Developing a Voice


When I first heard about the journal club project, I was very excited yet intensely anxious at the same time. This assignment proved to me like a challenge and also a reflection of my personal growth. As someone who grew up very shy, I was often the last person to raise my hand in class to participate in a graded discussion. However, it wasn’t until I realized halfway through middle school that public speaking was a very important skill to have regardless of what path you go in – so the climb commenced. After persistently trying to discover my own voice, as cliché as that sounds, I was finally confident enough to participate actively in class in high school. More and more, I have realized that the ability to present and speak actively is really empowering.

This journal club presentation really aligned with my beliefs, but it was also surprisingly frightening. I felt as if it was kind of a wake up call, as I realized that I haven’t had an opportunity to present in front of the whole class since high school. While preparing for the presentation, I rehearsed lines again and again and analyzed each figure thoroughly. I wrote out the important points that I would make but little did I know that on the day of the presentation, it felt natural.

When I walked up to the front of the classroom, clicker in hand, I took a deep breath. Intermittently, a thought passed through my brain and my brain spazzed out. “Wow, this is really happening…” “Oh my gosh, Nova, it’s like you’re back in second grade.” Thoughts of frenzy raced through my head, and I felt the blood rush into my face and my fingers get cold. However, right after I started speaking, I suddenly felt a wave of calmness.

Rather than following the script that I carefully crafted, I looked at the audience and words just came out of my mouth. Not saying that I should have actually followed my script, but it was such a liberating experience. I think in that moment when a conscious decision was made to disregard my notes, a part of me felt like I had actually grown. I am looking forward to learning how to improve my communication skills and gradually develop a stronger voice.


- Nova

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