Syllabus Speech

August 28, 2007
I sweated like a pig in my white blouse the first day I taught. The class lasted 20 minutes because of my public speaking fear. The students were grateful.

It was the first day. I took a deep breath and started. I introduced myself. I mispronounced my name! I was so nervous. I never imagined I would be giving the syllabus speech for the same class I took when I was nineteen. Unfortunately, I wasn’t doing a good job. Why were they all staring at me? Could they hear me? My tongue was numb. I. Was. Sweating. I wondered what would happen if I left – just until I caught my breath? I couldn’t remember anything I said. My voice cracked. Just get through the syllabus, Julie. Keep going. Keep going. You can do this. Oops. I went too fast. A one-page outline only took ten minutes? Have them talk. Good idea…