My school is running a inter-school programme where some students have to go to a different school and discuss about literature.And from my class the teacher has chosen ME!! because she thinks that I'm so damn good!So now i have to stand in front of a hall full of unknown people who will be staring at me and Discuss about a topic! How on earth am i going to do that when I'm even scared to simply walk into a room full of people?! I told my teacher that it's impossible for me but she just won't listen! I've also told my parents about it and they think it's a great opportunity for me!! Yeah right!great opportunity to embarass myself in front of all those people!!! and i don't even have enough time to take mental preparation for it,cos it's on Friday! I'm crying right now.What should i do?Please please help!!
Help!!!
- Thread starter FriendlessGirl
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Dead_on_Arrival
Well-known member
I would seriously contemplate speaking to you principal. Your teacher should not dismiss your feelings out of hand like that. Do you have a school councilor you can speak to aswell?
I don't think the principal would oppose her and my councilor thinks its a good chance to expose myself to my fears!
Vampayah88
Well-known member
Even plenty of confident people, celebrities, are scared to death of public speaking. Tell your teacher that in order to get over ur fears u must be eased in to it, u know, little steps, not suddenly be freaking thrown in front of a hall full of people and expected to give a good speech without having a panic attack and passing out. Explain to your teacher that u just KNOW u are going to have a panic attack, that youve gone through stuff like this before(even though u didnt) and its just too much for u now. Maybe even shed a few tears.
Do you have your speech ready? how many minutes are u expected to speak?
Do you have your speech ready? how many minutes are u expected to speak?
Thirty minutes,total thirty minutes! and no I'm not prepared at all.I told her all that but she just dismissed me saying i worry too much!
Dead_on_Arrival
Well-known member
Like Phocas said, just flat out refuse. They can't exactly chain you to the podium
Vampayah88
Well-known member
Learn to say NO when want to. Through life, people will ask of you things you dont like, and if you are gonna say yes against your wishes every time,you will give the opportunity to these people to do with you whatever they like, play you like a marionette.
Tell your teacher this is serious, that it is a medical problem and that you do not want to have a panic attack, throw up in front of everyone and pass out, and when u say that, be as firm as possible. Your mental health is more important than giving 30 minute long speeches (wtf not even the president is expected to speak that long).
If shes gonna get upset, then so be it, shes gonna get over it.. NOBODY can force you to do this if you dont want to. YOU and your HEALTH are more important than anything else. you tell her that.
Tell your teacher this is serious, that it is a medical problem and that you do not want to have a panic attack, throw up in front of everyone and pass out, and when u say that, be as firm as possible. Your mental health is more important than giving 30 minute long speeches (wtf not even the president is expected to speak that long).
If shes gonna get upset, then so be it, shes gonna get over it.. NOBODY can force you to do this if you dont want to. YOU and your HEALTH are more important than anything else. you tell her that.
simpsons2007
Well-known member
Just picture everyone naked. Lol. 
But on a more serious note. Just flat out refuse to do it. Because your mental health and wellbeing is a lot more important than stand up in front of a load of people giving a speech. Being forced into something you are clearly not ready for may set you back and only delay your progress at getting better.
Try and make an appointment to see your doctor or therapist telling them how you feel about doing it. And tell the you're not physically and mentally ready to do it and ask if they can write you a note saying that. So you can hand it to your teacher.
If you are unable to get out of doing it. I wish you all the the luck in the world to do it. No matter how you feel or what happens up on the stage try and keep your head held high. Everyone on here is behind you all the way.
But on a more serious note. Just flat out refuse to do it. Because your mental health and wellbeing is a lot more important than stand up in front of a load of people giving a speech. Being forced into something you are clearly not ready for may set you back and only delay your progress at getting better.
Try and make an appointment to see your doctor or therapist telling them how you feel about doing it. And tell the you're not physically and mentally ready to do it and ask if they can write you a note saying that. So you can hand it to your teacher.
If you are unable to get out of doing it. I wish you all the the luck in the world to do it. No matter how you feel or what happens up on the stage try and keep your head held high. Everyone on here is behind you all the way.
Thanks everyone! You've all been great help. Anyhow i got out of it,talked to my teacher and said i just couldn't do it. She got really mad at me and said that I'm always hiding behind stupid excuses,she also behaved very bad in class today.But it was simply impossible so i guess i did the right thing?
Dead_on_Arrival
Well-known member
Well done for standing up to the B****. I hate people like that. I think you should get your therapist to contact the school and have a word with someone there. Your teacher should not be saying things like "hiding behind stupid excuses". You are suffering with a problem just like anyone who has a physical disability. Just because you can't see it doesn't mean its not there. She should be made to realise this.
Proud of you
Proud of you
When I used to go to school I also had to do speeches and talk about literature and other boring subjects Unfortunately it was part of the program for the whole year so there wasn't much I could do, unless I want to fail the class...
Anyway, over time it gets a little better, it's still hard and I always tried to avoid it, but I got a little bit more confident over time, but like someone else said on this topic, it must be done very slowly... Even though it was hard for me some people would clap and especially my closest friend would say I did ok/good... But I recon what you would have to do was a lot more difficult and I applaud you for talking to your teacher even though she was stupid... take your time!
Unfortunately it was part of the program for the whole year so there wasn't much I could do, unless I want to fail the class...Anyway, over time it gets a little better, it's still hard and I always tried to avoid it, but I got a little bit more confident over time, but like someone else said on this topic, it must be done very slowly... Even though it was hard for me some people would clap and especially my closest friend would say I did ok/good... But I recon what you would have to do was a lot more difficult and I applaud you for talking to your teacher even though she was stupid... take your time!
Agent_Violet
Well-known member
a teacher actually said 'hiding behind stupid excuses'??? OMG let some raggedy b*tch say that to my son...oh my...there'd be hell to pay. ESPECIALLY if he had SA.
what is WRONG with people??? no offense to anyone who is a teacher here but teachers are NOT what they used to be when i was in school.
what is WRONG with people??? no offense to anyone who is a teacher here but teachers are NOT what they used to be when i was in school.
Waybuloo
Well-known member
Your teacher sounds mighty ignorant and very immature imo. What school do you goto? Where is this? I can sense that you might be faced with all this opposition from your teacher, principal and school counsellor as well, not a good environment to be in. I would try and get an outside therapist/child therapist to deal with your problems, including public speaking. Get a professional opinion on how to confront your school. There is a chance that they might all be just ignorant, but they could also just be picking on you because they know you have a problem. Yes some teachers can be sadistic.
To be honest I would never say to anyone to just give it ago and man up, because I did that at a speech in class and had a break down which I've never recovered from. It's been years and I still shake when people look at me. Yes it may make you, but it can also break you. Easing into it is the best thing to do, only increase the intensity of the exposure when you feel comfortable.
To be honest I would never say to anyone to just give it ago and man up, because I did that at a speech in class and had a break down which I've never recovered from. It's been years and I still shake when people look at me. Yes it may make you, but it can also break you. Easing into it is the best thing to do, only increase the intensity of the exposure when you feel comfortable.
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