Students have shared feelings for public speaking

Jessica Teixeira – Special to the Southern News

After walking down the aisle of desks, Jill Tuschhoff placed her written notes on the easel facing the class, and began delivering her oral presentation.

Tuschhoff, junior special education major, said she is definitely one to get nervous before giving speeches and presentations in front of the class.

“In front of adults, I do have a fear,” said Tuschhoff. “In front of students, not so much.”

Tuschhoff said she was never this nervous before presentations in high school, but now, doing any presentation in front of a professor makes her a bit intimidated, even if she is prepared.

“If a teacher wasn’t there I would be totally fine,” said Tuschoff. “I really can’t describe the feeling.”

Tuschhoff said even though she has given a number of oral presentations since her freshman year at Southern, they still get her anxious.

According to a SurveyUSA News Poll, 40 percent of men and 42 percent of women said they have a fear of public speaking.

“Depending on the class, I get nervous as soon as the professor assigns them,” said Tuschhoff.

Luke Herzog, sophomore psychology major, said although he has a minor in theatre in which his acting  requires him to speak in front of large crowds, public speaking in classrooms still catches his nerves.

“There is a difference with acting because you are not really being yourself,” said Herzog. “You are a becoming a character whereas public speaking, you are alone up there.”

Herzog said he gets particularly nervous speaking in a classroom setting because it’s filled with students his age—all looking at him, all possibly judging him.

“I literally freak out when they assign them,” said Herzog. “Even before researching it, I will freak out over what I am going to say.

Herzog said he thinks the initial reaction between all students is sudden anxiety.

However, Marcelle Morrisey, sophomore elementary and special education major, said she has no fear when she steps onto any stage.

“Normally whenever I go on to speak at any event, I get anxious,” said Morrisey. “But the second I begin speaking, it all goes away and I become really comfortable.”

Morrisey said she understands many students do suffer high anxiety from giving oral presentations or even the idea of having to give one.

“I definitely think they should give one or two in their time at school,” said Morrisey. “But if it causes them stress where they just cannot, they should be given another option.”

Herzog agrees with Morrisey about giving some students alternatives to presenting.

“In special cases, yes, I think alternatives should be offered,” said Herzog. “A professor could speak with them and find another way whether presenting after class or something.”

Regardless of the nerves, Morrisey, Tuschhoff, and Herzog agree oral presentations are essential in the classroom.

Tuschhoff said oral presentations like the one she just finished cause unnecessary stress on a student, but they are overall beneficial in teaching students about the real world.

“Students are going to be talking to someone everyday whether its work or school,” said Morrisey. “Depending on what you are going to do with your life, it prepares you.”

Experiencing public speaking all throughout high school and transitioning into college has proven to be a confidence booster, said Morrisey.

“At the end of every presentation I get a feeling of accomplishment,” said Morrisey. “That satisfaction that I did it, it wasn’t so bad, and I’m ready for the next one.”