Public Speaking?????

Question

I am really bad at public speaking. It's really scary for me and I have to do it every year because I am in middle school. How do I stop being so nervous when I get up there?

Answer 1

You can practice relaxation techniques.  Often, deep breathing can be enough to get you where you need to be.  Concentrate on breathing in, making sure you breathe deeply so that your stomach goes out, then slowly let the air out all the way. Do this a few times, and your heart rate will slow down, and the shakiness should get better.  Most of the time, when we're nervous, we tend to breathe really shallow, sending less blood to your brain and more blood to your legs (so you can run away from danger).  If you can halt the process by actually focusing on relaxing, you should notice a big difference.

More relaxation techniques are below, since sometimes we need more than just some deep breathing to calm down.

Answer 2

i know exactlly how you feel cuz im a real nervouse person but i notice everyone up there is nervous as well. So before i go i try and take a few deep breaths and i also look at everyones top of their heads so it looks like im looking them into their eyes.

Answer 3

First of all - be prepared. Don't try to improvise or wing it. Don't memorize your material. Have notes to which you can refer occasionally, but do not just read from them.

Then, as you stand in front of the group, look at the top of their heads or their hair. From their vantage point, it looks like you're making eye contact - a good thing. From where you stand, you are connecting w/the audience, but not being distracted by faces, movement, etc.

Good luck.  

Answer 4

i have found that if you act like you are not nervous it helps.  i am a very funny person so i use that for me.  just remember, everyone else is nervous too

Answer 5

I am like that too. The way i look at it is as if all your friends are there for you and if you s***w up you should be able to just laugh about it later. Everyone makes mistakes, if you make one nobody will really worry about it so you shouldnt either. Just pretend like your talking to a friend or friends. Dont focus on the people you dont know that are watching.

Answer 6

Public speaking is often listed as people's number one fear, so you have lots of company.  The best way not to be so nervous is to have a good sense of perspective about the whole thing.  People are worried about their own presentations (at least as much as you are) so they won't be focusing on you; they're focusing on themselves.  If you do badly, you'll be embarrassed for a few days.  It'll pass and so will you.  It's not your whole grade and it's not the end of life as you know it.  It's really not that big a deal even if you mess up horribly.  

Relax, and you're far less likely to mess up.  Do your prep work well.  Be as prepared as you can be.  Study your speech.  Practice it to your dog, cat, hamster, or siblings several times over.  Don't work in front of a mirror because it causes you to focus too much on yourself.  Think about your topic and your audience.  The less you think about yourself and how you're feeling, the less important that will become.  Suddenly, you'll be able to do a much better job because you're actually thinking of those to whom you're speaking -- instead of thinking of yourself and how you feel about it.   Be prepared and do your best.  Stand up straight and look at your audience as you speak.  You'll be fine.