Choosing a Speech Class in College

I'm kinda nervous about the whole public speaking thing, I won't lie. To those who've taken such classes, what's the easiest speech class to take in college? Any advice or experience would be great!

It's completely normal to be anxious about public speaking – it's one of the most common fears out there! College speech classes are designed to help you overcome this fear in a supportive environment, so you're already taking a step in the right direction.

Finding the "easiest" speech class might not be the best approach, as different classes might be easier or harder depending on your natural strengths and interests. If you're into arguing and debating, a class on persuasive speech might come more naturally. If you enjoy storytelling, a class centered around narrative speech might be a better fit.

Here's a bit of advice from many students who have taken speech classes:

1) Practice: The more you practice your speech, the more comfortable you will be delivering it. Try to make time to rehearse your presentations in front of mirror or a small group of friends before delivering it to your class.

2) Prepare: Do your research and know your material thoroughly. This can help you feel more confident and reduce potential anxiety.

3) Be Authentic: Choose topics that you are genuinely passionate and interested in. Your enthusiasm can help focus your anxiety in a positive way and engage your audience.

4) Utilize visuals: Enhance your speech with powerpoints, handouts, etc., which can also take a bit of the focus off of you.

5) Use Relaxation Techniques: Deep breathing, mindfulness, and other relaxation techniques can help manage pre-speech jitters.

6) Feedback as Friend: Most importantly, treat any feedback you get as an opportunity to learn and improve for next time, rather than as criticism.

Many students find that their confidence and skills significantly improve after taking a speech class. Good luck! You can do it.