Finding My Voice by cristal

Finding My Voice by cristal - May 2026 Scholarship Essay

One challenge that once felt incredibly intimidating to me was speaking in front of people and confidently sharing my ideas. Looking back now, it is hard to believe how nervous I used to get over something that has become such a big part of who I am today.

I have always been a creative person, but for a long time, I was much more comfortable being the person behind the scenes. I loved designing graphics, brainstorming ideas, creating content, and thinking strategically, but actually presenting those ideas out loud felt terrifying. When I first started college, I would rehearse what I wanted to say over and over in my head before speaking in class. Even something as simple as answering a question during a discussion made me nervous because I was afraid of sounding wrong or unprepared. I admired people who could naturally command a room, and I honestly did not think I would ever become one of them.

One moment that really stands out to me happened during an early presentation in one of my advertising classes. I had spent hours creating visuals and researching the campaign, but the second I stood in front of the room, I could feel my hands shaking. I rushed through my slides, avoided eye contact, and left feeling disappointed in myself because I knew my ideas were stronger than the way I presented them. That experience stuck with me because I realized that having good ideas means very little if you are too afraid to share them confidently.

Instead of avoiding situations that made me uncomfortable, I slowly started forcing myself into them. I joined organizations, took on leadership roles, and accepted internships where communication was unavoidable. Through my work creating social media strategies and presenting ideas to teams, I started realizing that confidence is not something people are simply born with. It comes from repetition, preparation, and learning to trust yourself.

A major turning point for me was participating in professional experiences where I had to present ideas in front of professionals and peers. I remember walking into those rooms feeling intimidated, convinced everyone else was more experienced or more qualified than I was. But after speaking, answering questions, and seeing people genuinely engage with my ideas, something shifted. I stopped focusing so much on whether I sounded perfect and started focusing on the value I could bring to the conversation.

Over time, the thing that once terrified me became exciting. Now, I actually enjoy presenting creative concepts, pitching campaigns, and collaborating with others. Public speaking no longer feels like a moment where I am being judged. Instead, it feels like an opportunity to connect with people, tell a story, and bring ideas to life.

What changed was not just practice, but my mindset. I learned that growth usually happens in uncomfortable moments. Every time I pushed through the fear instead of avoiding it, I became more confident. Now, when I look back at the version of myself who was afraid to even speak up in class, I realize how much those intimidating moments helped shape the person I am becoming today.