Ashley Martinez- Assignment#1 - blog

Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been taking a public speaking class fully online. I want to say I really like it so far and I’ve already learned quite a bit in such a short period of time. At first, I thought a class like this might feel simple after all, we all speak every single day. But public speaking, I’ve quickly realized, is far more than just opening your mouth and saying words. It requires confidence, planning, awareness of your audience, and a lot of control over your voice and body language. 

Over the course of just a few classes, we’ve gone through our textbook and presented on different chapters. Each part of the class has pushed me out of my comfort zone in one way or another.  Presentations, however, forced me to put that knowledge into practice. I realized that reading about speaking techniques is one thing, but actually applying them when your classmates are watching is another. Still, I believe everyone in the class did great. Most of us are new to college and this was our very first college class, we all shared the same nervousness.

Some may think public speaking is easy since the word speaking is in it, but I’ve learned it’s much more complicated than that. When you’re just chatting with friends, you don’t really think about your speed or tone you just talk. But in public speaking, there are so many things to keep track of at the same time. You can’t talk too fast or too slow. You have to make sure your words are clear, that you’re making eye contact even virtually, and that you aren’t rushing because of nerves. Sometimes I catch myself getting excited, and when that happens, I speed up without even realizing it. Then I lose track of my pacing. One of the hardest lessons for me has been reminding myself to slow down, breathe, and maintain a steady rhythm regardless of how nervous or enthusiastic I feel.

When my group was chosen to present first, the nerves really kicked in. For most of us including myself it was our first college presentation. We didn’t have anyone’s example to go off of, which made it feel a little intimidating. I think my group did amazing. We supported one another and worked well as a team. Preparing for the presentation together made the experience much less stressful than if I had been presenting alone. 

I also appreciated how much feedback I was able to gather from my teammates. While practicing, I would ask them questions about my pacing , They gave me honest feedback, which helped me improve before the real presentation. Moving forward, I know that if I ever have to present alone, I’ll still be able to rely on my classmates for advice and encouragement. That sense of community makes the whole process of public speaking less intimidating.

Once our group was done, it was everyone else’s turn to present. I could guess that they were just as nervous as we were, but if I’m being honest, you couldn’t really tell. Group 2 covered chapters 4, 6, 7, and 8. They did a really good job of presenting the material clearly and with confidence. Their chapters focused on building the foundation of a strong presentation, including preparation and organization. I liked how they didn’t just read from their slides but explained the information in their own words. It made it easier to follow along, and it kept me engaged the entire time.

After Group 2 came Group 3, who presented chapters 9, 10, 11, and 12. I was impressed with how confident this group was. They didn’t overload us with too much information, which I really appreciated. Instead, they explained things in a way that was easy to understand . Their chapters were about strategies for engaging the audience and using visual aids effectively. I found myself thinking about how I could apply their pointers to my own speaking. 

Finally, Group 4 presented chapters 13 through 17, which focused on the different types of presentations. Once again I think they did a great job explaining everything as simple as it could be.

Looking back, I’m really glad that this is one of the first classes I’m taking in college. Not only am I gaining useful knowledge, but I’m also building confidence in myself. Before this class, the thought of speaking in front of others even online made me nervous. Now, I see it as a challenge I can handle, especially with practice. I know that public speaking will help me far beyond the classroom. In school, it will make me better at presentations, group projects, and class discussions. In my career, strong communication skills will be essential, no matter what path I choose. Even in my personal life, being able to speak with confidence will help me in everyday interactions.

One of the most valuable things I’ve learned is that public speaking isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being prepared, staying calm, and connecting with your audience. Mistakes will happen you might forget a point or stumble over your words but the key is how you recover and keep going. That lesson has taken some pressure off of me. I don’t have to be flawless I just have to be authentic and clear.

At the end of the day, I’m proud of myself and my classmates. Each group did a great job, and together we covered the most important aspects of the book. We each brought our own style to the presentations, and I think that made the class even more engaging. I feel grateful to my group in particular, because working with them made my first college presentation such a positive experience. Overall, I can already tell that the skills I’m learning in this class will stay with me for a long time.