How can I stay calm while giving a class presentation?

Question

I have a presentation to give for my college finance class. I am extremely shy. Every time I have to give a presentation , I become so nervous that I start to shake. Are there any techniques to help stay calm while speaking in front of large groups?

Answer 1

You are not alone nearly every one is nervous so to beat this
Firstly study the subject you are talking on so you know it well,
you don`t look the audience in the eye,look up slightly over their heads and focus on some thing at the back wall
take a deep breath before you start, keep your notes close and quickly scan them for tips or things that are hard to remember.
So say that another way to settle your nerves is to imagine the audience sitting there in their undies or nude, but you must watch that you don`t find it funny thinking of the idea

Answer 2

Wow, there were great answers to a similar question here. I wish I had the link. You might ask this question again during the day.

They seldom make students give presentations in college and I'm glad. Switching your focus partly to breathing will help in two ways. It gives oxygen and it diverts the mind away from nervousness.

Every time you get nervous thinking about the presentation, maybe try thinking about the ending of the presentation. Think about how nice it will be to have completed it, instead of how scary it is to give it.

Again, ask again during the day. I had the same problem as you. I think I felt like everyone else in the whole class was less nervous than I. I was probably right.

Addendum: Ella helped remind me! Imagine that the class is sitting on toilets. But don't burst out laughing or anything! Then again if you do, don't tell them why. Just settle down and proceed.

Answer 3

I think it happens to everybody, especially in the initial stage of public speaking. Even professional speakers admit to still feeling nervous. So what more to say us. The trick is not to allow it to show. I do run Orientation Classes in my workplace and it has gotten "normal" for me. I start with Icebreaker and the whole evironment would warm up. If you are able to, maybe you can start with a joke. The more positive response you get, the more encouraged you would feel. No matter what your role is, the principle is the same. Practise your presentation in front of the mirror, then in front of your family members or a few friends. Allow them to give comments. It would make you feel used to your speech and give you more in-depth knowledge as it keeps you thinking of better ideas. Practise to smile even when you are nervous. If you have a rostrum, use it. It provides something to hold on to every now and then and it can hide your "shakiness". Avoid holding paper in your hand during your presentation, as it will show your shaky hands. Take a few deep breaths before your presentation. Good luck.

Answer 4

I know how you feel, i use to be like that but it goe saway with doing it a lot and practice. beofre the event, present it in front of a coule people you know an dfeel comfortable with and then ask them how you can inprove and epresent it to them. do some deep breathing excersizes right before (it really does help) and try to zone out of it a little (lol, not during the presentation) just forget what other htink because pretty nuch everyone fears this. Oh and remember to not rush at all.go slow and take pauses to catch your breath.good luck!

Answer 5

Deep breathing exercises. Make sure your knees are slightly bent so you dont pass out.

Answer 6

Picture your audience in the nude.