Forum
so i just bailed on my group presentation...
|
greekboi wrote
at 12:54 PM, Thursday May 26, 2011 EDT
so today was my group's turn to do a case study for my modern political thought class(basically we have to facilitate a discussion revolving around Bentham and Locke's philosophies). me and this chick were discussing whether or not marijuana should be legalized. i went to all our group meetings and had my slides ready, as well as an outline of what i would say and how i would lead the discussion. anyways, fast forward to about 20 minutes ago. on my way from my 1st class to this one, my breathing became really shallow and rapid, my heart started beating quickly, and i felt really jittery. this happens to me anytime i have to present, or even when i just think about it. i had run through my presentation with my roomate this morning several times, but when it came down to crunch time i couldn't do it. i've skipped every presentation (individual or group) i've had to do in college thus far, with one exception (and that went HORRIBLE, i think). this was never a problem in high school. i think i may have a bad case of social anxiety, and i don't know what to do about it. i know this fear is totally irrational, and i have to conquer this fear eventually. can anyone relate to this, or is there any advice any of you guys can offer. im so embarassed about skipping, and i know its going to suck having to explain to my group why i missed it (i'm not sure i want to tell them the truth). thanks
-greek |
|
danceswithdices wrote
at 1:02 PM, Thursday May 26, 2011 EDT really
|
|
MadHat_Sam wrote
at 1:13 PM, Thursday May 26, 2011 EDT Buspar, I would have suggested marry jane but that might increase the anxiety.
|
|
dasfury wrote
at 1:14 PM, Thursday May 26, 2011 EDT suck it up and present. pray you dont fail the assignment
|
|
montecarlo wrote
at 1:19 PM, Thursday May 26, 2011 EDT i know some people try that toastmasters shit. i got over the public thing through church. you start with teaching like 5 kids in sunday school who you know respect the shit outta you, then gradually move up to where youre comfortable preaching in front of a whole congregation. church people are really encouraging/forgiving, so that helps.
but its def a process, its not like you wake up one day and tell yourself im going to beat this, and it instantly goes away. but damn you suck for bailing on your group. that was like one of the worst cardinal offenses in college. always hated group projects. |
|
|
montecarlo wrote
at 1:59 PM, Thursday May 26, 2011 EDT i guess what upsets me is that if you know you have this issue, tell both your prof and your group, day one. they will help you through it somehow.
|
|
jurgen wrote
at 2:03 PM, Thursday May 26, 2011 EDT Monte is right, it's a learning process
The first step is breaking the unconfidence cycle, just face the fear and do it. Bailing out is not an option anymore. I would advise you though to be honest and throw your problem in the group. It would surprise me if they wouldn't be supportive and understanding and they will try to make the experience less stressful for you. Because, trust me, most people have these cold feet. I have to give presentations occasionally to groups ranging from 5 to 200 people. I am usually comfortable up until groups of 50 but once I have to face a full auditorium of 100+ people, it takes me like 10 minutes to get over the uncomfortable feeling. There are times when I can't even shake off the stress but at least it won't really block me anymore It also depends on the topic. Try to start off with topics where you are really very comfortable with, it will go much smoother if you feel you really master the topic. So all the best of luck for facing this demon. I am very sure you will just need one or two tries to start feeling an improvement in your stress level. |
|
Louis Cypher wrote
at 2:09 PM, Thursday May 26, 2011 EDT Greekboi, I don't know you at all. Still, I have to give presentations to groups of different sizes (10 to a couple of hundred) frequently. I can asure you, that I am a bit nervous every single time. It is getting less over time. You need to practice. Best training-ground you can find is children. They are honest in their response, still you don't really lose a lot. Either you take church, like Monte suggested, or, if you are that kind of person, try sports. I learned a lot from being a coach of children in sports. They show quite frankly when you are not convincing. They ask when they don't understand. You can show practically instead of speaking too much. The ratio of speaking and showing can vary - and you do something you have done longer than the audience, you have more experience.
All this is work, but work is the only thing getting you out there. Have a friend, then 2, then 3 listen to your presentation. I have done this with others, being the audience, listening to the presentation over and over... Have them join when you give it in public. You can do it - but you have to start someplace. Hope this is helping a bit. |
|
|
MadHat_Sam wrote
at 2:10 PM, Thursday May 26, 2011 EDT I think taking drugs to reduce the problem was totally the best solution over everyone else who would encourage self betterment through practice and stuff.
|
|
Thraxle wrote
at 2:28 PM, Thursday May 26, 2011 EDT liquid courage
|
|
boogybytes wrote
at 3:41 PM, Thursday May 26, 2011 EDT all I can tell you is that giving presentations gets easier with time. when i first started grad school i was always super nervous, but now I hardly ever get nervous at all. i actually enjoy presenting to a group.
|
