Any help on my presentation ...?

Question

I'm a really shy person... butI have to read a story I wrote to the class and be critiqued. However, my problem is that whenever I speak in that class, I blush. I can just feel my face getting warm. It embarrasses me even more, and so I turn even more red!

Also, when I read in front of people, I feel short of breath and I have to pause too often. It only displays my nervousness even more, I don't know how I can keep my voice strong while reading for so long.
I wouldn't mind the presentation if it were anything BUT reading an essay I wrote out loud.
I can't look up, because it's not that type of presentation so I'll feel like people are judging me while I speak.

Any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks.

Is there anything I can take to relax me... any food, drinks?
I heard Tylenol is supposed to help, but I'm not sure if that's just bull.

Answer 1

Based on my own experience with presentations, I would suggest:
-make sure you know everything about your subject,
-before you start speaking, look at the rest of the class (as if you cannot see anyone really important -just think of it, if necessary),
-use a pencil to underline words, mark and tick parts of your text as you read (helps control the flow, concentrate on reading, and ignore the environment),
-do not drink any kind of coffee before the presentation.

Remember that during your presentation it' s YOUR voice and YOUR work that counts (for the teacher, at least). All others are just negligible.

Answer 2

I'm sorry that I can't give you a quick fix, but having been there myself I can give some pointers. It's difficult when you feel that all eyes are focused on you. First of all, deep breathing is important, so take frequent deep breaths. Make sure you pause and try to speak a little slower than you normally would, instead of rushing through it. It helps to have a friend in class that you can look to for positive re-inforcement. If not, smile often, and people will smile back and this will give you confidence. Drink plenty of liquids beforehand, and if possible, have a water bottle to sip on and hold before, during, and after your presentation. It helps serves as a crutch.

Instead of trying to be perfect in front of others, try a shame-attacking technique, like dropping a pencil or paper in front of everybody. It shows your humaness and reinforces in your mind the thought that if you make a mistake, you can handle it, and people will accept you regardless.

I have seen so many people sweat and blush in presentations that it is no big deal. Whose gonna remember it in a week, month, or year anyway. More people do it and chances are you will see other people do it who have to speak also. Just believe in yourself and tell yourself, that what ever comes your way, you can handle it. Having a sense of humor over it all really helps also.

Make sure you look up often. This will help. People really want to know what you have to say and how it affects them. They are not judging you like you may think. People are really more concerned about themselves instead of whether you blush or not.

Work on cognative therapy if you want to overcome this for good. I know you can handle it. Good Luck.

Answer 3

the fact that you do not have to look up is in this instance a bonus. because on the page you can have small confidence builders, such as Breath , stay calm you are doing great. it will be like a silent cheer. this way you can concentrate on reading your essay and not worry about what people are thinking and by the way they all have to do this so they are not going to judge you only look for ideas to boost up their own confidence. As for blushing, don't worry it is a responce to being under stress and there is nothing you can do about it other than try to be less stressed, and again the little confidence boosters will help you remain focused

Answer 4

I'm sorta like that too! Just do it slowly, and ask to be near last. (If the whole class has stories too.) Don't look up if you can't, but if you do, look past your class, or look around the room. When you first start, Look around the room to make sure everyone is listening. Then start reading. When you look up, have a look that says, if-you-look-away-your-gonna-get-it! (But not that harsh!) If you mess up, sorta smile, and keep going! You'll do great!

Answer 5

Theres no quick fix. Its just phychological. If you know inside that your work is good enough and that you as a person are good enough to be there doing the presentation then theres nothing to be embarrassed about. If your not confident, pretent your confident!

Answer 6

You sound like me when I was younger, and with age it won't be as hard, but, even in college, when I had to stand in front of the class and make a speech, or act like the teacher or anything in front of people, my knees would shake, my voice would shake, it was really bad. One thing that helps is don't think about your class listening to you, just forget they are there, I know that sounds hard, but, just act like, what's the worst that could happen, I stumble on a word or so, big deal....also, if you could have somthing in your presentation, visual, for them to look at, and you could point out at various stages, that keeps them from directly paying attention just on you, which they are all out there more than likely thinking, gosh, I'm going to be up there soon, and probably arn't even listening, which I'm not saying it's boring, but, they are thinking they will have to do the same as you...and look out there, when you first walk up to the front, breathe, make direct eye contact....look out there at them...it's not as bad as you think...looking at them, memorize what you are going to say...instead of just reading it, memorize it, use your paper as a back-up, think about yourself as being the most popular, beautiful/or handsome person in the world, everyone wishes they were you...think highly of yourself, and remember to breathe. and don't speak too fast, speak fluently, pronouncing and if you can and if it can call for it, emphasize your voice, this will help cover if you are nervous, just act like it's acting, because, when you get older, you don't really care what people think about you, and when you are in school, it is how people think about you, you think, but, it doesn't matter years to come....make this a time for you to get enough courage and show them all you are on top of this assignment, and just WOW them....I did, when I was a senior, I was so shy, I wouldn't raise my hand even if I knew the answer, and my best friends made me go out for majorette, I was homey looking, so I thought, now people tell me I wasn't, but, teachers ect...were judges and when I got out there and performed and did my dance and my routines ect...they were so shocked at me, that I made it.....and once I got out there on the field with thousands watching me, started wearing make-up, everyone just said I bloomed that year, even had a guy I wanted for 7 years ask me out, which of course I turned down, but, I loved that feeling, that feeling them calling my name, me, little homey me, and I'm out there, all eyes on me, and it felt good...so, think about this as something that can change your life all for the better, even if your nervous, if you will breathe, take your time, forget about if you are going to mess up or anyone is looking at you...you will do great...hope it all goes well, and if you need anymore advice, if this helped at all email me or im...good luck...and you will do great...just believe in yourself..

Answer 7

the best thing to do is imagine you are in the artic and there is nobody there exept the penguins lol