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25 Things Only Speech And Debate Students Would Know

Judges ready? Audience ready? Timekeeper ready? Let's begin.

Shakira Cross

Mar 05, 2019

University of Missouri

4867

25 Things Only Speech And Debate Students Would Know

Shakira Cross

I joined the National Speech and Debate Association for my junior year of high school and fell in love with the sport. It became my passion. I loved competing. I loved waking up at 4 or 6 in the morning to perform a speech I went over 100 times and I loved the friendships and families I formed out of it. So I asked my old speech and debate family some things they remember from their experience of what speech and debate were like for all of us. We came up with 25 things only speech and debate students would know. Get your cases out, get your timer out, adjust your blazer, smile at your judges, and let's begin.

1. Memorizing your speech or case minutes before presenting

This is what the bus ride to the tournament is for, right?

2. Blankets and Birkenstocks with socks are a must

This is so you can conveniently nap anywhere in the school.

3. Two hours of sleep

4. Hating on a team just because of their school

Yes. It happens.

5. Becoming BFFs with random speech kids

It all starts with, "what's your speech about?"

6. Becoming BFFs with random girls in the bathroom

It all starts with, "I absolutely love your outfit!"

7. Talking to walls

The wall becomes your best friend.

8. IMPROV

When in doubt, when you don't know what else to say, IMPROV!

9. Nobody understanding how hard tournaments can be

Or the amount of hard work we put into our speeches and cases. It's difficult.

10. Water bottles with liberal stickers

Or laptops with republican stickers. There's always both.

11. The anxiety you get when breaks are posted

If you know, you know.

12. Getting a trophy and feeling like it was literal gold and then forgetting about it the second you get home

13. Novice who really should be varsity

I mean, come on, let's be honest here, some novice are pretty darn good.

14. Hating when competitors try to get too close with the judge

Like, the judge doesn't care. It's not gonna give you more points. Bye.

15. Not really sure if during awards they're gonna use the one clap system

Some people clap once, some people clap multiple times. It really depends on the school but it's always awkward when you don't know which one.

16. Random naps at the cafeteria table

Essential.

17. Calling your family once you found out you broke to the next round

18. Snack tub never having the snacks you need or want

Nobody wants cheez its or Chex mix sometimes coach!

19. Showing up to your friend's final round because you love to support...or judge in silence

20. Hearing, "CALL YOUR PARENTS WE ARE 15 MINUTES AWAY" on the bus ride back home

Disturbing the sleep you didn't get while on the tournament.

21. Getting told on the bus you're going to do an event because someone dropped and you are the only person that can fill even though you've never done the event before

WHAT?!

22. Attempting to control your face when you hear a person say something you don't agree with

I can control my tongue, but my face is another thing to compose

23. The classic T-chart on white boards

I personally always felt powerful walking up to the board and creating the t-chart.

24. Team dinners

Because food brings people together.

25. When your team becomes your family

They are forever.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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25 Things Only Speech And Debate Students Would Know

Judges ready? Audience ready? Timekeeper ready? Let's begin.

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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