1. Why Public Speaking Feels Like a Horror Movie
Let’s be honest. For many students, public speaking feels less like a classroom activity and more like starring in a personal horror film. The moment your name is called, your heart starts racing, your palms get sweaty, and suddenly you forget even your own name. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Public speaking anxiety is extremely common, especially among students. The real question is: can practice actually fix this, or are we all just doomed to panic forever?
2. What Is Communication Apprehension (a.k.a. Stage Fright on Steroids)?
Communication apprehension is the fancy academic term for that overwhelming fear you feel when speaking in front of others. It is not just “a bit nervous.” It is the full package: shaky hands, blank mind, awkward pauses, and that one slide you suddenly cannot explain. Some students even report feeling as if their brains just log out mid-presentation. So yes, it is serious. And unfortunately, it does not magically disappear just because your lecturer says, “Relax.”
3. Why Do Students Freak Out During Presentations?
There are many reasons students fear public speaking. Some worry about being judged. Others are afraid of making mistakes. Some simply do not like being stared at by 30 silent faces. And while many people think, “Oh, it’s because my English is not good enough,” research shows that even students with good English still feel anxious (Kho & Ting, 2023). So no, improving your grammar alone will not turn you into a confident speaker overnight. Sorry.
4. So… Does Practice Actually Help?
Here is the good news: practice is not just something lecturers say to torture you. It actually works. Think of it this way. The first time you present, everything feels unfamiliar and scary. The second time was slightly less scary. By the fifth time, you are like, “Okay, I might survive this.” Practice helps your brain realise that presenting is not a life-threatening situation, even though it feels like one. Over time, your fear decreases, and your confidence grows.
5. What Does Research Say? (Yes, There Is Evidence)
A study on polytechnic students found something very interesting. Most students had moderate levels of anxiety (so basically, everyone was struggling a bit), but those who had more public speaking experience were less anxious than those who had none (Kho & Ting, 2023). In simple terms: the more you do it, the less scary it becomes. Groundbreaking? Maybe not. But it is nice to know that science agrees with your lecturer for once.
6. Why Practice Works (It’s Not Magic, It’s Science)
Practice works for several reasons. First, it makes things familiar. And humans are generally less afraid of things they recognise. Second, it helps you get better at speaking, so you do not panic as much about what to say next. Third, it builds confidence. Each time you survive a presentation without collapsing, your brain goes, “Hey, maybe I can do this.” Slowly, that terrifying experience becomes manageable. Not fun yet, but at least manageable.
7. Final Thoughts: No Escape, But There Is Hope
So, does practice reduce public speaking anxiety? Yes, it does. But here is the catch: you actually have to do the practice. Watching YouTube videos about confidence does not count. Reading tips does not count. You need to stand up, speak, panic a little, survive, and repeat. For lecturers, this means giving students more chances to practise in a supportive environment. For students, it means accepting that confidence is built, not born.
In short: the more you present, the less you panic. Eventually.
Source: Kho, M. G.-W., & Ting, S.-H. (2023). English proficiency, public speaking experience, and communication apprehension in oral presentation of polytechnic students. Leksema: Jurnal Bahasa dan Sastra, 8(1), 55–66. https://doi.org/10.22515/ljbs.v8i1.6270
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