Mandatory introduction

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So my TA today says I don't want to make it stressful and then has us do introductions and other stuff and not math. I actually thought about walking out which I really don't do and attend every class I can for 4 years. So they make assumptions. I also got picked to go first. Can we hurry up and discuss material while we focus. Anyone else dislike having to introduce yourself in classes at least it is over for this quarter.

Welcome to WP!

I don't like that stuff either. I'm in undergrad and had to do it for only one class so far this year, though - public speaking. I imagine when I get into other smaller classes as I move into my major and grad school I'll have to do that more often, I guess? I don't like being put on the spot like that.

Did you post in the wrong thread? The OP has over 500 posts, not exactly a newbie...

With regards to introductions, I do find them stressful. But I am the kind of person who thrives off adrenaline rushes. I also do certain things because I feel that I have to do them. In a tutorial this year, for the introductions, I had to come up with all of my identities, and then another person in class interviewed me and presented what I told her to the class. My autistic identity is one of my strongest identities, so I actually mentioned it, and she ended up disclosing me to the entire tutorial class. After, someone else disclosed as being gay. It was nervewracking. I actually ended up switching tutorials, not because of my disclosure, but because the other time worked better for me schedule-wise. But that is the first time I disclosed to the whole class, and I wonder how people would have treated me there if I stayed. The tutorial was led by the prof who does the lectures, so my prof knows as well.

Although I did not do an thread in the getting to know each other section as I dislike introductoins. I actaully wrote a paper on identity on being an aspie but was glad there was no peer editing of that paper. Got an A- in that class.

I would be VERY interested to read what you wrote. I'm a sociology grad student studying the formation of identity in individuals with autism.

You could have been like "My name is X and I'm interested in math. Next."

I hate it a lot. I think I'm over that stage now, but it was never enjoyable. And like you, I was always one of the first to be picked :l
I never knew what to say beyond my name. Any hobbies I did have, I didn't really want to share with them (just nerdy things like playing games)

Actaully mostly the whole class said playing games. I said online forums after a pause.

Fair enough, but I was a little to concerned with how people perceived me back then.

I find thinking about what other people think of me makes it harder.

Exactly. I didn't know what they would think of me, made it harder on me - when I should have just got on with it and told the truth.

Introductions are mildly awkward but it could be a lot worse. As long as you don't have to play that people bingo game thing I'm happy. And God forbid I have to participate in any pointless teambuilding games.

People bingo game that sounds like a waste of time.

I hate public speaking. Introductions are superficial and I'm not good at it either. Having said that, public speaking is a great skill to learn. There's always Toastmasters to help with confidence. I know teachers who hate public speaking as well - surprisingly enough. It's the #1 phobia. It's normal. We all have to brave through it and try our best.

Funny..
I've already been warned about a 3-min presentation I'll have to do, come April. I'm already thinking of ways to get out of it. LOL

I have one in April, need to do it for me to pass my module. It's in a small group thankfully. I don't know how I'm going to tackle it. I really really prefer to read from a sheet, I've done it without and it just goes to sh**. I can't think, I'm too busy thinking about bloody eye contact. Then eventually I notice that I don't know what the content is that I'm meant to be talking about, my voice dry's up and I crash and burn into a big mess..

The one time I did it with a sheet, I made it my number one goal to keep a clear mind and read from the sheet. It was the best speech I've ever done. But then the teachers were like "oh that's so unprofessional and poor" when I thought it was the best I have ever done haha. It was a group situation, and he hated on all of us (I was the only native English person there) but the teacher still took the time to mention how he didn't like me reading from a sheet.

I haven't got a clue how I'm going to do the one in April...They can't expect everyone to be a natural right? Some people say they're nervous, but they always seem to deliver well enough..I just don't happen to be in that group.

Memorize it word-by-word. I've done it several times in school when we had to do presentations. It usually takes 2-3 days of straight practice, but it's totally worth it. I always got As on my presentations when I did it. Also, don't make eye contact with people, but look at the back of the room or into spaces between people. But you have to make sure you shift your gaze around. I always find that difficult, but once the presentation is memorized, I can direct my attention to the non-verbal aspects of the presentation much better.