Collaborating+Presenting+College

    I was nervous about working in big groups and, most of all, about giving a speech in front of so many people when I initially started my speech lesson. It was intimidating to think about standing in front of my students, many of whom seemed more experienced and self-assured. But I was aware that these chores and assignments would be essential to my time in college and, ultimately, to my career. Collaborating with six other people, our goal was to faithfully recreate the chapters from our textbook on public speaking.

    We worked through every step of the process together, from organizing and brainstorming to writing and editing to finally getting ready to showcase our work. I learned the value of communication and teamwork from this experience. Because each person in our group brought different strengths and viewpoints to the table, we were able to comprehend the subject matter more thoroughly. Along with the material I gave and the subtleties of delivering a great speech, I also realized how important teamwork is in achieving a common objective. I eventually learned how to control group dynamics, settle disputes, and make sure that everyone was heard. My confidence has greatly increased as a result of our collaboration, and I now recognize the need of teamwork in both academic and practical settings. I now see how these abilities will benefit me in upcoming work and improve my ability to collaborate in any environment.

Planning

    I understood right away that we would eventually get to a place where our schedules could not align. We scheduled meetings, but most of them were not followed through on, even with our best of intentions. Like me, I imagine all of them are juggling work, personal obligations, and the overall turmoil of daily life while attending college. All I can assume is that their problems were similar to mine. We had to be efficient with the time and resources we had, so we spent a lot of time communicating via our group chat. Despite the potential for some time investment, this approach turned out to be the most effective and practical one for assisting us with the project.

    When we couldn't meet in person, the group chat helped us to stay in touch, exchange ideas, and monitor the tasks at hand. Though occasionally there were misunderstandings and responses were slow, it was still better than nothing. It showed me that, when used correctly, even the most simple tools can be the most successful. I discovered from this that college is not what the media portrays it to be. Social media and movies frequently present an idealized image of college life, complete with lots of free time, carefree studying, and social gatherings. College actually seems a lot more like high school, but with greater autonomy and accountability.

    While everything is structured in high school, everything in college is prearranged, including deadlines, assignments, and syllabuses. You have to take responsibility and manage your own schedule, set priorities, and make things happen rather than waiting for a teacher to spoon-feed you the next lesson. I learned from this experience that although college offers greater independence, it also requires more personal accountability and self-reliance, and this project truly tested that.

Thoughts on Speech

    As a first-year college student, taking a speech class can be a very stressful experience. It's understandable that taking a speech class during my first semester would be a particularly difficult obstacle for me given my generally shy nature, especially mentally. My self-conscious mind struggles with the added burden of being examined and analyzed by so many classmates, who are not only older but also probably have considerably more college experience. I'm sure I'll have a surge of nervousness before each presentation that comes after one I've already given, continuing through after the talk has ended. It is similar to the tense, anxious feeling you have while you are standing in line for a roller coaster. But I expect to progressively acquire confidence as I get to know my peers and the classroom setting better. I think that this semester, with each speech I give, my abilities to present and write an appropriate speech will gradually but surely improve. I understand that practice makes perfect, and with enough effort, I can eventually turn this nervousness into a more pleasant experience and advance as a speaker and a person.

Conclusion

    To sum up, the speaking lesson has been a life-changing event for me, changing the way I view self-expression and collaboration. I was first intimidated by the idea of working in a big group and giving a presentation in front of my classmates, but I soon realized how important communication was and how different abilities each person could bring to the table. Even in situations where in-person meetings are challenging, the difficulties we encountered with scheduling issues and the rigors of student life have taught me the importance of efficient communication.

    I gained an understanding of the value of listening and making concessions in addition to learning how to effectively argue for my ideas as I worked through the complexities of group dynamics. This study has shed light on the realities of college life, which include the need for personal responsibility and flexibility in response to changing circumstances, even though it also gives independence. I've learned to accept my anxiousness when it comes to public speaking and see it as a normal component of the process of learning that can result in improvement. With every speech I give, I get one step closer to conquering my shyness and becoming a confident orator. I am appreciative of the priceless lessons I have gained about teamwork, responsibility, and personal development because I know these abilities will be useful to me in my future pursuits and business dealings. This event has improved my entire college experience in addition to molding the way I approach public speaking, furthermore I do expect to see and hear different and more diverse groups of students not only in my speech class but in my other college classes who are willing to present their ideas for me to learn from.