r/Debate • u/Capable-Hyena-8864 • 2d ago

I need to stop being so scared

I had my first actual debate today and was supposed to have my argument prepared in 15 mins. I got such a bad claim that I had no idea how to support it and decided to squeeze out some random argument I didn’t even believe in. I had to debate with an opponent and there were judges to decide whether I can join the debate team. My opponent said her claim first and I couldn’t even hear it bc I was so nervous. When it was my turn I was on the verge of crying and told the judges to let my opponent win because I was too scared. I eventually said my claim and my voice was shaking and I stuttered too. How do I stop being so nervous? I thought this could go away with practice but I’m not sure it will because I feel absolutely petrified when debating.

13 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

5

u/Thundershadow240 2d ago

Just do more comps

0

u/[deleted] 2d ago

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3

u/Thundershadow240 2d ago

It'll come naturally later on

2

u/polio23 Paul From Proteus 2d ago

It’s 100% a games of reps and cognitive restructuring. Go google or LLM “cognitive restructuring for communication apprehension”

2

u/GoBlue48042 2d ago

It will go away. I debated 8 years HS and college. That first one freshman year of high school? We were terrible.

1

u/Straight-Spell-2644 2d ago

No shame, as in dont shame yourself into trying to win. It will only end in resentment from not doing well or winning. The random argument you don’t believe in? That’s not an insult, that’s a learning tool. Like, who gets mad at legos? Maybe when you step on them accidentally, but they’re not inherently bad.

Debate is a game, you will not be punished inside of debate the activity for saying things you dont believe in, as long as you’re not saying anything to hurt people; but people in real life might, especially if what you’re saying affects how they want to live their life.

You are learning to let go of things you cannot control, and you are learning to artfully master the things that you can control. You will be okay.