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Phobia of presentations (uni)
For ages I've had pretty much a fear of having to stand up in front of a group and give a talk. I had a really bad experience with one in secondary school where it went horribly wrong due to my nerves so that I could hardly get my words out properly, it left me feeling pretty humiliated. I'm not a particularily confident person anyway and ever since then whenever I have to do one it just gives me this feeling of dread that looms over me until it is finally over with.
I had to do a few last year on the 'Access course' I was on, and I ended up pretty much reading to the group and making hardly any eye contact at all, I know that it's best to just learn the stuff off by heart but the thought of doing it made it so nervous that it made it too difficult to even think of preparing all the stuff I needed to say and learning it, if that makes sense.
Anyway, I've just found out yesterday all the course modules I'll be doing in the first year of uni. I have to do 3 group presentations and one individual one (5-10 mins long) which probably doesn't sound bad at all to most people but knowing that has kinda put a downer on how much I was looking forward to going. The group ones I think I'll be alright with just about, because then I don't feel like all the attention is on me when I go up there. I think I might have to drink some booze before the individual one for dutch courage.
Does anyone else have a similar problem? Any advice on how to overcome my phobia? I don't want the negative feelings these presentations give me looming over me throughout the duration of my degree
I had to do a few last year on the 'Access course' I was on, and I ended up pretty much reading to the group and making hardly any eye contact at all, I know that it's best to just learn the stuff off by heart but the thought of doing it made it so nervous that it made it too difficult to even think of preparing all the stuff I needed to say and learning it, if that makes sense.
Anyway, I've just found out yesterday all the course modules I'll be doing in the first year of uni. I have to do 3 group presentations and one individual one (5-10 mins long) which probably doesn't sound bad at all to most people but knowing that has kinda put a downer on how much I was looking forward to going. The group ones I think I'll be alright with just about, because then I don't feel like all the attention is on me when I go up there. I think I might have to drink some booze before the individual one for dutch courage.
Does anyone else have a similar problem? Any advice on how to overcome my phobia? I don't want the negative feelings these presentations give me looming over me throughout the duration of my degree
Scroll to see replies
Reply 1
I think that you might be caught in a vicious cycle, you say it makes you really nervous making it difficult to even prepare for it. Being poorly prepared is my source of nerves when giving a presentation. So in not preparing you make your feelings worse.
This is what I do and it helps for myself:
-Prepare the presentation well in advance
-Have your slides give you hints as to what you should be saying
-Write out exactly what you want to say (don't include it in the presentation, this is just a copy that only you see) and put the slide headings / points above the relevant text. If you forget what you want to say you can look at your notes and easily identify what you should be saying. I don't recommend you just read the notes to the audience, I use them as a backup tool if I get serve nerves and get a mental block.
-Take your time, lots of people rush due to nerves.
-If at all possible insert a video / clip to demonstrate a point. Having them view a video allows you to relax for a while and recompose yourself.
-Run through the presentation to yourself 3-4 times (or more) to smooth out what you want to say.
-Don't drink alcohol/energy drinks/caffeine
-If you have the option give your presentation as early as possible. For example if 10 people are giving a presentation try and get in the 2nd position slot (I like to compare mine to one person before I present). If it's 2-3 people then I like to go first, i find it stops the nerves from escalating to an uncontrollable level.
-Change your perspective of those feelings. When I get nervous it's now an exciting feeling. Use them to get "PUMPED" for your presentation.
One problem I used to have was that I'd always feel like I was going to be sick, or be bursting for a doodoo. Come presentation day, I only eat food that i've eaten before and eat most days. I don't eat 2-3hours before the presentation (if there is nothing in my stomach /haven't eaten a dodgy kebab I can't be sick). It's probably a bit stupid BUT it works for me.
Good Luck
This is what I do and it helps for myself:
-Prepare the presentation well in advance
-Have your slides give you hints as to what you should be saying
-Write out exactly what you want to say (don't include it in the presentation, this is just a copy that only you see) and put the slide headings / points above the relevant text. If you forget what you want to say you can look at your notes and easily identify what you should be saying. I don't recommend you just read the notes to the audience, I use them as a backup tool if I get serve nerves and get a mental block.
-Take your time, lots of people rush due to nerves.
-If at all possible insert a video / clip to demonstrate a point. Having them view a video allows you to relax for a while and recompose yourself.
-Run through the presentation to yourself 3-4 times (or more) to smooth out what you want to say.
-Don't drink alcohol/energy drinks/caffeine
-If you have the option give your presentation as early as possible. For example if 10 people are giving a presentation try and get in the 2nd position slot (I like to compare mine to one person before I present). If it's 2-3 people then I like to go first, i find it stops the nerves from escalating to an uncontrollable level.
-Change your perspective of those feelings. When I get nervous it's now an exciting feeling. Use them to get "PUMPED" for your presentation.
One problem I used to have was that I'd always feel like I was going to be sick, or be bursting for a doodoo. Come presentation day, I only eat food that i've eaten before and eat most days. I don't eat 2-3hours before the presentation (if there is nothing in my stomach /haven't eaten a dodgy kebab I can't be sick). It's probably a bit stupid BUT it works for me.
Good Luck
Reply 2
Lots of people absolutely hate giving presentations; you won't be the only one determined to hate every minute of it. Don't get so worked up about it right now, and don't keep telling yourself how much you'll hate it. Practise feigning confidence, and every time you talk to people in a group setting, like when you're out, remember that you can do it.
I get this too, really badly. Im really confident socially and can talk to anyone and I'm genuinely a pesron he loves to get attention for his looks etc. Im fine presenting to a small group, but around 20 I panic and cannot compose myself, works juggle around, I stuter - which I never do normally and I shake like mad! i don't no how to overcome it, i'm really academic too - so its not as if I need to be nervous of what im talking about 
Reply 4
Hmmm.
Well, what I do is, I remind myself that no one is really listening anyway
Well, what I do is, I remind myself that no one is really listening anyway
Hmm i'm like this too, i've gotten better though over the years through practice, i still really hate them but if i just try and convince myself that actually i want to do it and it'll be fine, it's no big deal etc then it really helps my nerves. Just throw yourself into it and you'll get so involved with the organising and planning of it that you'll forget about actually having to give the presentation, and then by the time you do it'll just be over in a few minutes.
If you keep telling yourself how horrible it is and how much you hate it then you'll never get over it
If you keep telling yourself how horrible it is and how much you hate it then you'll never get over it
Reply 6
I have your problem too but only with a certain situation
I can tell storys to small groups of friends fine, and the thought of going up infront of thousands of strangers doesnt bother me.
But in a quiet, well lit room where all the attention is on you it can become traumatic.
Focus on the subject at hand and not about the people in the room and what they think of you.
And dont try to be too serious, just be cool
This will not only calm your nerves, it actually makes the presentation better and worthwhile
I can tell storys to small groups of friends fine, and the thought of going up infront of thousands of strangers doesnt bother me.
But in a quiet, well lit room where all the attention is on you it can become traumatic.
Focus on the subject at hand and not about the people in the room and what they think of you.
And dont try to be too serious, just be cool
This will not only calm your nerves, it actually makes the presentation better and worthwhile
Reply 7
I'm exactly the same and this was one of the reasons I ended up leaving uni after a year so don't let it get that bad!
I went to the doctor about my anxiety and was prescribed beta blockers to help with the physical symptoms like shaking and stuttering. At first I was supposed to take them all the time but now I save a few and have them if I have something important like a presentation. They really help. A lot of singers take them as well to stop their voice going funny through nerves.
Obviously it's not good to rely on medication, but even if you managed to get through one presentation using them you might feel able to go without for the next one.
If you don't want to go to the doctor about it you could try something from Boots like Kalms.
I went to the doctor about my anxiety and was prescribed beta blockers to help with the physical symptoms like shaking and stuttering. At first I was supposed to take them all the time but now I save a few and have them if I have something important like a presentation. They really help. A lot of singers take them as well to stop their voice going funny through nerves.
Obviously it's not good to rely on medication, but even if you managed to get through one presentation using them you might feel able to go without for the next one.
If you don't want to go to the doctor about it you could try something from Boots like Kalms.
Anonymous
Does anyone else have a similar problem? Any advice on how to overcome my phobia? I don't want the negative feelings these presentations give me looming over me throughout the duration of my degree
Does anyone else have a similar problem? Any advice on how to overcome my phobia? I don't want the negative feelings these presentations give me looming over me throughout the duration of my degree
Depends on how understanding your group is, tell your group you have a phobia about your situation? Hopefully you and the others will be able to practice in a room together to tackle to overcome your fear.
True, i suppose fear from bad experience from childhood would come haunt you but...it'll haunt you even more if you don't tackle this at university. Tackling this is university is the step further of getting a good degree. How desperate do you want to do well on your degree, just ask yourself that.
After university, depending what kind of career your pursuing, soon or later, you'll have to give a presentation some point in life. If i knew someone like you have a fear like you have..i would not laugh at you at all. Its not a laughing issue and university students are considered to be mature people compared to secondary school people.
Not putting the pressure on you but if the group is doing their part, i think its fair and polite to try your very best to contribute as you can. Whats rewarding is the audience clapping for your courage and hardwork.
Reply 9
Its common. Obviously rehearse it with memory techniques and carry flash cards in your pocket just in case.
Reply 10
im the same but my main problem is the fear of going bright red, which i always do
i read that for anxiety to go away you have to get used to the feeling, when your feeling anxious say things to yourself like 'its ok to be anxious, its normal in this situation' instead of thinking ' i feel horrible, this is awful....'...once you get used to feelings of anxiety, they tend to do away..
but i dk if that will work straight away, you'd have to put yourself in loads of anxiety related situations.
ive always wondered if alchol would help..
i read that for anxiety to go away you have to get used to the feeling, when your feeling anxious say things to yourself like 'its ok to be anxious, its normal in this situation' instead of thinking ' i feel horrible, this is awful....'...once you get used to feelings of anxiety, they tend to do away..
but i dk if that will work straight away, you'd have to put yourself in loads of anxiety related situations.
ive always wondered if alchol would help..
Reply 11
Same here. Public speaking absolutely petrifies me - I feel physically sick, shake, turn bright read and stutter. It's just something I cannot do. All the things people told me, like 'relax, breathe, imagine the audience naked, be prepared' never worked. I can be prepared weeks in advance and I'll still turn into a complete wreck on the presentation day. I hate doing them and avoid them at all costs.
I wish I was more confident but I'm just not
I wish I was more confident but I'm just not
Reply 12
Grow a pair.
I think the best thing to do is look out of the audience and try to duplicate what Bill Clinton does.
I think the best thing to do is look out of the audience and try to duplicate what Bill Clinton does.
Reply 13
Thanks for your advice so far people, it has made me feel a bit better. I think I'll be ok with the group presentations , it's the standing up there on my own with all eyes on me that really bothers me. Hopefully if I do a couple of those before I have to do my individual one I might be a bit more comfortable with it. Will probably just try and have a 'F**k it' mentality towards it and convince myself I don't care what people think. I just hope I CAN realise that it's not such a big deal and that I can give a half decent presentation if I try.
Reply 14
Simplicity
Grow a pair.
I think the best thing to do is look out of the audience and try to duplicate what Bill Clinton does.
I think the best thing to do is look out of the audience and try to duplicate what Bill Clinton does.
I'm a girl, I can't grow a pair
Reply 15
Anonymous
I'm a girl, I can't grow a pair
Do you know Rational emotive therapy?
Try that.
I get nervous before anything like that too. Believe me, a "**** it" mentality does actually work. Realise that it has to be done, no you can't run away and yes, people are looking at you. It makes it worse to think about trying to get out of it, or think about being nervous. What's the worst that could happen? Nothing CAN really happen. Sometimes if you mess up, people will laugh with you, as long as you laugh with yourself. Speaking confidently makes you look far better than if you speak nervously.
A couple of months ago, I had to do a speech in front of a group of about 60 middle-aged men for sponsoring for Lourdes. I was PETRIFIED. Two other girls had to do it too. However, I stood up, cleared my head, thought "**** it" and just talked, loudly and clearly. I messed up a bit because I didn't know how to end my speech and I'd prepared none of it through lack of time. But I realised it would be over in only a few seconds, and getting it over with in a positive manner is the only thing you can do. Afterwards, they were all praising us on how confident we were
A couple of months ago, I had to do a speech in front of a group of about 60 middle-aged men for sponsoring for Lourdes. I was PETRIFIED. Two other girls had to do it too. However, I stood up, cleared my head, thought "**** it" and just talked, loudly and clearly. I messed up a bit because I didn't know how to end my speech and I'd prepared none of it through lack of time. But I realised it would be over in only a few seconds, and getting it over with in a positive manner is the only thing you can do. Afterwards, they were all praising us on how confident we were
Reply 18
DAFOne
Wait a second. What does Bill Clinton do?
He looks at nearly every single person to make people feel like he is talking to you instead of a group of people. Anyway, that was the advice given to me by Rob Wilson a tory mp, how is a good speaker to.
Reply 19
saaaaaame!!!!!!!
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