I get nervous before a presentation..any tips?

Question

I have to do a presentation this week and i get nervous and my voice gets very shaky, its really embaressing. What can i do to calm my nerves and make me feel more comfortable infront of my class?

Answer 1

It's hard to get up in front of your peers....this is tough for most people.  My seniors have to do presentations every year, and here is what I tell them:

1.  Know your topic inside and out...study it thoroughly.

2. Create notes to help your thought process...don't use full sentences on your notes...it keeps you from looking at your audience.

3.  Have an opening ice breaker--"hi, how is everyone doing today?" or "has anyone ever heard of ________?"

4. Involve your audience as much as you can....ask them questions or opinions.

5. Don't read your slides or any charts you hang up....add to them instead.

6. Take deep breaths and go slow....don't be afraid of those quiet dead spots when no one is talking....it's fine.

7. Use humor, if appropriate to the subject.

Answer 2

GOOD LUCK.

Practical help for Speech Presentations

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http://www.rpeurifoy.com/anxiety/pubspea...

http://www.afraid-of-speaking-a-speech.c...

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Public speaking do's and don't's

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Answer 3

When my students are about to present in front of the group, I always dedicate a class to show them the tips for a successful presentation. This might help you too:

1.FIRST OF ALL, be prepared and practice ahead of time.  

2.Start thinking about creating an icebreaker line, a greeting, present yourself to the audience, (THIS MIGHT EVEN CALM YOUR NERVES and help you get started!!); “Good Morning, my name is__________ and I’m going to be talking to you about__________”.

3.Be very familiar with the information you are going to present.

Practice what you are going to say until you really know it but don’t memorize it!

You can even practice before friends and family.

4.Try to look at the audience while you talk. Don't bury your head in your notes.

5.Always remember that your audience understands your nervousness; they know what you are feeling and will forgive it; similarly they will forgive honest mistakes.

6. Think that nervousness is usually invisible; most will not notice the small changes in your voice or occasional mistakes; most speakers who describe themselves as nervous appear confident and calm to the audience

7.Relax! Practice some deep breathing techniques.

8.Be Kind to Yourself: Don't worry if the presentation didn't go exactly as you planned! You will improve each time you make a presentation!

Answer 4

I got this stuff to calm my nerves before my wedding called Rescue Remedy.  They have it at GNC.  It's this herbal liquid stuff that you drop under your tongue.  It worked for me!

Answer 5

I had the same problem when I was student teaching.  I would get so nervous before a lesson because I thought I was going to make a mistake.  I eventually realized that the kids know that you are human and if you make a mistake or say something stupid they are really forgiving, at least my classes have been.  Also, if you are afraid you will make a mistake, practice beforehand to be sure you know your stuff.

Answer 6

It is just a common feeling felt by 95% of people before speaking in front of a crowd.

Believe me, I get WAY nervous as well.

Answer 7

I get nervous when I speak in public too. But I just say to myself that my classmates aren't going to laugh at me and if they do then they're really big jerks. Make sure you know your material really well so you don't stand up there going ummm... And if there's a podium, use it so that everyone can only see the top half of you and you can hold onto it to steady yourself. And when you realize your voice is getting shaky, just take a short pause, take a deep breath, concentrate on what you're going to say next, and go on. If none of this works then just try not to look at anybody and stare at a spot on the back wall.  

Answer 8

Deep breaths! Practice your stuff so you will know your info and be confident! You rock!