Help, under pressure.

I have a presentation tomorrow and I HAVE to go in or else I fail, I have anxiety and have heard that a few people have on here and I sometimes turn round and go home because I think im going to die or pass out. The presentation makes things even worse, I don't think I'l be able to sleep tonight making things even worse! Any advice? :redface:

Im scared of 2 things mainly - having a panic attack in class and turning round to go back home (resulting in failure).

Reply 1

Snowfall

10

Prepare well. Have prompt cards if needed and it's allowed.

Make sure you know your presentation well. This will help you not feel like "OMG I dunno what I'm supposed to say, I'm gonna fail"

Breathe. Talking slow and loudly will make you sound confident. Breathing properly will calm you. In through the nose, out through the mouth..or something like that :wink:

Don't just rush through because it's a presentation. The way you present it is going to count so don't just reel off the presentation like it's all one sentense. Slow, loud, and breathe.

Remember that most of the people in your class probably won't even be listening. (I've had to do and listen to many and have to admit don't always listen because it's boring/a presentation on something I already know or don't need to know and notice that not everyone is listening to my presentations)

There are calming drops or things to smell or something. My friend uses them.

Probably best not to drink coke/coffee/things with caffeine in as you may get over anxious.

That's all I can think of right now.

Reply 2

Anonymous #1

OP

Snowfall

Prepare well. Have prompt cards if needed and it's allowed.

Make sure you know your presentation well. This will help you not feel like "OMG I dunno what I'm supposed to say, I'm gonna fail"

Breathe. Talking slow and loudly will make you sound confident. Breathing properly will calm you. In through the nose, out through the mouth..or something like that :wink:

Don't just rush through because it's a presentation. The way you present it is going to count so don't just reel off the presentation like it's all one sentense. Slow, loud, and breathe.

Remember that most of the people in your class probably won't even be listening. (I've had to do and listen to many and have to admit don't always listen because it's boring/a presentation on something I already know or don't need to know and notice that not everyone is listening to my presentations)

There are calming drops or things to smell or something. My friend uses them.

Probably best not to drink coke/coffee/things with caffeine in as you may get over anxious.

That's all I can think of right now.

Thanks I'l take all that advice! Its just with me there are 2 types of anxiety, the excited anxious shaky type you get before a presentation or going on a roller coaster or something. Then there is the worst feeling in the world type where I think im going to faint or have a fit and I can't cope with staying put or my thoughts. The latter is worse.

Reply 3

Snowfall

10

Perhaps you should mention to your teacher that you have an anxiety problem so they can take that into account?

Also having a glass of water near you in case your mouth dries up might help..

Don't worry. Everyone gets nervous. Honestly. Even people who have done loads of presentations/performed in front of lots of people, like myself, still get nervous before a presentation!

Don't cop out though because you'll fail. It's better to get a lower mark than expected than to get a fail.

Reply 4

yellow96

15

I don't get nervous giving presentations and the sort, but I do have an anxiety problem and I find one way of dealing with it, if I have that gut feeling that I'm gonna be REALLY nervous about something, is to give myself plenty of time and let myself get all worked up and panicky. It usually passes and leaves me much calmer than before. It's hard to explain really, but it's like I reach a point where I can't possibly get any more nervous and so I just calm down. My point is that if all the above techniques fail, it might be worth just going with the feeling and letting it pass. Good luck!

Reply 5

scutt

1

I used to *loathe* presentations, i'd shake, my voice was all over the show, i'd stammer etc. I don't really have any tips, as it's just gotten easier as i've done more and more. Things i find that help though:

- KNOW the presentation. Know the material, know what you want to happen at certain bits, know everything! Have que-cards, they're a lifesaver. If you can't be happy doing the presentation, at least be happy you know the material.
- Care about it. It's so much easier to get some passion, emphasis etc going on if you actually care about the subject matter.
- Relax before going in. Whether it's joking with some friends, or listening to a few songs outside.. let the presentation dissapear from the front of your mind.
- Water. Like someone else said, it's great. It saves you if your mouth dries up but OMG-EVEN BETTER it can be a prop :biggrin:

. Need a moment to collect your thoughts? Have a sip. Forgotten what the hell to say? Have a sip!

Best of luck, what's the presentation on? :smile:

Reply 6

Anthonyjm71

9

Anonymous

I have a presentation tomorrow and I HAVE to go in or else I fail, I have anxiety and have heard that a few people have on here and I sometimes turn round and go home because I think im going to die or pass out. The presentation makes things even worse, I don't think I'l be able to sleep tonight making things even worse! Any advice? :redface:

Im scared of 2 things mainly - having a panic attack in class and turning round to go back home (resulting in failure).

try and remain calm be confinate or try to be if all else fail pretend to be.

Help, under pressure.

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