Have you ever found yourself anxious in front of an unknown audience where you had to present or speak about a specific topic? To most people, including myself, public speaking can be a daunting task. Given that I am a shy and reserved person, public speaking wasn’t my strongest skill. However, after taking a speech class that emphasized on public speaking, I can now confidently speak in front of an audience about any topic and give an engaging presentation.
Before taking the class I would shy away from public speaking and try to avoid speaking in front of groups as much as possible. After taking the class however, that has changed. The biggest skill that has improved for me is communication. I was very soft-spoken and would have a hard time being vocally loud when presenting in front of a class. My structuring and coordinating skills have also improved a lot. I now know how to structure speeches and make them flow instead of them being unorganized thoughts.
My skills have significantly improved in many ways. Skills such as proper hand gestures, body movement, physicality, being vocally sound and loud enough for the audience are very important when it comes to giving a speech. Rehearsing and practicing a speech is important as well. The most impactful component of the course was rehearsing in front of an audience and receiving feedback on the presentations. This was the most impactful because it allowed me to have an idea of what I needed to work on after giving my speeches. I worked on all of the things I received from the feedback after every speech because I wanted to improve myself and make them better. Feedback from the audience and the professor was equally beneficial and impactful. It can definitely be stated that practice makes perfect and that constructive criticism can be very rewarding.
In the beginning of the course, I didn’t know what I was getting myself into, but I expected to get over my fear of public speaking and get out of my comfort zone because I am a very shy person. I wanted to sharpen my social skills and feel comfortable speaking to an audience. I also expected to learn how to convey a point across to any type of audience and motivate them with my speeches. All of my expectations were met and I can now say that my level of anxiety from speaking in front of people has decreased due to the class.
Overall, the class has truly helped me strengthen my public speaking skills. Public speaking is a skill that is very important in any career. Whether it’s giving a scientific lecture about a new biological discovery, or presenting a business plan regarding a company’s future, public speaking is an essential skill set that can prove to be beneficial for anyone.
