Daniela De Velasco- 1st blog

Recently I started an online speech class, I wasn’t sure what to expect, especially when it comes to presentations.My group went up first then I watched the other groups present. I usually dislike online classes because I feel they are distant, but I found myself really interested and engaged during the presentations my classmates gave, I learned so much! not just about giving a speech, but also about myself as a speaker, a teammate  and a listener . I was thinking it would just be about learning how to speak in front of people, but through the presentations and the group work, I felt less nervous, and learned that public speaking is only a part of the bigger picture. Also being able to listen actively , collaborate with others, and communicate clearly in a team setting is just as important.

Each presentation focused on a different part of public speaking. From understanding the craft , to learning how to build confidence , to communicating effectively with different types of audiences. Some classmate spoke about developing credibility, while other classmates talked about the uncertainty that comes with speaking in public. Even though we weren’t in the same physical classroom. I felt connected with my group and what was being shared because it is relevant to real experiences. It wasn’t just about learning techniques, it was about understanding why those techniques matter and how they can help us become more effective and confident speakers. As a person that gets extremely nervous when it comes to presenting, doing it as a group made me feel way better knowing I wasn’t the only one that was nervous, I enjoyed the process of planning everything with my teammates , it reminds me how important teamwork is.

A topic a classmate shared that really stood out to me was communication to cooperate. which taught me that speaking isn’t just about getting your point across, it’s about listening and responding thoughtfully. That helped me become more aware of how I interact in both personal and academic conversations. I started thinking more about how to build understanding, not just to make a point. It also helped me become a better listener during class. I found myself more engaged, not just focusing on my nerves and thinking what to say next, but actually taking in what others were saying. This reminded me that there’s no right or wrong way to speak or respond,  it’s about what feels right to you. Another topic a classmate mentioned was “uncertainties of public speaking”,  It was a great reminder that everyone makes mistakes (even experienced speakers). What matters most is how you recover and keep going. That gave me a lot of reassurance because I tend to panic over the small errors like stuttering , but now I’m learning to keep going and not to let one moment ruin the whole experience.

Another group talked about , “confidence in the day of a speech” As someone who struggles with anxiety when presenting, this one hit close to home. The presenter gave practical tips , like breathing exercises, preparing ahead of time, visualizing success, and even choosing clothes that make you feel more presentable and confident. It showed me how powerful presence can be. These small things make a big difference in how i prepare myself mentally and emotionally before I speak. Feeling good about how I present myself definitely helps me feel more confident. This helped me realize confidence isn’t something you either have or don’t, it’s something you can work toward. Another classmate mentioned “understanding your audience”, this helped shift my perspective too. I use to think of an audience as one big , scary group watching me, but now I see them more as people I’m communicating with, not performing for. Learning how different audiences (supportive, neutral or skeptical) respond differently made me think more about how to adapt my approach. It gave me more control over how I prepare and made public speaking feel less intimidating. I always thought I needed to sound perfect or use fancy words for people to listen. But what I learned about credibility is about being honest , prepared and passionate. When you know what your talking about and trust your group, It helps take some pressure off. I don’t need to be perfect or flawless, I just need to be well- informed with what I’m saying and authentic.

All these experiences didn’t just teach me how to speak, they taught me how to connect. And that’s what public speaking really is. Connection , whether it’s with an audience, a group or even just one other person, It’s about being understood and making others feel understood too. Overall, I really enjoyed the presentations in this class. They taught me valuable lessons about public speaking , but also about listening, teamwork, and personal growth. I appreciate how real and relatable the topics were, and i’m grateful that I had the chance to learn from my classmates. This class so far is helping me face one of my fears, and while i’m still a work in progress, I now feel more aware and more hopeful about my journey as a speaker and as a communicator in general.