How do overcome the fear in giving a presentation ?

I remember years ago when I was in nursing school I had to give a twenty minute lecture on an assigned topic. I am not a public speaker either and found it very difficult. We were being tested on everything, the presentation itself, how well we presented it, how well we stood up to the pressure,etc. This was in front of the entire class which was about 250 students, I was terrified. I did get through it and got an almost perfect mark, I later found out the instructor never gave full marks, and I got the highest mark she gives. Here is what helped me; 1. know your topic throughally, no matter what your speech is about if you know it throughally you will not stumble through difficult parts 2. practice, practice, practice before the presentation day 3. look up make eye contact with people in the room especially the teacher/professor- they actually mark for this, if this makes you nervous try to glance back and forth between your paper and the crowd-don't just stare at your paper~ try to focus on those in the crowd you feel most comfortable with 4. Don't think about what your doing conscentrate on what you need to say for the presentation~ just speak clearly 5. Speek up you need to be heard~ imagine that you are talking to a room full of yor best friends 6. For tone just try to speack as if you are speaking to a room full of friends, just like you would normally talk~ monotone usually happens I think when the person doesn't know the presentation and is nervous and just trying to rush through. If this is for the classroom chances are everyone must do it and everyone gets nervous about speeches even those who look so confident or say it doesn't bother them. Just give it your best, thats all anyone can do.

I know so badly, but really SO Badly, how you feel^^ I have been having that problem since I was a little kid (lets say 10 years old), and the only thing you can do about it...Is relax^^ No, that's what they always say, "just relax", but actually the only thing that can make you more relaxed is more practice. By this I mean you can stand there more and more often, and you will be less and less worried about the situation. Ofcourse there is no 1,2,3,POOF, solution... Or no one else would have it. I also don't recommend pills for staying calm, unless you want to keep using them forever. My fear of giving a presentation went away steadily, but now I finally got rid of it. I can stand there relaxed in any kind of situation. It's a tough way, but once you get through using the normal way, you'll feel way better afterwards. So keep up! =)

When I was in college I love to go in front to discuss about my homework. To overcome that fear I think you need to consider yourself as a teacher or presenter and don't mind anything...just think that you present a good things to help them...

I agree with Wordjunkie. Find someone who looks comfortable to you and look directly at him. That would be your comfort zone. And talk to him as if you're trying to convince "him." That's the reason for writing speeches, because you're trying to convince the listener of something. When I subbed a performing arts school in Pittsburgh, there was a little girl who told me she was scared. I told her that if she wanted to be a performer, she must pretend that the audience is not there. This also helps in case there's a heckler. It's as if you're in a movie and you have a role to play. When I was young, I was shy. In high school I took a speech class, was in speech club, and dramatics club. And of all things, I had a sort of phobia of crowds. But I learned from my speech class to act like I'm performing alone and have a message that must be heard. My senior year, I acted in the play Arsenic and Old Lace and wasn't bothered at all by performing in front of others. I was in Forensics contests and didn't do good because I didn't prepare. So if you prepare, then when it comes to the presentation, think of yourself as a performer in a movie, find your comfort zone, and be determined to get your point across.

Be confident is the firstly. Be familiar with what you are going to talk about. well, practice makes perfect. Next time when you stands in front of your audience you can image that they are just a bunch of cabbages they will think nothing even if your presentation is not well given. ha~ isn't this making you feel less nervousness?? hope it will be helpful~~ :)

Well, i am facing the same problem. I feel so nervous in a group even in my classmates. Whenever i go to stage my legs start shivering and when i some how speak out my voice starts shivering which even i can feel. I think i am lacking selfconfidense and my voice is also heavy which is difficult to understand.

As a therapist and counsellor, I have helped many people with this sort of fear. The most important thing is to never let the fear get the better of you and always keep promises to give your talk, if you have made such a promise. Nerves and fears are qute a natural thing for you to feel and having given hundreds of talks myself over the years, I have always found that there is such nervousness. The way to handle it is to always share it at the beginning of the talk. Let it be the first thing that you say. For instance I feel very nervous talking here in front of you all. This will break the ice as everybody sitting in that room would be nervous and many will smile in recognition. Let the nervousness exist as you talk, and share it again if you have to - it is OK for it to be there! Suddenly you will feel empowered and begin to enjoy the challenge and will finish your talk on a high. I have proved time and time again, that this technique will work, but you have to accept what you feel and share what you feel. Good luck with your talk, I am sure you'll be fine. _Derek

I have the same problem =\. I just try to rehearse as much as possible and try my best. Best of luck :)

I experience this many times and I know how exactly it feels for you. I hate the feeling, I hate the nervousness, and I hate knowing that I'm not doing well while I'm actually doing it. But I started getting better when decided to talk more to other people. At work, I socialize with every one and practice to be confident when talking to them so when I'm presenting something to the company on our meeting, I don't feel afraid anymore because I have already communicated with all or most of our staff. I also try to be more funny just to make the environment a bit more comfortable. Nowadays, I don't have this problem anymore after many practices and more communication between me and other staff, I don't feel weird being in front of them and talking by myself anymore

Well I have the same problem I will be doing disco dance on the stage I will be completely shivering and the paper from which I read also start's shaking with my hand but your discussion helped me some what thank you for starting this discussion..

I used to have the same problem in high school. My voice would change so that I had a higher pitch and I would turn all red. I never looked up and this was even when I didn't have to stand in front of the classroom. The thing that changed for me was going to college and having to do a lot of presentations. Practice just makes you better. I don't get nervous for them or not nearly as much anymore. It helps to be very prepared and know the material well. I would just recommend doing as many presentations as possible on subjects that you know and are interested in.

If you're giving the presentation try to focus on the people you know being there, not the strangers. Don't think about them as strangers. Try to pretend they are all people you know so they wouldn't make you nervous. You also should practice talking to strangers more in general. It's useful to have a job talking to people that you could do that would really help you have more courage with people you don't know.

Try to talk more and socialize with your friends bringing up topic and brainstorming will help you to stand up in an audience. Also practice in front of the mirror. You can also bring a cue card or a small index.

try practicing in the mirror or try practicing with your close friends even pets =) i do it once in a while ^_^ kinda feels good when u know nobody is gonna criticize you instead they cheer you up Good luck

i hate talking in front of people too/ they say you are supposed to picture the people in their underwear and practice in front of the mirrow, but it never works for me.

Hi there! Do not worry about that problem because that is actually normal when you are not used to giving presentations. I think the best way to overcome your fear and your worries is to rehearse not only by yourself but with a few people around. You start with a small crowd and move up to a bigger one. I think that might help. That was what my classmate did back in the day. And now he is a good speaker and not to mention, host to a lot of events too. I hope that advise would help.

I have this problem as well. I only recently conquered this fear. The best way to give a presentation is to have fun. Be like a know it all when you're presenting because your class probably don't know what you're talking about, and its a chance for you to shine and enlighten them. If you start having fun while your discussing your topic, you won't even notice that you're scared to present. Just relax and have fun and you'll be fine.

Hi onions! I know it's hard to face a lot of people specially when you are giving presentation. You become conscious that maybe you would commit mistakes or they (the panelist, audience or viewers)would only find fault on you. But rest assured that not only you have this fear, actually all of us are experiencing it whether you're a student, doctor or president of whatever country. But only the difference is how you or they conquer that fear. Inorder to overcome that stage fright or fear first and foremost you must master your piece or your speech that you are going to deliver, discuss or share to your audience. Next be confident inside out. If your audience saw that you are prepared and confident then they would be interested to you and they would pay attention to you from the time you start giving your talk till the end. And last, breath! Breath properly so you won't feel and look stiff on stage. Always remember that you have to give your best shot in whatever you do. Goodluck!

dont be afraid .. i know nervous will come for the first time, but let it go .. enjoy your presentation, and you will overcome your fear .. good luck