1.) Apprehension of Public Speaking?

When I was in high school, I loved giving speeches in front of the class.  I felt confident in my abilities.  One day, I gave a very important speech in my government class.  After I delivered the speech, my teacher informed me that I had issues with keeping the audience interested in what I was saying.  That meant I was putting everyone to sleep and was boring to listen to.  Everyone, including my friends, began to laugh at me.  Ever since that day, my anxiety increases at just hearing the word "Speech."  In chapter 2, it states, "The less confidence you have in your speaking skills, the more apprehension you will feel about public speaking" (27).  The teacher who criticized and humiliated me in front of my friends and classmates destroyed whatever confidence I may have had then.  I finally have the courage to step up to the plate and regain that confidence I once had and prove to myself that it wasn't me being boring, but her being mean.

Introduction

Hello! My name is Kayla and this is my fourth semester at Sierra College.  I am currently working as a caregiver full time, but am a trained medical assistant by trade.  I am enrolled in an EMT course to begin the process of becoming a paramedic in the near future.  I am currently enrolled in 12.5 units, so my schedule is very packed.

My hobbies are dancing and running.  I am preparing for a 5K in January and hope to be ready by then.  I am looking forward to this class and the semester.