A
female
age
30-35,
anonymous
writes:I need help on how to overcome my nervousness. This week I am doing a presentation to my English class, and I am quite scared. I don't like to speak in large groups. There are at least 25 students in the class. I'm afraid that the students will laugh at me when I present. I am very shy, and don't have much confidence. What should I do? Please help!
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Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (9 April 2008): First of all DON'T WORRY!! You can do it!!!
Giving speeches or presentaions are very nervous for people who are not very confident but remember the teacher won't let the other students laugh at you!!!! believe me you will attract yourself if you are embarrased then you will go red. Think about what you are going to do after the presnentation or think of someone who you think is Proud of you and do it for them.
Trust me they won't laugh at you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A
male
reader, Liam73  +, writes (19 May 2007):
I know how you feel. Best techniques i find.....
1. Is to just focus on one person, way in the back row...prob not a good idea if its one of your mates because they might make funny faces at you lol....personal experiences
2. Don't talk fast. Take your time and slow down.
3. Take a deep breath
4. Don't ever imagine people in the underwear...doesnt work lol
5. Back yourself....believe in yourself. Believe that you will give a good presentation and you will.
6. I find that humour is a good icebreaker.....if you go up there a make a joke about your presation or something to do with it before hand, you will feel more confident and if they don't laugh, they havent got a sense of humour! lol
These are the things i find work best for me.
Remember:
Back yourslef
Joke
Talk slow
Underwear
Deep breath
Focus
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (19 May 2007): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionThanks for all of your advice and suggestions to me! My presentation went well, and everyone were supportive in my class. No one laughed at me. Thank you!
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A
male
reader, Rikki  +, writes (17 May 2007):
Only one thing i can tell, Prepare well before the presentation, Tell your self you are the best and give as more as presentations as u can
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (17 May 2007): I suggest you try to join a group called Toastmasters. They help you excel in speaking to small, medium, and large open groups. There are tons of chapters around the world. Eventually, you may get comfortable with your club members, and that helps greatly and sometimes, you get to speak with a partner or in a group, and that adds to the mental support/back-up.
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (17 May 2007): hey i am still at school dont know whether you are, or college :S but i had the same problem. my english class is full of loosers and i didnt want to present my speaking and listening test because i thought it would show me n my few friends up. we had a word with our teacher and we got to do it in front of just her and no 1 else during break.yeh we missed 5/10 minutes of our own time but it was so much easier.hope this helped xxgood luck in your presentation x
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A
female
reader, Altindie +, writes (17 May 2007):
 I'm a prac teacher and I have to present to a group almost every day! I've found that when you're confident with what you're going to say, it shows in your confidence as a speaker. If you're going to talk about something you're passionate about, or you know A LOT about it, the speaking part will come easy to you. Just think of it like a close friend asked you a question and you're impressing them with your knowledge on the topic. ;)
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (17 May 2007): You could take a herbal Valerian tablet to calm you. They do work, they are the herbal equivalent of valium but harmless. My sister, who is a nurse, did not believe me but tried one and was astounded. Try one on another day before your presentation to see if it works, because it is important to feel calm but not woolly-headed and you need to see what it does for you.
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (17 May 2007): Hey there, you are not alone, did you know that public speaking is top of the list for most people to make them totally lose it with nervousness, it is right up there with getting your teeth drilled! So don't discount yourself for feeling nervous.
One silly suggestion, but I think it works, is to visualize your audience without their clothes, think about them all just sitting there naked listening to you speak, and I bet you will begin to giggle. Just remember that they are not there to judg you and to burst out laughing at you....if you can laugh at yourself for stumbling on your words and such, they very likely will relax and laugh with you, and that is OK, that is a sign that you are actually connecting with your audience. Just speak to them as if you are in your own living room talking to your family or friends, try not to think of it as judgement day, but a conversation between yourself and just one person, and you will sail through it. Best of luck to you.
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (17 May 2007): hey sweetheart,
i was like you just a few years ago. i have always been a shy & a quiet person ( i still am ). i still do hate being in front of a big crowd. i hated doing presentations through out grade school until high school. i would turn bright red & just wanted to hide. the more presentations that i had to do ... the less shy i became & became more comfortable in front of everyone especially if the crowd consist of mainly my friends whom i have grown up with. try not to think too much about what others think. in college, i have always found it helpful to not make eye contact with the crowd. instead of making eye contact look over the tip of their heads. & if you do studder (sp?) or mess up ... just giggle it off & smile. don't think about it too much... you'll do fine & you will eventually overcome this! : )
remember to:
- relax.
- take a deep breath.
- remind yourself that you'll do fine.
- don't make eye contact with the crowd.
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A
female
reader, penta  +, writes (17 May 2007):
 CD is right. Practice practice practice. When you know it cold, you'll be a lot more confident. Also, BREATHE. It helps a lot. If you can get a podium, that helps too (keeps your hands from shaking if you can hold onto the podium). Good luck! Let us know how it goes.
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A
female
reader, cd206  +, writes (17 May 2007):
 Want to hear something weird? I was like you and then I moved abroad for a year to teach english and quite often had to give classes to groups of forty and it didn't bother me at all.... fastforward back to my final year in uni and I nearly puked last time I had to give a presentation to my group. I suppose the message is that the more you worry about things the more likely you are to screw it up. Practise in front of the mirror, in front of your family, in front of your friends and bear in mind that it's not the end of the world if you do screw up. If you know your stuff that will shine through.
CD
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