Feel Like Throwing Up?

For some reason, nothing strikes fear in our hearts like speaking or performing in front of others. Some people get so worked up over meeting college officials or public speaking that they get physically ill. Others get so nervous they just want to curl up under their covers and stay--for life.

I know it sounds hard to believe, but those times in life that make you want to hurl are the very times you'll appreciate the most--eventually. These moments will come to represent times that have marked your growth. Why? Because challenges give you the opportunity to overcome your fears and feel proud.

It might help to know that most everybody gets nervous—even famous people, teachers, and doctors struggle with nerves before speaking or performing. But famous and successful people all realize eventually that nerves are a good thing. In fact, Beyonce Knowles once said "I get nervous if I don’t get nervous."

But that doesn't mean you shouldn't do something about your nerves. In fact, you should tackle your fear with preparation. With a little practice you can look completely poised and composed in front of your peers and teachers!

If you're facing an event that's giving you extreme butterflies, you may need to read over some tips for getting prepared. The most common things that make us want to barf include:

• Oral Reports: You should write a report a little differently if you're planning to read it in front of a class. You'll need to avoid writing awkward, choppy expressions and include more transitional phrases.
• Impromptu Speeches: There's a trick to preparing a speech in fifteen minutes.
• Being Interviewed: You should treat an interview like a test. Don't try to cram pertinent information into your head on the night before an interview.