Hi everyone!!

So today I will be talking about a phobia which 75% of people have (including me). It's known as "GLOSSOPHOBIA" which means the fear of public speaking. It is known to most people as stage fright.

In this situation, individuals freeze before their audience and might be unable to speak. They also might find that their mouths dry up or they start sweating and these cases are very embarrassing!!

I had stage fright and usually used to get frightened when I was on stage but I eventually overcame it. All this happened when I was chosen to be the year prefect and I had to make a 1 minute speech and present it before the audience. I became very scared because I knew I was very bad at this but I had to do it so I made my speech and the day finally came when I had to speak up before the audience. I was dead scared when they called up my name to speak. At first I couldn't open my mouth because all faces were looking at me but then I closed my eyes and pictured myself getting my respected badge in the Investiture Ceremony. As soon as I opened my eyes I felt that confidence inside me. I felt that something inside me told me that it will be alright and I spoke! I stammered a bit at first but after a few seconds it was okay.

Later that day, they announced the elected leaders and the year prefect was me! I remember my whole class jumping and screaming congratulations to me and I thought that it was all worth it.

5 WAYS TO OVERCOME GLOSSOPHOBIA:

• KNOWLEDGE- Find out more about the topic you're going to speak about.
• PRACTICE- Think about what you will be saying and practice it.
• CONVERSATION- Don't read your speech. Say it like your talking to your audience.
• FRIENDLY FACES- While speaking, look for friendly faces in the audience.
• CONFIDENCE- Be confident and have confidence in yourself while you speak.

-Vanshika Ramchandani