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25 Things Only Speech And Debate Students Would Know

Judges ready? Audience ready? Timekeeper ready? Let's begin.

Shakira Cross

Mar 05, 2019

University of Missouri

5179

25 Things Only Speech And Debate Students Would Know

Shakira Cross

I joined the National Speech and Debate Association for my junior year of high school and fell in love with the sport. It became my passion. I loved competing. I loved waking up at 4 or 6 in the morning to perform a speech I went over 100 times and I loved the friendships and families I formed out of it. So I asked my old speech and debate family some things they remember from their experience of what speech and debate were like for all of us. We came up with 25 things only speech and debate students would know. Get your cases out, get your timer out, adjust your blazer, smile at your judges, and let's begin.

1. Memorizing your speech or case minutes before presenting

This is what the bus ride to the tournament is for, right?

2. Blankets and Birkenstocks with socks are a must

This is so you can conveniently nap anywhere in the school.

3. Two hours of sleep

4. Hating on a team just because of their school

Yes. It happens.

5. Becoming BFFs with random speech kids

It all starts with, "what's your speech about?"

6. Becoming BFFs with random girls in the bathroom

It all starts with, "I absolutely love your outfit!"

7. Talking to walls

The wall becomes your best friend.

8. IMPROV

When in doubt, when you don't know what else to say, IMPROV!

9. Nobody understanding how hard tournaments can be

Or the amount of hard work we put into our speeches and cases. It's difficult.

10. Water bottles with liberal stickers

Or laptops with republican stickers. There's always both.

11. The anxiety you get when breaks are posted

If you know, you know.

12. Getting a trophy and feeling like it was literal gold and then forgetting about it the second you get home

13. Novice who really should be varsity

I mean, come on, let's be honest here, some novice are pretty darn good.

14. Hating when competitors try to get too close with the judge

Like, the judge doesn't care. It's not gonna give you more points. Bye.

15. Not really sure if during awards they're gonna use the one clap system

Some people clap once, some people clap multiple times. It really depends on the school but it's always awkward when you don't know which one.

16. Random naps at the cafeteria table

Essential.

17. Calling your family once you found out you broke to the next round

18. Snack tub never having the snacks you need or want

Nobody wants cheez its or Chex mix sometimes coach!

19. Showing up to your friend's final round because you love to support...or judge in silence

20. Hearing, "CALL YOUR PARENTS WE ARE 15 MINUTES AWAY" on the bus ride back home

Disturbing the sleep you didn't get while on the tournament.

21. Getting told on the bus you're going to do an event because someone dropped and you are the only person that can fill even though you've never done the event before

WHAT?!

22. Attempting to control your face when you hear a person say something you don't agree with

I can control my tongue, but my face is another thing to compose

23. The classic T-chart on white boards

I personally always felt powerful walking up to the board and creating the t-chart.

24. Team dinners

Because food brings people together.

25. When your team becomes your family

They are forever.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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