to raise my hand in class to answer a question, even though I usually know the answer. I'm so afraid that it could possibly be the wrong answer that I don't offer it up. The only way I speak in class is if I'm specifically asked. It's not a problem of knowing the material, instead it's that I'm scared it will could be wrong. I don't like to ask questions either because I'm afraid of how it will make me look. I have had done a little better in college as presentations have been at the end of semester, so I can tell myself that if I mess up I probably won't see the other students again. I have tried to not worry so much about the public speaking and focus on the content of the speech, but I still struggle with it. I get myself so upset that I end up talking fast and mumbling over my words. That is just adds to my dislike of speaking in front of people. I have often stumbled over my words making me sound like I have problems speaking. I find the most challenge when I don't have a presentation behind me. The presentation or visual aide gets some of the focus off of me, which makes me a little more comfortable. It also easier if there are other people up there giving a presentation at the same time. Overall, the whole public speaking situation is definitely something that I don't like and I only do it when it is absolutely necessary.