[FSUZeta]

when you are in a conversation with someone are you worrying about what you are going to say next, rather than concentrating on and really listening to what the other person is saying? i think a lot of us fall into that trap from time to time-worrying about the thing we are going to say next.

you write well and must be a sharp guy, since you are an honors student, so you can communicate your thoughts and ideas. you are just more successful doing so in the written word, rather than the spoken word.

have you taken any speech classes in school? or any communications classes? taking one of those classes might help you learn how to organize your thoughts and get over any anxiety you might have with expressing yourself verbally.

you can practice speaking with strangers to help you begin to understand how to start up and carry on a conversation. try to strike up a conversation when you are standing in line at the grocery store, or with the cashier. any place where you are standing around or waiting(like the doctors office, or getting your oil changed) can be an opportunity to practice. the more you practice, the better you will understand what works and what doesn't and you might become more at ease speaking with strangers. the nice thing about practicing on strangers is that you most likely would not run into them ever again, so there's no reason to be embarrassed if you are unsuccessful in striking up a conversation with them.