An Interview About Solving a Problem with a Friend’s Help

Interviewer: Hello, Anna! Can you tell us about a problem you had and how you solved it?

Anna: Of course. Last year, I had to prepare an important presentation for school. I had never spoken in front of a large group before, so I was very nervous.

Interviewer: What was the main problem?

Anna: I knew the topic quite well, but I was afraid that I would forget everything when I stood in front of the class. I also had difficulty organizing my presentation because I had too much information.

Interviewer: Did you try to solve the problem by yourself?

Anna: Yes. At first, I wrote a very long speech and tried to memorize it. Unfortunately, that made me even more nervous. Every time I forgot one sentence, I completely lost my place.

Interviewer: Who helped you?

Anna: My best friend, Kate, helped me. She noticed that I was worried and offered to practice the presentation with me.

Interviewer: What did she suggest?

Anna: First, she told me not to memorize every sentence. Instead, we divided my presentation into several main points. She helped me make small cards with keywords on them. Then I practiced speaking naturally instead of trying to remember the exact text.

Interviewer: Did you practice together?

Anna: Yes, several times. Kate listened to my presentation and pretended to be a member of the audience. She also asked me questions at the end, just like my teacher and classmates might do.

Interviewer: Was her help useful?

Anna: Very useful. She gave me good advice and helped me become more confident. She also reminded me to speak slowly, make eye contact, and take a short pause if I forgot something.

Interviewer: What happened on the day of the presentation?

Anna: I was still a little nervous, but I felt much better prepared. I looked at my keyword cards when I needed them and managed to explain everything clearly. I even answered the questions at the end without panicking.

Interviewer: Were you happy with the result?

Anna: Yes, I was very happy. I received a good grade, but more importantly, I realized that speaking in public was not as frightening as I had imagined.

Interviewer: What did you learn from this experience?

Anna: I learned that sometimes a problem becomes much easier when you ask a friend for help. Kate did not do the work for me, but she helped me find a better way to prepare. I also learned that a good friend can give you confidence when you are worried.

Interviewer: Thank you for sharing your story.

Anna: You’re welcome!