Public Speaking (Alain Perez)

 

Before taking an online public speaking class, I did not think it would be very different from any other online course. I expected recorded lectures, discussion posts, and maybe a few presentations through a screen. I assumed it would be easier than speaking in person since I would not be standing in front of a room full of people. What I did not expect was how much I would actually learn about presenting, confidence, and communication, even in an online setting.

One of the first moments that really stood out to me was my first presentation. I found out that I was going first, which immediately made me nervous. Being first meant I could not watch anyone else before me or use their presentations as examples. Even though it was online, the pressure still felt real. Knowing that everyone would be watching my screen and listening to me made my heart beat faster than I expected.

Presenting online felt awkward at first. Instead of standing in front of a class, I was sitting in front of my camera, staring at my screen. Seeing myself talk made me more aware of everything I was doing. I worried about how I sounded, whether I was speaking too fast, and if anyone was actually paying attention. At the same time, I reminded myself that everyone else was in the same situation. Once I started talking, I realized that the nerves did not stop me from presenting. I got through it, and that alone made me feel more confident afterward.

That first presentation taught me that being nervous does not mean you are bad at public speaking. It just means you care about doing well. Over time, I learned that nerves are normal and that almost everyone experiences them, even if they do not show it. Instead of trying to eliminate my nerves completely, I focused on managing them. Practicing out loud, organizing my ideas clearly, and taking a moment to breathe before speaking helped more than I expected.

One of the biggest advantages of the online class was being able to learn from other people’s presentations. Watching my classmates present gave me insight into different presentation styles and techniques. Everyone presented differently, which helped me understand that there is no single correct way to give a presentation. Some people were very organized and followed a clear structure, while others were more conversational and relaxed.

I learned a lot just by paying attention to what kept me engaged as an audience member. Presentations where the speaker explained ideas clearly and spoke at a steady pace were easier to follow. When someone read directly from their slides or rushed through their points, it became harder to stay focused. From this, I learned that slides are meant to support what you are saying, not replace it. The best presentations felt natural, like the speaker actually understood the topic instead of memorizing information.

Another important lesson came from watching how people handled mistakes. Some presenters lost their place, stumbled over words, or paused to collect their thoughts. Instead of ruining the presentation, these moments often made the speaker seem more relatable. Seeing this helped me stop worrying so much about being perfect. I learned that small mistakes are normal and that most of the time, the audience does not even notice them.

The class also helped me understand different types of presentations. Some presentations were informative and focused on teaching the audience something new. Others were persuasive and aimed at changing opinions or encouraging action. There were also presentations that relied more on personal stories and experiences. Watching these different approaches showed me how the purpose of a presentation affects how it is delivered. You present differently when you are trying to inform than when you are trying to persuade, and that is something I became more aware of as the course continued.

One of the most important things I learned was the role of the audience. Even in an online class, the audience still matters. Just because you cannot always see reactions does not mean people are not listening. I learned to think about what the audience might already know, what they might find interesting, and how to explain ideas clearly for them. Focusing on the audience helped shift my attention away from my nerves and toward communication.

Presenting also helped me develop skills beyond public speaking. I became more aware of my tone, pacing, and clarity when explaining ideas. I learned how to organize my thoughts better and prepare more effectively. These skills started to show up in other classes, group discussions, and even everyday conversations.

By the end of the presentations,  I felt more comfortable presenting. I was still nervous at times, but the nerves were manageable. I knew how to prepare, how to stay calm, and how to keep going even if something did not go exactly as planned. The class showed me that public speaking is not about being perfect. It is about communicating clearly, understanding your audience, and growing more confident with practice.