How do I deliver a class presentation with a stutter? Please help!

Dear Haya,

I am a university student struggling with stuttering and public speaking anxiety. A few days ago my professor assigned me a presentation in class, which I really want to do well.

However, my stuttering problem and fear of speaking before class leaves me feeling extremely anxious and overwhelmed. I feel like I will be judged and lose my confidence.

Can you help me figure out how to deal with this situation?

— A struggling student

Dear struggling student,

Thank you for sharing such a truly honest and trustworthy experience about something so many people are struggling with.

I hear how much you struggle with stuttering and how public speaking gives you intense anxiety. But at the same time, I also hear that you want to improve.

First of all, please know that stuttering doesn’t mean you lack intelligence, ability, or confidence. Right now, the fear of speaking up and being judged overwhelms your nervous system, sending it into a freeze response. This reaction is not weakness, but your body’s response to a perceived threat.

Let me make this clear. Your professor assigning you a class presentation is not a punishment, but an opportunity.

Yes, it’s scary. The fear of stuttering and judgment can make you feel frozen and overwhelmed, but growth is not achieved by avoiding fear. The only way to get better at something is to do it. The only way out is through it.

This is what we call exposure therapy. Not pushing yourself hard, but feeling the fear and doing it anyway with preparation. Courage is not the absence of fear: true courage is found in taking action in spite of it.

A few things to keep in mind while doing this:

Have a question for Haya? Fill this form anonymously or by email at [email protected]

Prepare: The key is not to go into it rushed or unprepared. Prepare thoroughly. Practice your presentation out loud and many times — preferably alone, in front of a mirror, and then with a trusted person. Record yourself to normalize hearing your own voice. Slow down on purpose. Pauses are allowed. In fact, pauses often make a speaker sound more confident and grounded.

Regulate your nervous system: Before you present, adjust your body. Do this by taking slow, deep breaths, exhaling more than you inhale, and telling yourself that you are fine and safe. This signals safety to your nervous system and often reduces speech impediments. Remember: Stress makes stuttering worse, not the other way around.

Separate your speech from your self-worth: Remember, your speaking skills are not a reflection of your self-worth. A presentation is about your ideas, your understanding and your effort, not about speaking perfectly.

Tell your teacher: Let your presser know that you are experiencing anxiety about stuttering and public speaking. That’s not weakness, that’s self-defense. Many teachers are much more supportive than we expect them to be.

Practice self-compassion and set realistic expectations: Be easy on yourself as you go through this journey. This is your first time, it won’t be ideal. Public speaking is a skill that improves with exposure and repetition.

Every time you show up, even with a shaky voice, you teach your nervous system that you are safe. This is how trust is built. You don’t fail because you’re afraid, you grow because you’re willing to try and that’s how winners are built.

You got this!

— Haya

Haya Malik is a psychotherapist, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) practitioner, corporate wellbeing strategist and trainer specializing in creating organizational cultures focused on wellbeing and mental health awareness.

Send her your questions by filling out this form or email at [email protected]

Note: The above advice and opinions are the author’s and are specific to the question. We strongly recommend our readers to consult relevant experts or professionals for personalized advice and solutions. The author and Geo.tv assume no responsibility for the consequences of actions taken based on the information provided herein. All published pieces are edited to improve grammar and clarity.