itâll be over before you know itÂ
pretend like youâre obama (itâll help you talk slower)
in a class setting, people donât typically pay attention anyways so itâs not like your classmates are watching your every move. they donât care.
bring up a note card with important topics or quotes
make eye contact if you can
or look at peopleâs hair. itâll make it seem like youâre making eye contact, but itâll be less awkward
donât memorize your entire speech. instead, memorize a couple bullet points of topics you need to hit
project your voice as if youâre speaking to someone sitting in the back of the room
talk with your hands to help you feel more warm and welcoming
donât put your hands in your pockets
walk around a bit, but let it come organically. donât force it.
donât bounce one leg the whole time, itâs distracting
donât eat a big meal prior
if you have to present for a certain number of minutes, have a friend sit in the back of the room and hold up finger signs for how many minutes youâve been up there
donât wear loud jewelry
practice your presentation/speech to a friend or family member who is unfamiliar with the material. if they donât understand your presentation or donât follow, you need to be more detailed
stick to the built-in themes on power point. yes, colors are pretty, but some color combos can be hard to read, and you wonât know it until itâs up on a big screen/projector.
put pictures in your power point. theyâre more entertaining to look at than a paragraph of text.
speak with formal language. stay away from curse words and slang.
remember that everyone in your class is going through the same stress.
if you absolutely cannot handle the idea of public speaking, talk to your teacher and see if itâs okay for you to do your presentation after class.
