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Academic Problem: I can't speak...

edited March 2009 in General
Hi everyone,

I just realized I have a major academic problem: I can't speak.

It is not so much that I am too shy to participate. I highly values participation marks and I will do whatever I can to get it. Often, I got some good idea in my head that I would like to express it. It is just that, when I speak, I can't get my idea across to people as well as I hope. Often, my fellow classmates would say something that is exactly what's in my head. I can only nod and think to myself, "damn, why didn't I say this..."

I have thought about writing down what I want to say on a piece of paper and reading off it, but by the time I finish writiing. We would have moved onto another topic...

I am pretty sure my HIST 485: Tech and War classmate hikin can testify to my inability to speak effective in seminars and tutorials. I am pretty sure most of you have read his LIVE play-by-play of my seminar discussions in the shout-box. I am often too nervous and tumble when speaking.

It is just so fustrating sometimes that I can't express my ideas without assistance. What is even more fustrating is that my ability to speak was much better back in high school and I would dominate discussions. I don't know if it is just the change in environment or that most of my high school classmates are idiots (no offense intended, cowmilk11, if you are who I think you are).

So, anyone got some tips to solve this problem?
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Comments

  • edited March 2009
    Beer. Lots of it and then some.
  • edited March 2009
    Exactly, alcohol will fix this problem quite quickly.
  • edited March 2009
    drinking enough beer would mean having to go piss a couple of times during seminar lol

    go for a couple of shots of vodka, no on can smell it off you either lol
  • edited March 2009
    lazyGUY;49648 said:


    go for a couple of shots of vodka, no on can smell it off you either lol
    I believe that is an urban myth ...

    -------------------------

    just say whatever you think the other person is going to say before they do.
  • edited March 2009
    ^ u dont have to leave
    my cmpt 363 prof sent us an email once and it said "bring a drink"
    apparently once in class she meant water, so i had to put away the tequila
  • edited March 2009
    kingsleymore;49649 said:
    I believe that is an urban myth
    not really, supposedly most alcoholics drink vodka cuz ppl cant smell it off you the next day
  • edited March 2009
    GUYS, I AM SERIOUS!

    Explain to me how exactly can alcohol HELP me?
  • edited March 2009
    ...maybe try the socially anxious workshop that sfu offers?
  • edited March 2009
    Student0667;49653 said:
    GUYS, I AM SERIOUS!
    all u need to do is relax
  • edited March 2009
    no easy way about it, you just make a conscious effort to speak more in any situation
  • IVTIVT
    edited March 2009
    grow a pair?
  • edited March 2009
    Toastmasters. Or you can get high on cocaine.
  • edited March 2009
    It seems none of you are giving me any serious advice. Mods, please close this thread.
  • edited March 2009
    I have the same problem, but much, much worse.
  • edited March 2009
    Practice. That can only do so much.

    Speaking articulately and fluently in the open isn't for everyone. Every little segment of population is able to speak in excellence. Hitler and JFK are the few notable leaders of the last century who is aptly superb at speaking publicly.

    Universities all over NA is doing a poor job at that.
    Student0667;49666 said:
    It seems none of you are giving me any serious advice. Mods, please close this thread.
    I'm not sure anyone else here have any serious advice to give you. It's not easily mastered, and you certainly won't master it this semester.

    Some alcohol should calm your anxiety and nervousness. Various relaxation techniques are used among speakers, such as meditation, prayers, relaxation, and least mentionable, sex.
  • edited March 2009
    Toastmasters +1! I've heard it helps.
  • edited March 2009
    I wouldn't say its an academic problem either.

    Are you shy in general?
  • edited March 2009
    Student0667;49666 said:
    It seems none of you are giving me any serious advice. Mods, please close this thread.
    I don't mean to come across as snarky or anything. In all honestly, alcohol does help...well for me at least. When you're up there presenting, you become incredibly aware of your surroundings, which causes you stumble and stutter a lot. When I drink, my senses kind of go dull and you become more comfortable. Being semi-drunk makes you that much harder to multi-task as well, so your only focus will be just getting the presentation done right, rather than what some guy thinks about you.

    I had to do a speech presentation for a competition back in high school and I drank 2 bottles of beer before I got up there. It got a little obvious, but I come across as someone who's talking to the judges and the audience, rather than just reciting off of a paper or from your head.

    Try it.
  • edited March 2009
    Maybe try not to look at anyone in particular when doing a presentation. I look at the gaps between people's heads and smile.
  • edited March 2009
    @student: public speaking is not an easy thing to do for most people, and it doesn't mean you are any less academically-capable than anyone else.

    relax, and take your time when you're speaking. when you have something to say, you don't have to it all written out in your head. just think about the main points or even write down some keywords, so when you're talking you can glance down at a word and hopefully it'll help you remember what you want to say.

    and also it just takes practice. throw your ideas out there and don't think about what others might be thinking. with time, you just get more comfortable talking in class and you worry less about it, so that you can focus more on developing what you want to say. That Toastmasters thing sounds like a good thing to try as well.

    i wish i could help more. personally i've never really had an issue with public speaking, but that might be because I'm used to it since i have to speak in front of classes of students every week while they stare me down. the thing that i find works well is to go about speaking like you're casually speaking to a friend. so i know it's hard to do but give it your best shot-- not only could this help calm you down, it also creates an inviting tone in your voice so others feel receptive to what you have to say.
  • edited March 2009
    lol at 2 bottles of beer
    it takes at least 2 shots of hard to feel even a little bit buzzed
  • edited March 2009
    Relax, maybe? Or try not to overanalyze or overthink what you are about to say.
  • edited March 2009
    lazyGUY;49684 said:
    lol at 2 bottles of beer
    it takes at least 2 shots of hard to feel even a little bit buzzed
    1 shot = approx. 44 ml
    1 bottle of beer = 341 ml

    (40% alcohol)*(44ml) ≈ (5% alcohol)*(341ml)
  • edited March 2009
    or you can just think about exactly what you're going to say the night before. rehearse it well!~
  • edited March 2009
    Ether;49709 said:
    1 shot = approx. 44 ml
    1 bottle of beer = 341 ml

    (40% alcohol)*(44ml) ≈ (5% alcohol)*(341ml)
    lol my bad, but 44ml isnt much of a shot
    Ive never gotten a buzz off 2 beers either lol
  • edited March 2009
    lazyGUY;49684 said:
    lol at 2 bottles of beer
    it takes at least 2 shots of hard to feel even a little bit buzzed
    If you don't weight much or drink much you can get a little bit off a shot, maybe even a buzz off two. Good enough to loosen you up anyway.
  • edited March 2009
    i dont weigh much but i guess ive developed a tolerance lol
  • edited March 2009
    i am going to get so shit faced once this semester is over... i cant wait! haha
  • edited March 2009
    wait.....why not during lol? im planning for tomorrow ahah
  • edited March 2009
    cuz i have a presentation tomorrow, midterms next week along with 2more projects :(
    i have about 3-4 things due per week every week for the rest of semester with 3big projects due within the next 3weeks so zero time for my favorite pass time activity :p

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