Speaking to a Crowd (Sophie)

Well today was definitely a new experience for me. I THOUGHT I was comfortable speaking in front of people after years of debating ect ect ect….however the most people I’ve ever spoken in front of was about 50. Today I gave a speech on Transition to Uni to 400 prospective Melbourne Uni students and parents! Despite being prepared, it was one of the most daunting experiences of my life so far. I don’t know why I was so nervous because I’ve faced frightening interviews with hardcore power-tripping investment bankers in which I kept my cool but seeing the crowd in front of me suddenly triggered my nerves and I felt my legs turn to jelly, my brain suffer sentence-connection failure and my hands start to SHAKE! The first time I ever shook during a speech was in my first debate at age 13. I thought that was also the last time….but after today – obviously not! Thank goodness within about 60 seconds I regained my composure but it really was quite an experience! By the end I felt confident though and the great thing is that I’ve been there, done that – and I know that I can do it. If I can now speak in front of 400 people, I can now speak in front of thousands!

Afterwards everyone was really lovely and said I didn’t seem nervous and spoke really well…I hope they were not lying to make me feel better! LOL!

Afterwards I met this really cool prospective student who was interested in the Political Interest Society. His brother had been a member years ago. I hope I didn’t scare away as I am just passionate about the club and launched into a full-blow speech about how amazing it is….but I do think it is one of the best clubs on campus. Where else do you have a place in which people from all sides of politics and with all kinds of political viewpoints, can meet together and respectfully interact and create meaningful, intelligent discussion without the need for a power-trip or to prove that they are right?

I hope he joins the club next year when he comes to Melbourne.

Today also involved me going and talking to the Professors teaching some of my possible quantitative subject choices in an effort to decide whether to take Quantitative Methods 2 or Introductory Econometrics.

I spoke to the Intro Econ Professor first and he was so helpful and lovely….I wanted to take the subject just because he was teaching it! Then I spoke to another really helpful and lovely Professor involved with both Intro Econ and QM2 and he gave me a very honest and straightforward comparison about the two subjects…which led me to decide I would probably in fact, change into QM2.

To confirm my decision I went and spoke with the Finance Honours coordinator who was ALSO so welcoming and helpful! He helped me understand exactly what subjects I need to do….because reading about it on the internet is a bit confusing and I have heard some conflicting information from friends.

I learned that getting into Honours is definitely going to be as challenging as J warned it would be. Basically my average will need to be at least 85 + ….so I will be hitting the books harder than ever to make it. I am competing with some amazingly gifted students…one such student who had an average of 98%! He had a prior degree in Med and then went into Actuarial Studies! *Genius Alert*

I really really hope things work out….because some of the investment banks interested in me have indicated that they would like me to do Honours before I start working….so I will just have to see. Preferably of course, if I have to do Honours, I want to do it at Melbourne and not be forced to go to some other uni. At the same time – who knows – I may be lucky enough to be offered a job opportunity I can’t resist – one that doesn’t involve a 4th year of Honours. I will just have to wait and see!

I ended up changing into QM2 [via the SIS…had to ask how to do it at the faculty office – DUH!] but I am planning to attend lectures for both subjects in the first few weeks to get a better feel for things. If I suddenly change my mind – I can then easily change back into Intro Econ.

It truly is a great day when people are actually a) Available in their Office to speak to you, and b) Really really friendly and helpful.

Being back on campus was a great feeling. I’ve always loved the vibe at Melbourne Uni. It’s like this electricity that runs through the air….full of opportunities and excitement. This is going to be a massive semester [as usual!] and I’m totally pumped! I have a lot I’m trying to achieve over the next 6 months.

Something I haven’t mentioned – results!

Well…the day before they came out I started to get really worried. Over 24 hours I prepared myself for the worst…this included a long discussion with my Dad about how I had “fucked everything up and have destroyed my chances of becoming an investment banker”. His response was one of the best quotes I have ever heard. “Sophie…the only low you ever need to worry about is the low you feel when you are underground – dead. Everything above that is shit-hot!”

LOL. My dad gives the best pep-talks ever. That quote has become my new life motto!

So needless to say, much to my surprised, I actually did really really well! I was thrilled. Absolutely thrilled. Of course it can always be better, but I maintained my average despite everything.

My parents have informed me that they are never going to believe me again when I say I’ve gone badly. LOL.

Anyways…..I have a lot I need to organise tonight.
Busy weekend ahead!

Take care everyone!

-Sophie