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Essay Question: Describe a personal achievement that has had a significant impact on your life. Give specific details. What did you learn from this experience? How did it help shape your understanding of yourself and the world around you? (500 words)
Growing up, I always had an intense fear of public speaking. I remember my first grade teacher, Miss Hamilton, telling me that she loved my Christmas story and asking me to read it aloud for everyone’s parents at the school’s Christmas play. I immediately burst into tears, begging her not to make me speak in front of so many people. She finally relented, but even as a six-year-old I recognized the concern in her voice. This fear continued through my early teenage years. At various times I would be asked to give a presentation or make a speech, and I would always find an excuse to get out of it. I would rarely even speak up in class for fear of embarrassment. I couldn’t imagine how I would ever overcome my fear of public speaking.
In high school, I became more comfortable with speaking in a group. Things had changed for me. The difference was that I was no longer thinking about what I was going to say to the point of paralysis. I was just speaking my mind. Still, I couldn’t imagine myself actually speaking in front of a large audience. What would happen if I finally got up in front of a crowd? Would I freeze up? Would I even be able to bring myself to get up in front of that crowd? When would the right opportunity present itself? 我要提问
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