by Regulus » December 10th, 2013, 10:12 pm
Okay. I have the table taken apart, my closet cleaned out, and a whole bunch of stuff organized. I set up the second modem and router, and the new network is up and running for when I leave. Everything I can remember is good to go for the apartment, too. Today, I also finished my calculus test and gave my presentation for physics, both with surprisingly pleasant results. Now all I have to do is make the note cards for my final speech, make my "cheat sheets" for my other finals, and go to take my finals. Then I'll just need to switch some stuff over and I'll be totally ready.
Phew. I got this.
Now, I have to wonder why it is that giving my more relaxed "practice" speech for my public speaking class was a thousand times harder than giving the same speech to my physics class. The former was one of the worst speeches I've ever given. I couldn't think, I couldn't keep my words straight, and it was one of the most awkward experiences ever, even though I was prepared and knew what to say. Everyone seemed so bored and uninterested, which obliterated all the enthusiasm I thought I had. I almost wanted to give up completely after all the blank stares, and that's something that's never happened to me before.
But today, when I gave the same speech to my physics class for the final project, it was so easy that I didn't even feel nervous at all. It was the same topic, but I modified the content to be more in-depth and science-y. The only other difference between the two speeches was the room, the time, and the demographic of the audience--I wasn't confusing or boring the physics students by talking about the amazing properties of a really cool material. Even though I was being graded on that speech and it was more in depth, it was so much more natural.
Knowing that people are interested in what you're talking about makes such a huge difference in public speaking; it's almost unbelievable. First rule of public speaking: know your topic. Second rule of public speaking: have an audience that cares about your topic.