Anxiety. (sleep, take, long, get)

[sweetdreamerx0]

Its my 2nd yr of school and I have to take speech because its required for my major but the problem is I DREAD public speaking! I shake and read extra slow, I'm so scared I'm going to embarrass my self....how do I overcome the fear?

[IndigoLight]

Practice your speech in front of a mirror over and over again. Use friends as guinea pig audience
You know, life tends to do that, throw things we don't like our way so we can overcome them.
It's priceless for personal growth and self-esteem.
You will be fine. The first time will be the scariest, but the more you do it the easier it gets.
I am speaking from experience. I used to be very uncomfortable in front of an audience and guess what? I got a job where large part of my duties involved public presentations. I prepared well at home, had my speech prepared, had my index cards done AND numbered (so in case I get interrupted and lose my train of thought the cards will help me get back on track), practiced in front of a mirror and used my friend as a pretend audience.
Once you do a dry run several times, you'll feel more at ease doing it.
I don't know what you are reading and if you have a choice of the material,
but if you do - make sure it is not too long or too boring

P.S. I am thinking someone will recommend Xanax prior to presentation, but I am against use of prescription drugs for every stressful situation. It's too easy to get hooked on certain meds or they become a crutch and people start believing they can't function without them. We need to learn to overcome our fears. It builds character.
You will thank yourself for it later

[Dollydo]

I am with Indigo, use the mirror technique. Pace is also very important, try not to rush through it, and practice voice inflection, a monatone speaker will put the audience to sleep.

Lastly, it is better to pause, than to do the Umm, Aah fill in. I once counted 52 Umms in a half hour speech, I was so focused on the counting that I did not pay any attention to what the speaker said.

You can do this!

[sweetdreamerx0]

Thank you for the sweet responses I agree that facing your fears help build character and need to get over my phobia of public speaking, I don't know what I am so afraid of anyway