Graduation Speech?

Question

I have to give a 90 sec speech at graduation, and I'm a little nervous. There will be hundreds of people watching and listening. My speech is basically a reading but I still have those butterflies. What are some good ways to calm myself down during the speech, and how can I prepare for it?

Answer 1

The best way to calm nerves in any position is to prepare well.

There are a few simple steps:

Just check you are comfortable with what you are saying. A quick run through the material will let you see if you have all pronunciations ok. This should be just a check.

Have the speech typed out in a way that will suit your eyesight when it is placed on say a lecturn in front of you. Might be worthwhile increasing the type size. Be sure you are confortable with it! Again this is a simple check.

If you can visit the speaking platform beforehand. You can get a feel for where you will be and there will be no surprises on the day.

The real key is practice, practice, practice. Go over the speech as many times as you can out loud.  

On the day, speak slowly as you can and loud and clear. This should keep your confidence up as you go through the short speech. You can look out at the audience and they will understand you.

The very best of luck to you, I am sure you will get through it OK

Answer 2

90 sec is 1.3 mins, to short a time to give a speech on ur day. know what..just prepare urself to greet the audience, thank them for having blessed u with their prsence. by the time u introduce & thank your parents and siblings for their contribution towards ur degree, the 90 sec will be already over.....so why have those butterflies

Answer 3

Pracitice it a lot.  Practice in front of a mirror.  Record yourself and listen to it - then record it again.  When you have it just the way you want it to be - you'll start to feel very confident.

Rehearsal is a great way to blow past the nerves!!

Answer 4

practice over and over in front of an aydience and in a mirror and make it go fast u can also imagine yourself alone block everything out dont let fear defeat u