Final Reflection

It’s the final blog post for this semester already, and I can’t believe how time has passed so quickly. My final semester in NUS as an undergraduate is drawing to a close, just one final lap to go before I enter a new phase of life.

I’m really glad I took up a friend’s advice on taking this module. One area which I think I really developed through the many projects and presentations, is my oral presentation skills.

Before I took up this module, I’ve always feared public speaking. By forcing myself to face the many presentations involved in the completion of this module, I can safely say that I now feel alot more comfortable in presenting. Besides, this course also thought me that practice is the key to perfecting my presentation skills. Now I try not to shun any chances of presenting, but instead accept each chance as an avenue to further improve myself.

In the past, I never really understood the importance of having a script (I know brad advocates familiarisation instead of memorising), but one main benefit of having a script (in my opinion), is that I will not have to struggle to find the right words to bring myself across. However, that being said, being familiar with the topic you’re presenting, is definitely of utmost importance if you want to appear natural and confident, and that’s what I want to work towards in future. 🙂

Thirdly, I learnt how to hide my nervousness better through the many presentations by changing my stance. By being less rigid, the nervousness seems to dissipates and I get more confident as I speak.

Lastly, as Brad pointed out, my main problem lies in my pronounciation. I’ve been to speech therapy when I was young to correct my pronounciation and I’ve always thought I was okay now. By pointing out my flaws during the peer teaching, I managed to consciously remind myself to articulate my words clearly during the oral presentation (although i still stumbled over my words when I get too nervous or excited) but I’m improving! 🙂

Thanks for all the help Brad! 🙂

Reflection on Oral Presentation

Before I start on my own reflection, I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of you in ES2007S Class 5 for making my time in this class different and memorable in every little ways 🙂 Congratulations in surviving another semester, and GOOD LUCK to all graduating classmates in your future jobs! Of course, here’s a large shout-out to my research group members of SingaBrella, Gail and Phyllis! this is to a job well done girls 🙂 thanks for understanding my busy schedule, postponing deadlines and helping me out in so many ways. The whole project would never have been possible without your help, THANKS!!!! Really enjoyed working with the two of you. And to Samantha – hurray to finishing our last ever lesson in NUS together! 😀 

Okay, now to the reflection proper! 

I felt that my presentation wasn’t the best I could have done, despite practicing many times and consciously reminding myself to slow down, slow down. My pace picked up as I talked and i could feel myself stumbling over all the words. Nevertheless, I think it was good that i did not miss out any important information, and i managed to control my nervousness! I felt that I had improved a lot since the peer teaching presentation, by making sure that I pronounce every word clearly so that the audience is able to understand what I was saying. The main things that I would definitely have to work on for future presentations include:

1. SLOW DOWN. stop talking so fast
2. BE CONFIDENT! Look at and engage the audience more instead of referring to the slides to ensure that I have not missed out any information
3. Articulate each word clearly, so that audience will understand what I am saying, and stay focused on me. 

Step by step, I can feel myself improving. 
THANKS FOR ALL THE FEEDBACK EVERYONE!! 🙂