Fear of presenting in front of the class

Philippines
May 22, 2007 9:16am CST
My biggest problem at school is having to present in front of my classmates. I always prepare my topic few days before the due date and I must say I'm almost always satisfied with what I did but when presentation day comes, I chicken out and ends up not attending that particular class. I get a failing grade because of this. Can anybody suggest anything that i can do to overcome this fear?
2 people like this
6 responses
@lynboobsy11 (11343)
• Philippines
23 May 07
-When i was in highschool and is asked to present or to report in front of the class, i don't usually prepare my presentation few days before the due date, it makes me more nervous and driving me nuts i prepare it 1 day before the duedate. hehe but in your case you are doing it few days before the due date and i might consider that it should make you more ready right? I think you should practice more or just a suggestion, try to go infront of the mirror and practice your speech hehe. i did it when i was in highschool and it made me more confident because i memorized my speech and my gestures hehe. and im so happy having a high grade. just try and see if it would make you feel better.. GOODLUCK!!
• Philippines
24 May 07
another way will be to do a practice presentation inside a classroom with a few good friend classmates for an audience. you will be more courageous because the teacher is not present. having been through it before, the fear at failing during the presentation is very much lessened. also, remember that the teacher is only a person, too. she is just like you who went through the same experience you are having right now. she would not have required her students to make class reporting and presentations if she had not experienced it, too.
• United States
22 May 07
When I was in high school I was terrified to speak in front of the class. My hands would shake and I would get really embarrassed because I had no confidence. Maybe it's because I was not very popular in high school and I worried about what people would think of me. Now that I am in college though, I don't know what happened, but I never get scared while presenting. Maybe it is because I am able to pick topics I'm really interested in now, so I am able to talk about the topic freely and I know my material very well. One tip then, would be to try and pick a topic you're very interested in so you're more excited to present it to everyone. The only other thing I can advise is, just remember that everyone else has to present their topic as well, so they have to go through the same thing. Also, once you finish, it's all over and you won't have to worry about it anymore. The time always goes by very quickly when you're presenting something. Ten minutes will seem like five minutes, so it will be over before you know it!
1 person likes this
• Philippines
28 May 07
I am also in college right now but i still haven't conquered my fear of presentation. One thing though, I can't always choose which topic I can discuss because professors sometimes assign topics randomly. I was actually thinking of going to a psychiatrist or something. haha goodluck for me!
• Philippines
24 May 07
hey, that is normal. everyone who makes their presentation or report in front of the class have these quivers. place a coin in each foot, if you wear socks, it will be inside that sock, too. the coin must be in contact with your skin. this will somehow give you some self confidence. a magnetic coin or metal will even do much better. the good effect that these materials will give you is, they will help you stabilize your palpitations. now, go ahead and do that presentation. you will know that you can do it. those fears are unfounded. it is natural to feel that stage fright. go, girl, you can do it. condition your mind that you can do it. then do it come what may. it is just a matter of having the courage. get it then from those coins. i should know, i always did it when i was still a student.
• China
25 May 07
nice try~
• Philippines
28 May 07
Is that for real? haha.. It may seem so gullible of me but I'll give anything a try just to put this fear to oblivion. haha. thanx
@lizeri (533)
• Philippines
25 May 07
Well, you must practice and expect the unexpected. There are things that really come on your way without knowing.
@laltu86 (1249)
• India
30 May 07
Its not a big deal is you fear the presentation day i also did, but some friend of mine said something which helped me a lot: 1. Be prepered. 2. Present the presentation before the mirror before you actually do. 3. While presentation always have the feeling that whatever you say is correct and no one in the room can contradict you . HAve a good day ahead.
• India
22 May 07
As a student i also faced the same problems but now i am a lecturer Its very simple try to gather people who are younger to you may be your neighbour children or friends sisters or brothers so u make a different group of people and try to explain the topic you choosen then let them to put as many question as possible even you try to explain the same to your parents and your younger ones .... try to develop the confidence before going to class later make some friends in the same class and then try to explain the same topic to these friends and repeat the same process till you get self satisfication..... Try try until you get success Never give up your hope
1 person likes this
22 May 07
Acknowledge the reasons that you have for fearing doing it in class and try to work on it little by little. You prepared a lot for your presentation and your classmates or audience are expecting that they will learn something from you. Just think of every presentation activity as your way to share your learnings with them. Give them the benefit to hear what you have to say on that topic. Enough preparation should give you half of the confidence you need, the other half should come from yourself. Motivate to face and conquer your fear. Good luck on your next presentation.