Public Speaking is Like Riding a Bike

When I compare public speaking to riding a bike, I mean that I haven't ridden a bike in a long time and I'm not very comfortable with it anymore. I was in speech and debate for three years in high school doing a form of short preparation speaking. I was thankful to have ample time to read my paper, and I was excited to read a paper that used CRISPR in the context of optogenetics, which has been what my UROPs have been centered around. Due to personal reasons, I was unable to present on the first day of journal club. I had finished my presentation and knew what I wanted to say--- but I was getting stage fright. I felt as unprepared as I did for the first competition I went to as a high school sophomore. So... I guess public speaking isn't a muscle memory thing. Seeing other people present definitely made me feel better, even if there was some confusion and someone ended up presenting the paper I had signed up for. With another week calm my nerves and a new paper even more interesting than the last, I felt like I could get back on my metaphorical bike. As it is when I actually ride a bike these days, I felt a little shaky and uneasy, but I didn't end up wrecked. I actually was able to remember why I liked speech competitions in high school so much, it felt familiar to talk for a small room of people with a kitchen timer counting up at me.

And just like old times, I just barely stayed within the time limit; you've gotta live life on the edge sometimes.



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