Loud and Clear by Anugraha

Loud and Clear by Anugraha - August 2017 Scholarship Essay

A class on speech/public speaking might not be the go-to for most college professors. However, I would find a class that applied to me on a personal level to be more fulfilling. Sometimes, we think classes like these are irrelevant, presumed to be a waste of time. In reality, these classes can be a significant life propeller for students who suffer from fear of public speaking.

As a kid, I was pretty shy and avoided anything that made me step out of my own comfort zone. Often, people come across shy individuals and believe that they have nothing to contribute. However, my family and close friends knew I had more than enough to say. My shyness did not mean that I was incapable or lacked talent. Rather, I simply found it hard to share everything I was feeling in an unfamiliar surrounding. I would often overhear crude remarks such as, “oh, she left her tongue at home,” which I would try my best to shrug off. This was especially hard in school when there was a project I had to speak publicly on or I had to ask a question, but was too shy to raise my hand. While shy people have the desire to be social and make new friends, they have a barrier holding them back from achieving these aims. While I wanted to win this battle, I didn't know how.

Later, having overcome my challenge with the help of an amazing speech teacher in highschool, I often found myself being the first to introduce myself in a conversation. What we fail to realize is that there are many kids, well into their college career that still suffer the same obstacles as I underwent. Coupled with my love for teaching, I would truly enjoy teaching students on how to convey their ideas and thoughts with confidence. I would love to show them how to shape their message in a way that will stand out for the audience to understand and remember. Seeing students walk out with a confidence they lacked walking in would be the most rewarding aspect as a professor.