Dreading Next Wednesday

I am currently taking Oral Communications at STLCC. I figured it would be good to get the class out of the way before I leave for college because I will need it either way. So, it’s our third week since classes started and my first speech will be this Wednesday. It’s a four minute speech–which for most public speakers–would seem like a piece of cake. Well, I hate speeches. I for some reason am okay with presentations because we get to plan them out ahead of time. Yet, I’m not okay with speeches? I know what you’re thinking. What are you talking about, you can prepare for a speech ahead of time too. While that is true, there’s a certain type of relief knowing that you will have a presentation in which you can look back at your PowerPoint or maybe even have another person presenting with you. However, I am absolutely dreading this speech. I am in full panic mode because I feel like I will go up there and screw it all up. There’s literally only eleven people in my class, so I have no clue why I’m so nervous but I am. It’s an informative speech so we get to pick the topic and prepare our speech outline before class this Monday. I’m still thinking about my topic, but I swear these four minutes will last an eternity. My biggest fear is just forgetting what I have to say or even like stuttering. I also do this thing with my hands where I basically fidget with whatever I can find or I move them as I talk. I need to force myself to not say “um” or “like” before every word I say. Just typing all of this out makes me so nervous I am dreading this so much, but we’ll see how this goes! Wish me luck!