Comm/Speech class...

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So, I avoided it as long as I could, but I finally had to take it this term…

…and its every bit as awkward and unpleasant as I thought it would be!

The professor has already singled me out. She engaged me in conversation in the first class (trying to figure out what’s wrong with me, I’m sure) and she paired –up with me on a class exercise this time.

I can research/prepare/deliver the speeches if I have to, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to tolerate all this personal interaction with strangers. What’s even worse is the fact that we’re graded on all that personal interaction, which means this class will very likely ruin my perfect GPA!! !

For those of you who’ve been there, how did you survive communications class and what sort of grade did you make?

I really need some coping strategies here!

I got an A in my communications class. I actually found it to be enjoyable, even though it pushed me slightly beyond my comfort zone at times. We were required to make several group speeches and two solo speeches. In my first solo speech, I came out to everybody about having autism and discussed the autism spectrum. In my second solo speech, I discussed bullying and teen suicide.

My solo speeches were quite nerve-racking, but since we were required to do them, I just pushed myself. I didn't make eye contact with the audience at all during my first speech because I was so nervous, and I had points deducted because of that. I attempted to make a little eye contact in my second speech, but it wasn't enough to gain a perfect score in that arena. I have a hard time with eye contact in general.

I didn't. I failed miserably and I am taking it again.

It can't possibly be any worse than British literature, can it?

I had to take a Communications class at uni and I hated it. I don't mind giving speeches, but one-on-one conversations with somebody looking on? Not my forte. It was mostly conversational techniques (open questions, body language, that kind of thing) which we had to apply to conversations that grew increasingly longer and were graded for 'progression' and 'overall technique'. My teacher could sense my awkwardness and immediately pounced on me. I've never been singled out that much in a class and my classmates didn't seem to notice the double standard she set for me vs. the rest of the class. I did eventually pass, but it was with a very mediocre grade. About 60%, I'd say.

I'd rather deal with Pope and Blake than get graded on small talk any day!! !

@Melpomene,

This is exactly the way my class is going... I can tolerate the speeches and even the smaller group stuff but the one-on-one conversations are terrible!

I can sympathise with you! The only useful advice I can give you is to keep pushing yourself to do well (enough). Having to re-take the class would be even worse than the initial class. That's what got me through towards the end.

I was fortunate that in my communications class a presentation was a major part of the grade and we got to choose the topics. So I just chose my special interest slapped a makeshift slideshow together and was able to ramble on and retort most arguments effortlessly off the top of my head. But the group part of communications is certainly a downer. Also communication classes often emphasize critical thinking. This can tend to lean in the favour of aspies.

Now I'm concerned, because I just signed up for a speech class.

^^^ Be afraid... be VERY afraid.

If it helps I do labs everyday with everybody in the lab room. and I'm not a people person.