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How terrible I am at presenting.
I am a HORRIBLE presenter. I have the most terrible stage fright ever--the whole feeling of talking while everyone else is watching me triggers some kind of deep-seated fear/paranoia/oh god they're all looking at me AUUUUUGGHHGGGGH.
Today, only about 4 minutes ago, I was supposed to present a powerpoint on the 1920's in English. It was late, so the most I could make was a 70--30 on the powerpoint itself, 40 on the presentation.
I was so terrified of presenting, so terrified of standing up in front of everyone else, that I nearly had a nervous breakdown that I told/begged the teacher to just give me a 30 and let me not present. She did so.
I feel really bad right now. Like, horrible. Especially since before my teacher applies this 30 to my grade, my current average is a 53. But also because I feel like such a weak, pathetic bitch.
/emo
Today, only about 4 minutes ago, I was supposed to present a powerpoint on the 1920's in English. It was late, so the most I could make was a 70--30 on the powerpoint itself, 40 on the presentation.
I was so terrified of presenting, so terrified of standing up in front of everyone else, that I nearly had a nervous breakdown that I told/begged the teacher to just give me a 30 and let me not present. She did so.
I feel really bad right now. Like, horrible. Especially since before my teacher applies this 30 to my grade, my current average is a 53. But also because I feel like such a weak, pathetic bitch.
/emo
Comments
That stuff's pretty common, . Is it limited to a phobia of performing in front of a crowd or is it an offshoot of broader social phobia? Check if the school offers courses to deal with this sort of thing, if not, perhaps see a therapist?
I have grea difficulty interrupting people. If I'm in a group and we're all talking, I'll just timidly stand at the fringe and not say anything. And the suposedly simple act of walking up to someone and making simple conversation is a grueling endeavour for me.
Basically, I only answer. I do not question.
Ironically, when around people I know very well, like my friends, I am become a super-exuberant ham. But when I leave their company, I'm pracitcally a selective mute.
But hnngh I feel you. Whenever I had presentations I'd do just fine until I made one mistake or if people were being the least bit distracting in class. Then I'd start doing things like making monosyllabic words into polysyllabic words and it all either plateaued at the lowered state or just went further downhill from there. :<
^ And ah my gosh same here. If I don't know anyone around me at the time I just don't talk, but I'm a total spaz when I'm around people I know well.
I'm glad no-one ever asked me to do presentations at school. I have had to do them for work, and about the only sensible tips I have are (a) practice and (b) memorise what you have to say and only use the notes as back up.
Weirdly, I'm not particularly shy in front of an audience, but very inhibited at interacting with people I don't know one-on-one. Apparently, a lot of actors are the same. Depressingly, so was Hitler.
Thirding the overexubant with bros, and stiff around strangers, though the only problems I have with presentations are maintaining eye contact with the audience and occassionally fumbling my words.
Also, your presentation will always be longer than when you practice it due to pauses etcetera.
Ironically, when around people I know very well, like my friends, I am become a super-exuberant ham. But when I leave their company, I'm practically a selective mute.
As InsanityAddict and others have said, I think that is actually pretty common among people who are not outgoing. It is probably too late for me to give any other advice about this kind of thing, but since other people do have issues presenting in front of a class, it might be a good idea to talk to your teacher next time and explain your problem. In any event, I would definitely not give up hope. I have known people who were quite shy and/or poor at presenting and such who improved significantly at giving speeches, even becoming kind of comfortable with them.
Also, Stormtroper makes a good point. If you try to just focus on the teacher during the presentation and assume that the students probably do not care much, the "they're all looking at me" problem might go away a bit.
"Also, Stormtroper makes a good point. If you try to just focus on the teacher during the presentation and assume that the students probably do not care much, the "they're all looking at me" problem might go away a bit."
They don't. Especially if you're one of the last ones up. Students couldn't give a hoot about what you say or how you talk or look; they just want the class to be over with.
And hell, a third of my engineering physics class (including myself) doesn't speak well in presentations. The professor only cares about the content.
>Grading period ends this friday
Fuck this gay earth
Just kinda gotta do it anyway. I usually stare at people's desks or the wall or something, so it kind of looks like I'm making eye contact with the audience when I'm really now.
>Grading period ends this friday
Fuck this gay earth"
mea culpa
It may help you get over your shyness
I was merely average