Have you experienced talking in front of an audience? Did you feel so nervous that you stutter or had forgotten what to say? You may have felt the same in front of a crowd. Personally, I wonder if I’ll ever overcome this fright. This has been detrimental in the advancement of my chosen. Even with a healthy dose of self-esteem, I can’t help getting stage fright.
I remember in primary school how I managed to be brave everytime I was asked to go on stage to host programs or to deliver a creative piece in class. I may have appeared confident then but little do they know that I was scared out of my wits at those moments.
In high school, speech classes didn’t allay my fears even with much practice or coaching from teachers. Although I made good marks from those classes, I would rather not go through those experiences again.
A greater part to survive one’s study in the university is to be able to express oneself. Expressing my own thoughts in front of the class, much more reciting to answer a question of the professor (worst if I don’t know the answer) was harrowing experience for me. Because of these, I have not been the best student in college.
My post-grad (med proper) experience had made me more confident in dealing with stage fright maybe because I was more matured in handling the situation. Nonetheless the fright was still there. Medical case studies and clinical reports are to be discussed regularly over conferences handled by strict and scrutinizing doctors who were hanging on to every word and waits for any false statement.
The closest I got to overcoming stage fright was when I became a broadcaster in a community radio station. In reality I have not overcame it since talking on-air is different when you don’t actually see your audience. While a certain nervousness my attack me occasionally particularly when I have to interview a local personality, the fright dispels as we go through the broadcast.
Now, here I am with clammy hands and sweaty forehead trying to compose myself before I deliver a presentation on a proposed community project. I am ever hoping I won’t make a mistake, stutter or experience mental-bloc; to overcome stage fright or at least appear confident just like before.
