MY EXPERIENCE

Going into this public speaking project, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. Public speaking has always been something I felt kind of neutral about. It's not my favorite thing in the world, but not my biggest fear either. I knew this project would involve both presenting and watching a lot of other presentations, and I wasn’t sure whether I would enjoy that part or just get bored halfway through. Looking back now, I can say that the project surprised me in a good way. While not every presentation was equally engaging, the experience overall helped me understand public speaking on a deeper level and made me more aware of my own strengths and weaknesses as a speaker.

One thing I appreciated about the presentations was how different everyone’s styles were. Even when people were working with similar topics or formats, no two presentations felt exactly the same. Some people were more confident and energetic, while others were quieter but very thoughtful in how they explained their ideas. Watching this made me realize that there isn’t just one “right” way to be a good public speaker. I used to think that being good at public speaking meant being loud, outgoing, and super confident, but this project showed me that clarity, preparation, and authenticity matter just as much, if not more.

That being said, I didn’t enjoy every presentation equally. Some presentations felt rushed or unorganized, which made it harder to stay focused as an audience member. A few speakers relied too heavily on their slides or notes, which sometimes made the presentation feel more like they were reading to us instead of talking with us. As an audience member, I noticed how quickly my attention drifted when there wasn’t much eye contact or variation in tone. Even though this was sometimes frustrating, it actually helped me learn what not to do when it was my turn to present.

Working on my own public speaking project was probably the most valuable part of the experience. Preparing my presentation forced me to think about things I don’t normally pay attention to, like how I stand, how fast I talk, and how I structure my points so they make sense to other people. I realized that I tend to speak faster when I’m nervous, which can make my ideas less clear. Knowing this ahead of time helped me consciously slow down and focus on pacing while I was presenting.

During my presentation, I felt nervous at first, but once I got into it, it became easier to relax. I noticed that when I made eye contact and actually focused on what I was saying instead of worrying about how I looked or sounded, everything flowed better. I also realized how important practice is. The parts of my presentation that I practiced the most felt more natural, while the parts I didn’t rehearse as much felt slightly awkward. This showed me that confidence in public speaking doesn’t just come from personality, it comes from preparation.

Watching my classmates present after doing my own presentation felt different than watching them before. I found myself being more understanding and less judgmental, because I knew firsthand how nerve-racking it can be to stand up and talk in front of a group. I also became more aware of the effort people put into their presentations, even if they weren’t perfect. This project made me realize that public speaking is a skill that everyone is actively working on, not something you either have or don’t have.

One thing I really enjoyed was seeing how much people improved over time. Some speakers who seemed nervous or unsure earlier on became more confident in later presentations. That was encouraging because it showed that practice really does make a difference. It also made me feel better about my own mistakes, because I realized that improvement is part of the process. Nobody started off perfect, and that’s okay.

Overall, I enjoyed this project more than I expected to. While public speaking still isn’t something I would say I love, I feel a lot more comfortable with it now. This project helped me understand that public speaking is not about being flawless, but about communicating ideas clearly and connecting with your audience. It also taught me to be a better listener, since watching other presentations helped me recognize what keeps an audience engaged.

In the end, this project didn’t just help me with public speaking, it helped me gain confidence in expressing myself. I feel more prepared for future situations where I’ll need to speak in front of others, whether that’s in another class, at work, or in everyday life. Even though the presentations weren’t always perfect or entertaining, the experience itself was valuable, and I’m glad I had the opportunity to learn from both my own presentation and everyone else’s. 














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