Is it normal to be horribly, terribly terrified or afraid of speaking in class?

84% Normal
9 Comments

I am an undergraduate student aged 20 years old.. And am studying Business Administration that includes subjects that demand not only speaking but doing it in a very effective manner.. I chose to study this subject myself and have complete interest in it, yet it's extremely hard for me even to speak literally a sentence in the class.. And when a question is asked from me suddenly in the class I panic and get confused.. I dont even come up with good points about the topic when asked to speak abt a certain topic, although I find myself very intelligent in the sense that when am alone or in comfortable company, I have numerous ideas on a lot of topics.. Well simply I start shaking while speaking in front of the class, my body gets hot and boiling and I get confused.. Do any of you feel the same terrible way?

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84% Normal
Based on 55 votes (46 yes)
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Comments ( 9 )
  • januarycurse
    8 years ago

    I used to get really nervous when I had to talk in class, but after doing lots of presentations it got better. Now the hardest part for me is trying to remember what I have to say, and trying not to look at my notes too much so that I can make better eye contact with the class.

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  • loopiesoupie
    8 years ago

    I had to stand in front of people and talk A LOT in school because my teachers always wanted the kids to do presentations. I would always get super nervous and would mess up on my words. I'd also choke, lose my breath, and repeatedly drop stuff if I had anything in my hands. It was sooo embarrassing. I still have a really hard time talking to people if I feel like that person is judgmental/critical. A lot of people are judgmental and critical, whether they want to admit it or not and because I know that it makes me want to be absolutely perfect but by trying really hard to be perfect, I end up messing up a lot more than I would if I just didn't care what others think about me. It's hard to stop caring about the way you and others see you. I don't know if that's what makes you so nervous to speak in front of a lot of people but that's what makes me so nervous!

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  • dolphin2525
    12 years ago

    I am really scared to speak in front of people. I try my best to get out of it. When I had to speak I was shaking inside and my body got really hot. It's scary.

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  • alv1592
    12 years ago

    I'm the same way. I took speech class in high school (not by choice) and I got unbelievably nervous when I had to stand up and talk in front of the room. Glad that's all over.

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  • joshinator20
    12 years ago

    Thats my fear too I cant talk in front of huge crowds

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  • Solophonic
    12 years ago

    Business Administration gives you a degree to start in career of dealing with people. If you can't talk to people and to groups you are definitely in the wrong major. What about when have have to address a board of superiors? How can you do that of you can't address peers? How would you end an argument or fight between employees? Or fire one?

    BA is ALL dealing with people, If you want to be involved in business but are naturally too introverted to be able to speak out and say the things that need to be said, perhaps accounting or economics would be a better choice. You don't need to learn you hate your choice after you graduate and either start over or be stuck.

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  • emilydoll
    12 years ago

    One of the biggest fears is public speaking.

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  • [Old Memory]
    12 years ago

    Ohhhh yes. I'm in a Chinese class, and whenever I have to get up in front of the class and say a few lines in Chinese my palms start sweating and I start shaking and feel like I'm going to have a panic attack, and I'm always surprised that my voice doesn't come out shaky lol. My partner last week (we get paired up with a new person every week to practice the lessons) confessed that the same thing happens to him. So yes, totally normal.

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  • [Old Memory]
    12 years ago

    That used to be me. Sometimes I knew answers to things others didn't know and I would never raise my hand. I also hated to be picked on to read out loud in class. The only thing I can suggest is that you take certain clubs and classes to help build your confidence. It helped me out :)

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