[snugglebeary]

Since the school year is about to start in 17 more days, I need help with presentations.

Usually there are some projects that are major test grades and I will always avoid them because I'm too nervous to go in front of people and talk. I feel like when I do they are judging me and making fun of me in their minds and after I'm done they're just going to talk badly about me behind my backs saying that I'm stupid or whatever. I hate it when people stare at me and the teacher usually makes them watch. I know that when it comes to presentations that usually the other students don't listen, but I'm still EXTREMELY nervous.

Do any of you guys know any remedies for this? I really need some help with this.

[jlmass]

I know its not easy to talk in front of a large group. Just focus on what your saying like your just talking to one person and remember all the people you are talking to are just as nervous as you. Its not easy but you can do it.

[dailyhealing]

Hi. I'm a teacher and have been for about 15 years. I was exactly as you describe yourself, and I would avoid classes where there would be oral presentations. The hardest part for me about becoming a teacher was having to give presentations in front of my peers. And in teacher school, you had to do it a LOT. There was no way around it, but I really wanted to be a teacher! I would be so terrified but somehow I guess I managed to push through.. It did get easier over time, but I still get a bit nervous when presenting in front of peers (kids are easy for me). But I can do it now without it becoming too overwhelming.

Do you have any friends in any of your classes? If so, maybe you could share with them that it makes you nervous to present? If not there, are there other people in your life you can share it with? I know for me that if I tried to pretend I wasn't scared that didn't really work. I was scared. I needed to acknowledge that at least to myself and if possible to people around me. It would take the power away when I learned others were scared also, and the best way to fight the fear is to feel it and do the action anyway.

Finally, can you work on trying to change your thoughts? It sounds like you know at some level that people aren't really judging you and that they mostly aren't listnening much anyway. Try to remind yourself that they aren't actually making fun of you and judging you. I am guessing they aren't, is that right?

Thanks for posting and I hope you will let is know how it is going!

[pngindreamr]

I felt a lot better about this once I got to college and had an amazing Public Speaking professor. He reassured us that nobody in the class is judging you because they have to do it too. Most of them are just as nervous as you. Everyone usually applauds after you give your presentations. Any critics you get from the teacher take as good feedback to help you in the future. I usually look back at the wall and find something I want to focus my eyes on, I do not look at people's faces. That helps a lot. Also practice, practice, practice. The more you do the presentation in front of your friends and family you will feel more comfortable before you go to the class. Good luck!

[optimize990h]

Originally Posted by snugglebeary

Since the school year is about to start in 17 more days, I need help with presentations.

Usually there are some projects that are major test grades and I will always avoid them because I'm too nervous to go in front of people and talk. I feel like when I do they are judging me and making fun of me in their minds and after I'm done they're just going to talk badly about me behind my backs saying that I'm stupid or whatever. I hate it when people stare at me and the teacher usually makes them watch. I know that when it comes to presentations that usually the other students don't listen, but I'm still EXTREMELY nervous.

Do any of you guys know any remedies for this? I really need some help with this.

I usually practice visualizing the people I am talking to are naked or that they have to go to the bath room like the rest of us. i try to make eye contact with each one during the verbal presentation and mark them with their name(at the back of my mind). Meanwhile, I am moving along with my presentation calming down. Hope that helps..

[misschief]

they're probably thinking your project is better than theirs and that they should have spent more time studying and less time watching t.v.

that's what I'd be thinking, anyway..

[growlycat]

One thing that helps in public speaking is to practice being comfortable with pockets of silence. It's ok to pause between sentences! If there are nasty people in the "audience" focus over their heads or look past or "through" them. Try to focus on friendly faces in the crowd. Take full easy breaths. Controlling your breathing helps a lot

[Silent_tsol]

I find it helps to go in the first half. Then at least half the class is too busy trying to remember what they need to say I assume they have no time to pay attention to me.

Also look at everyone's hair. It makes it look like you are at least attempting eye contact but you don't actually have to look at anyone.

[Miswimmy1]

Look at the wall behind the ppl... It looks liek eye contact. Also breathe before u go on. Anxiety makes it so that we catch our breath, our brains don't get enough oxygen, and we feel even more stressed. Pharma Gabba is a natural anxiety reliever (a dietary supplement) that has no side effects and I do not think interacts with any other med. I suggest trying it out... Best of luck!

[Hope1212]

I've been there! Presentations were and still are a challenge for me. Know that there are other people in the class that are probably feeling the same way. Try looking for a friendly face and focus your attention on that person. Try practicing your presentation at home. Even try doing your presentation in front of your parents. The better prepared you are, the better off you'll feel. If you have friends in the class, ask if they wouldn't mind listening to your presentation. Be upfront with them, say your a little nervous, and you would love their feedback. If the anxiety because overbearing, perhaps ask your teacher if you could break up into groups and give your presentation to a smaller group of students.