Presentation

I'm nervous. Tomorrow I have to hold a 40 minute presentation of my graduation project. This will be before faculty and students. I expect approximately 25 people to attend. Since they're all scientists, it's in their nature to be very critical of my work, and I'm not even very confident about it myself. So I'm extremely nervous. I wish I didn't have to do it.

Have any of you done something like this before? If so, do you have any suggestions how to alleviate the tension?

I've already practised once before my parents and a friend of the family who helps students with this sort of thing at another department of the same university. This went pretty good. But now I'll have to do it before a much larger audience who, thanks to my avoidance, are mostly complete strangers. Also, I expect that speaking up is going to be a problem.

Any advice and encouragement would be much appreciated.

Remember that they are there to see you, you are the reason. So show them what you've done.

First of all, i'm so glad that you haven't let your avoidance put your life on hold or destroy your opportunities. I have really bad anxiety, which has ruined my potential in exams, presentations etc. (maybe im not the best person to give you advice!)
However, just try to think rationally & think how proud of yourself you will be for having the courage to do it regardless of the outcome. Try to remember that the audience aren't there to judge your personality & they prob won't be focussing on you but rather trying to point out criticisms in your work and what your saying - nobody will really notice how nervous you are.
Just do this to prove a point to yourself rather than anyone else. Nobody will expect you to be perfect, just keep a grasp on what youre trying to say & it should go fine - in fact i know it will.
Also, i guarentee that when its over, you'll forget what you were so afraid of & become more confident at it in the future.
Let us know how it goes !
Jo x

I agree, you are very brave, GG!

I don't really know what advice to give, as I avoid presentations like the plague (or anything involving having attention of more than two people upon me). I have spoken in front of large groups before, and as much as I still hate it, I have found that people don't notice my nervousness as much as I do.

It sounds like you are prepared, and that is the key ingredient to a good presentation, right? You have done a good job in front of your family and friend, right? I am sure you will do your best in front of your colleagues and teachers. And what else can you ask for?

Rooting for you... and praying for you (if that's ok).

You know your stuff (presentation and what you did) and you speak the technical lingo. So that's all good. You have already presented to your family and it went O.K. Do it the same way.

Regarding speaking up, maybe you can try speaking to the person sitting furthest away. Expect that someone might ask you to speak up and simply oblige. Don't take it as personal criticism or even think about it. They don't know you and only want to hear what you have to say.

I find presentations easier then other types of free speaking (I have only done an honours thesis presentation and such), because you know what you are doing, what questions might be asked, what responses you might give. All the work has already been done.

And yes, afterwards I normally feel much better.

Hope this helps,

Dragonfly.

Phew, it's over. And I lived.

Thank you all for your suggestions and support. I actually found all of your words so encouraging that I printed them out and just read them a few times throughout the day.

I noticed, as I did during the practice talk, that from the moment I started talking, I was too preoccupied with carefully formulating my story to worry about my nerves.

The faculty member who was there to judge my performance occassionally put his hand to his ear indicating that I was talking too softly, as I expected.

And trence, even though I am a heathen, your prayers were also appreciated.

Thank you all again for your encouragements.

Excellent, GG, I'm glad you survived!

Terrific Job...well done!

Sweetngentle

Bravo! It's cool feeling, isn't it?

Dragonfly.