There comes that time when we have to take that college speech class.  Most of us wait until our last year to take it because we dread it so much.  We get nervous, don’t feel like we can memorize a whole speech, and we’re afraid of embarrassing ourselves up there at the podium.  Speech isn’t for everyone, but unfortunately a lot of college students must take it to graduate and receive their major.

If you’re about to give your first speech, and you’re looking for tips to help make it go more smoothly, continue reading below.

Everyone else - First of all, you have to remember that everyone else is just as nervous as you are.  No body wants to get up there because they’re worried just like you are.

Just a class – You also have to remember that it is just a class.  No one is going to remember your speech forever and constantly think about like you think they’re going to.  Not to mention, no one even pays attention.  How long do you honestly listen to someone’s until your mind drifts?  No one will listen to the whole thing.

Breathe – Take a deep breath and just laugh at this.  Once this class is over you’ll never have to take a speech class again.  Have a good attitude, get it over with and stop worrying.

Posture – Make sure you have good posture while you’re giving a speech. Keep your feet flat on the ground, don’t sway, and stand up tall.  The only time people pay attention is when you bring notice to yourself.  People will only look if you keep doing something to draw attention to yourself.  Therefore if you don’t do these things they won’t have anything to look at.

Note cards – If you can, bring note cards with you.  Write out your entire speech on your cards, that way if you get stuck you can refer to your note cards for help.

Practice – It’s that simple.  You need to practice if you want to do good.  Make sure you talk out your whole speech in front of your friends and family, and you refer to your visuals aids.  A lot of students don’t practice and you can tell because they will forget to make reference to their visual aids!

College speech is a class that isn’t like by most college students.  It is thought of as stressful, embarrassing, and something that is very challenging.  Although, it will only be those things if you make it that way.  Consider a few of these tips and you’ll do just fine!