I am not a very good speaker. This is a well known fact at my high school. You could even ask my freshman speech teacher, and he would tell you that I have could content but my delivery is terrible. It is for this fact that I felt at my best when I gave a speech at my graduation ceremony in May of this year. I could have chosen an academic or athletic accomplishment as a time that I felt like my best, but when I gave that speech I felt like a million bucks.
Leading up to my speech I was a nervous wreck. The fact that the gymnasium that the ceremony was being held in was extremely hot didn’t really help matters either. Some people would be appalled by the amount of preparation that I put into my speech. On the other hand though, I think that some people were just amazed that I managed to write out my speech ahead of time. Like I said I am a terrible public speaker, but I am also a huge procrastinator. So when I got up on that stage all I had was my written out speech and a couple of hundred people in front of me. I walked up to the podium and I realized that I forgot to practice my speech beforehand. This thought made me even more nervous. The time had now come though.
When I started speaking everything just started to come out. I felt on top of the world, I was thinking I know the people I am talking about, this is easy. In the end, I was told that I gave one of the best speeches at the ceremony. I felt like I was on top of the world. I think that I can translate this into my college transition by telling myself that even if I don’t want to do something I can still succeed and have fun doing it. I will use this experience to make myself try new things even if they are outside of my comfort zone.
Giving this big speech was one of the highlights of my senior year of high school. I think that it represents me a lot by showing how much that I progressed as a person throughout my high school years. I hope that I will keep this speech in mind throughout my college career and beyond so I can be a better person for it. I hope that everyone can at sometime feel as good as I felt after I finished giving that speech.
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I am glad you were able to build up enough courage to give the speech. Me on the other hand most likely would not have been able to do that, I get so nervous very easily. It was an added bonus that people came up and complimented on how well you did. It shows that you did a good job and were well prepared.
ReplyDeleteI am a suckish speaker so don't worry you are not alone. I am glad that you conquered your fear though. It is great that you stuck with it even though it was hard.
ReplyDeleteI am absolutely terrified of speaking in public. But, like in your situation, it was a good thing that you recognized you were only in front of your class who all knew you so it made it easier. It sounds like this was a real self-confidence booster for you which is especially awesome for you to have for college.
ReplyDeleteYour a stud, simple as that. Not many people face their fears head on, not many will even try. I enjoy speaking in front of people, it hasnt always been that way though....
ReplyDeleteHigh is all about progressing as a person and its great to hear that you did. Now, im sure procastination will be improved while in college as well. I know that feeling to get up and do something you are nervous about and then after its done feeling so good about it!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it felt good to overcome your fear even though you were so nervous. Some people can't take it and would have backed out. It's great that you got through it and did such an amazing job!
ReplyDeleteThat's great that your "best" moment isn't a usual circumstance. Public speaking is something that can always do you good. I've never given a speech like that but that's great. Surprising yourself is a great thing that will make you feel on top of the world.
ReplyDeleteHa, i actually got kinda nervous for you when you said that you wrote your speech but forgot to practice it. I'm glad that you did well with your speech and you certainly seem to have come a long way
ReplyDeleteThe feeling you get when you've prepared so much for something and care about it so much that you're a nervous wreck and then when the time times, you nail it is amazing! I can relate to that feeling with sports and it's always a great feeling.
ReplyDeleteWell nick you are a lucky guy. Cuz i am definetly alot like you i am also a horrible public speaker, but aleast you kinda concored your fears. i still have a long way to go.haha
ReplyDelete"Your a stud, simple as that. Not many people face their fears head on, not many will even try. " Nicely put Zach. Public speaking is tough but is also very important. I am sure that wont be the only time you need so speak in a large group. Great example.
ReplyDeleteThat's great that you did so well at your speech. Public speaking is one of those things I think never really gets any easier. Which sucks because it is so important in so many different aspects of life. Just keep practicing and keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteI did a lot of 'on-the-spot' public speaking at Model United Nations, and I understand how terrifying it is. My friends would always poke fun at me when I sat down after a speech because I'd still be shaking ten minutes later. Glad you made it through your speech successfully!
ReplyDeleteThat's great that it went well for you. I've given a lot of speeches and i always end up reading from my note cards. So props to you for handling the pressure.
ReplyDelete"showing how much that I progressed as a person throughout my high school years." Good stuff, Nick.
ReplyDeleteHeath