how to not get nervous when presenting?

Question

this wednesday i have to do a senior presentation, and im so nervous, ive never been so nervous in my life, feel like throwin up every time i think of doin the presentation. i had a bad experience once, i was new to a class and the teacher made me present somethin i didnt know about, and i didnt know what to say, so my voice craked,i started getin red, i started sweating, and then i started shaking and everybody noticed! i was so embarrassed, since then everytime we have to do a presentation, i try to be the one that just holds the poster and try not to talk, and when i do, even if i say one word my voice cracks, and what really worries me about the next presentation is that the oral speech has to be 5 minutes long! i know this is nothin for some people, but for me its like 5 hours, ive tried peoples advices about practici, and thinkin about the audiences underwear, but im still so nervous! i think that i jus need to forget about that bad experience that i had but i dunno, please help!

i know about practicing with family members or friends, in front of the mirror, imaginin underwears, takin deep breaths, please give me some new or more advice!!! thank u

Answer 1

I used to have a lot of stage fright too, but now I do presentations for the public every day as part of my work and it doesn't bother me at all. So you CAN overcome stage fright!

What helped me the most, I think, was to practice, practice practice. Get some of your friends to listen to your practice talk, and give you advice. Go over your talk so many times that you know it by heart. If it's ingrained into your brain, the chances are very small that you'll forget what to say. Practice it in your head on the bus, while you're walking, before you go to sleep.

Also, try imagining that the audience are your friends, and you're trying to explain something to them. Not as in a talk, but just as a casual explanation in an everyday conversation.

The last thing: make a conscious attempt not to think about your talk when you're not practicing. Worrying only makes you more nervous, and won't improve your talk. Every time you find yourself worrying, say to yourself: "I'm not going to think about this". You CAN make it work.

These things really helped me, and I hope they'll help you. Best of luck - but you won't need it. YOU CAN DO IT!

Answer 2

Well, in future ask for professional help, but since this is an emergency, and You have but a few days, I think the next might help.
1. You do want to present, right? I mean, You must be good at what You do, You probably know all about it, and nobody knows it better..that`s why Your boss picked You.
2.If You know Your matter, then it`s very unlikely You`ll say something stupid...
3. Just talking about things You do (and do so good, obviously) can`t be that horrible, what can go wrong? O.Kay, how bad can it be? Why would any of these things happen? So, what if Your voice cracks,...,take a look at Your notes, concentrate on them, and continue talking...
4. Of course You`ll be nervous, everybody is when presenting, stay focused on the things You talk of, not the (naked :-) )audience, or Your voice (You`re not singing, You can if You want to, that would be something-singing presentation)or Your boss, or I don`t know what...
5. At the bottom of it, only the good things You say can count, so make sure You nail them all...
Hope this helps at least a little bit, good luck.

Answer 3

first, i would like you to know that public speaking is the number one fear among humans. even worse than death. so, don't feel bad that you're afraid. but, while i think that practicing in front of strangers is the best way... it may be an unlikely situation. is it possible that you are uncomfortable with even one-on-one confrontations? i have found that just being comfortable with people in general really improved my confidence while speaking in front of people (which is a major part of my career). so, you might want to try starting conversations with complete strangers in all different situations. unfortunately, it may depend on how good looking you are, how annoying they find you... but, you know what? who cares? you'll probably never see them again in your life. and, in case you're worried about what people think of you, they are likely to remember you and your conversation for a total of about 5 minutes (unless, they find you attractive, then they might remember you in a good way. he he). i know how horrible it sounds, but you'll probably have to ask for directions. the thing is, you just need to be comfortable with whatever you might think other people think of you. i realize you may not have enough time for this to really work. so, i'm going to assume that you are actually knowledgeable on your subject.... i dissagree with the person above me who advised you to memorize your presentation, because if anyone or anything interrupts you, you're screwed. just make sure you know what you're talking about, so if someone were to ask you a question, you'd be able to answer it. i suggest studying the material the night before... but, completely blocking it right before and thinking about something funny and unrelated... actually pay attention to the other presentations before you. then, while you're speaking, just think about how everyone listening has absolutely no idea what you're talking about... and, you're smarter than all of them (on this particular subject, anyway). good luck.

Answer 4

Remember they wipe their butt's the same way you do, and if that does not help then dont look in their eyes, look in the space between their eyes and pretend u are talking to yourself.

Answer 5

practice wit ur family or friends and try to get da audience on ur side

Answer 6

practice to over come stage fear