Social Anxiety Forums

Marmity · Anonymous

I am in my second year at university and am struggling now more than ever. I clam up in seminars hoping I wont be asked to speak out. Ive got a presentation to do in May, and am considering leaving as I feel that bad.

I really want to graduate next year, but the pressure on me to 'perform' in front of people is really taking its toll!

Does anyone have any similar experiences or ways that theyve learnt to overcome this?

George · Anonymous

Hello Marmite,

Something very similar has happened to me. I graduated two years ago and like you gave my first presentation in my second year. I was really nervous and hated the idea. The way i got round it was to practice my presentation over and over. Use the same room as you'll be using in the real presentation and rehearse it over and over. Once you get to know the lecture theatre controls and environment you'll be alot more comfortable. It works for me.
I now lecture students twice a week for an hour and i still now and then quickly go through my material to make sure i dont umm and ahhh through my talk. If you know your material well you'll start to enjoy the lecture. The short time before the presentation you'll feel anxiety and maybe in the first few slides you have. Once you get into that same rythem as what you did when you practiced you'll feel better about yourself and the anxiety will pass.

neddy · Anonymous

Marmity, I have never been able to stand up in front of people to give a talk/lecture, but some advice someone gave me one day was too make out that there was no one in room, or too fix your sight on something in the back of the room, even though every now and again you are susposed to look up at eveyone you aren't actually looking at them. Don't laugh but something else that was suggested was to imagine them sitting there in the nude, they are harmless and truth be known they are feeling as scared and nervous as you are. Some times when people come across as being really confident they are actually feeling anything but. Give it go, quite often if you make a mistake they wont pick up on it unless they are an expert on the subject.

Orland · Anonymous

Marmite,

Are you feeling a little better about giving the speech?

Marmitey · Anonymous

Hi, thanks for the support..its much appreciated!

Unfortunately the thourght of giving a 20 min presentation to the class still scares the s!*t out of me! Ive seen my doc again and he has said he can give me valium for it if i want but im unsure about using medication for it! Has anyone had any experience with valium for public speaking before?

Ive only got two monthes of second year left so it'd be a shame to pack it in now just because of this obstacle...

Terras · Anonymous

Hi marmitey,
Are you feeling better about doing the speech?
I am a second year computer science student, in my first year we had to take stupid units called foundation units where you write essays, debate and have to do at least one speech. It was awful in a room with a giant round table with everyone looking at each other and debating and one person had to give a talk every class. I was in a class filled with law students who were so confident in debating and speeches. I knew that in week 6 it was my turn to give my speech, the whole semester I couldnt stop thinking about it. I considered leaving uni because of it. When the day came I was prepared to do the speech but didnt turn up. The next day I went to talk to the tutor and told her I was sick, she let me change classes and do my speech infront of them, I couldnt get out of it and knew that if I didnt do the speech I would fail the unit. I prepared and practised like crazy, I did the speech infront of 2 people that I felt comfortable infront of and did ok. I was ready. My main problem that makes me freak out is if people are looking at me, so I made sure that when I did my speech I made copies of my speech so that people could read along with me instead of the focus being on me, it worked well and I got through the speech and passed the unit.
I know it can be very hard and I feel for you marmite.
What is it that worries you about the speech? If its people looking at you then I suggest giving handouts like I did. If it is something else then let us all here know so we can give you tips about that specific thing....

Helen · Anonymous

Hi there,

That's a really good suggestion terres re handouts - keep the audience looking at bits of paper instead of the speaker!

Public speaking is hard...even for the majority of the population, let alone SPs..... I've always struggled with it, but get a HUGE feeling of accomplishment when I challenge myself in this area. I've also found practicing helps - if you know your stuff, you're less likely to stuff up!

Cheers, Helen

Sullen · Anonymous

Presentations are actually quite easy for social phobis once they realize that they are in control. Just know the material better than everyone else. Social phobia hits you much harder in the workforce when you have to be there at least 8 hrs per day. University is actually one of the easiest environments for shy people. The really shy neurotic types become the doctors in every subject. The neurosis actually makes you much better at studying and remembering when you are not around people or during tests.

Symbiosis · Anonymous

Good point Sullen - SPs seem to a high achieving bunch, on the whole. It's like we can control our learning and are determined to be really good at it, even if we are "less than good" with the whole social thing!

Can be a problem though, I did two two uni psych topics last year and was determined to get >80% for everything, or why bother.....huge pressure and lousy impact on other aspects of life. Am now confused whether to continue uni study at all - ridiculous, hey??