Presenting in front of a class of about 50 tomorrow...tips?

[Fakhter]

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I get really nervous when presenting. Do you guys have any secrets or tips to try prevent this? One of my fellow classmates told me to just pretend nobody is in the crowd. Has anyone tried this? Thanks

 

[Geebeejay]

Picture the audience in their underwear?

I honestly think practice makes perfect. Might be too late now, but practice talking about your topic to friends, girls, guys, strangers (maybe at a bar) to the point you are so comfortable talking about your topic that it doesn't matter who you are presenting to and what the gravity of your presentation is.

 

[TheWeeIceMan]

I don't know about you, but I always start talking way too fast when I give presentations. I try to actively slow myself down, which helps me a lot. Also, I'm much less nervous when I know what I'll be saying backwards and forwards.

 

[plumhill]

I know these sound very cliche, but make sure you take a deep breath, relax, and take your time as you speak. Make sure your notes (if you have any) are clearly written so that you don't get lost in them as you speak Also, as another poster said, practice makes perfect. Talk to yourself in the mirror until you feel more confident in your words.

Also, given that its the end of the year, you can assume that at least half of the class is zoning out, and therefore isn't going to notice/care if you mess up...so that should help you feel less nervous, hopefully!

 

[Amba]

In the words of my PI - "just walk up there like you're the biggest bad*** in the room". I do tell myself that now when I present, and I've noticed confidence is key. Of course, being well-prepared is necessary as well.

 

[eefen]

It often helps to remember that everyone you're talking to would be just as nervous - you're all on the same team. They won't laugh and point. They get it.

Also, it helps if you can make them laugh right off the bat. That can backfire, though. 🙄

 

[487806]

Picture the audience in their underwear?

I honestly think practice makes perfect. Might be too late now, but practice talking about your topic to friends, girls, guys, strangers (maybe at a bar) to the point you are so comfortable talking about your topic that it doesn't matter who you are presenting to and what the gravity of your presentation is.

In the case of girls, I would pass out. In the case of guys, I will remain indifferent.

@OP, practice with your friends or family the day before presenting. You'll be fine.

 

[Frazier]

Imagine that no one is listening to you or paying attention. They are all off in their own little world.

If your university is like mine, you won't even need to pretend.

 

[Redpancreas]

Quick Tip:

Don't lock your knees!

 

[AdrianVeidt]

Understand that you are the only person in the room who knows 100% what you are going to say, so if you mess up, play it off because no one will know really meant to say.

 

[SteinmetzMD]

Practice, practice, practice! I get nervous presenting too, and if you memorize your speech like an actor memorizes their lines, you'll be a lot more likely to stay in course when the nerves hit.

 

[survivordo]

Is this for an undergrad class? Think of it this way, how much attention do you really give when other people are presenting? You probably just kinda half listen and if they mess up you don't think too much of it. Everyone else is in the same boat as you! Probably the only two people in the room paying close attention to your presentation will be you and your prof. Crowd of two is a lot better than a crowd of 50!

Survivor DO

 

[SpaceyWacey]

I like to pick three points in the room that are right over some peoples heads and alternate between looking at these points. That way you don't have to look at people but it looks like you are talking to the whole room. Also if you have really good friends in your class DO NOT look at them!!!! I swear to goodness my friends always manage to get me smiling stupidly in or to make me burst out laughing the middle of a presentation. Good luck!

 

[Amba]

Well, how'd it go OP?

Sent from my HTC Desire CDMA using SDN Mobile

 

[487806]

I like to pick three points in the room that are right over some peoples heads and alternate between looking at these points. That way you don't have to look at people but it looks like you are talking to the whole room. Also if you have really good friends in your class DO NOT look at them!!!! I swear to goodness my friends always manage to get me smiling stupidly in or to make me burst out laughing the middle of a presentation. Good luck!

Yeah, that was quite a show.

 

[Fakhter]

Well, how'd it go OP?

Sent from my HTC Desire CDMA using SDN Mobile

It went very well i'm very confident I got an A. Thanks for the advice guys

 

[Gauss44]

Never mind.

 

[EnergyDrink]

Well, I guess its over. But here is the main thing I've picked up after doing a few conferences.

-Know the main point about each slide, so if all else fails, just get to that point.
-Know the first 3 slides solid. After that, your nerves will subside.
-Take a few seconds to pause if you need to. Get a sip of water or pretend to look at your notes. A 5 second pause feels like forever, but the audience doesn't care.

 

[Serrulata]

Some people are natural born presenters. I was not one of these people (by a long shot). But I kept putting myself in situations where I had to present (different clubs, leadership positions). I screwed up the first few times but now I look forward to these opportunities (and this transition took a few years). It's all about practicing and learning from your mistakes (speaking too fast, forgetting what you're trying to say, mumbling, etc). Once you overcome these things, you'll develop a confidence that will be tremendously helpful.