Brian and the Bulldogs

Bryant University Communications students in the Academic Innovation Center

This week I was invited to speak with Communications students at Bryant University. Unfortunately, it’s the first time I’ve ever had to give a speech while severely under the weather, but on the chance that some of the students might need to hear my story about–and strategies for–dealing with anxiety, I felt I had to go.

I also knew it would be good for me to get further out of my comfort zone. Fever, sore throat, shaky, nervous–very uncomfortable, but I still had to produce!

The room was so bright it hurt my eyes, and as the professor introduced me, I saw a group of very interested young individuals staring back at me. I wasn’t sure if they noticed I was sick. How could they? I didn’t mention it. From previous talks, I knew I’d have to be ‘on’ for the next 50-60 minutes, which wouldn’t be easy.

As I spoke, I saw a few kids writing in their notepads. Was that a good sign? Or were they just doodling? Being the competitor that I am, I tried even harder to get my message across. Still, they kept writing.

When finished I asked if there were any questions, figuring the answer would be ‘no’ and I could go home and get under the covers. Boy, was I wrong.

They’d taken detailed notes and student after student had insightful, specific questions about various parts of my talk. I was excited not just by how many questions there were, but by the seriousness of them. These weren’t surface questions, they were deep.

It made me forget all about how I felt–I was suddenly energized and answered as best I could. I got a dozen books from the car for the kids, which they snapped up, and then stayed for another half-hour to hear the professor critique a writing assignment the students had just completed. I think I learned more in that 20 minutes than I did in a whole year of high school English. Hopefully at some point I’ll get asked back to give a talk when I feel better–and learn more about the English language!