I’m doing a case study for school where I have to present stuff and discuss things in front of the class. The problem with this is that I get WAY too nervous when I get up in front of the class. My voice starts to sound weird, and I’m not really thinking about what I’m saying, I just mumble things out. I don’t have a problem when I go up with a group, but I hate it when I go up by myself. Anyway, does anyone know how I can get rid of nervousness? Any pills, or other things? I really need help.
Just try to relax and calm down. Pretend you don’t care.
Also I think (but am definately NOT recommending) betablockers do what you want
Go to Toastmasters International and participate in their very low cost public speaking programs.
For now, remember to relax, breathe, and maintain eye contact with at least five different people in the audience as you speak. Modulate your voice, don’t use a flat monotone. Always find a way to introduce humor, a break in the serious subject matter really refreshes everyone’s interest.
If possible, leave time for Q&A after your delivery. Be sure to gesticulate and maintain some body dynamics, this prevents the audience from focussing on your voice. Above all, be sure to introduce real life examples of what you are talking about (if possible), this will connect the listeners to your topic.
Practice what you are going to say until you can do it without thinking about it and make sure you have everything properly prepared. Visualize how you’re going to do things ahead of time. Stand up straight, take a few deep breaths, and speak slowly enough that you don’t stumble over the words.
Public speaking is most people’s greatest fear, so remember most of them would have the same problem, you’re not alone up there.
One of the ways to combat nervousness I was taught by my professor was to “play the part”. Whatever the challenging task you’re faced with is, imagine someone who’s good at it, and play the part.
In your case, you would have to imagine a good speaker. Ask yourself: what are the characteristics of a good speaker? How does he look and sound, and what impressions do you get from him? Generally, a good speaker looks professional, exudes confidence, knows (or at least appears to know) what he’s talking about, and is at ease being the focus of attention. Play the part. Imagine such a person in your head, and become him.
Other than that…
What will help you most is knowing your subject matter inside and out. Your mastery of your subject will give you a confidence boost.
When you’re nervous, you tend to think about how you look to your audience. You worry that they can see you losing it, or that they think you don’t know what you’re talking about. Push those thoughts out of your mind. Instead, try to keep your focus on your subject matter or your presentation.
To reiterate what previous posters have said, try to relax, and remember to breathe. Practice in advance what you’re going to say, and practice how you want to say it (as far as your tone of voice, enunciation, pace, etc.) If you can and you’re comfortable with it, do a trial run through your presentation in front of friends or family members, and ask them for feedback.
Unless I was in my smaller classes, I never really did the eye contact thing. I would look in my students’ general direction and slowly look over the entire class, but I never deliberately focused on any one student and/or maintained eye contact with them during my lectures. Trying to do so would have made me nervous and would have shot my concentration all to heck. Of course, YMMV.
Oh, since you asked about it, I don’t think taking any kind of pills is a good idea. I think nervouseness is something better dealt with than danced around. Also, remember that whatever you take might not only affect the quality of your presentation, it will probably affect your ability to function for the entire day, pre and post presentation.
First, practice practice practice.
Get your friends, your family, your dog, etc to listen to your speech (and have them give you some critical feedback.) Do your speech over and over in front of your bathroom mirror till you can (almost) do it without thinking. That should help you to focus more on your delivery and not on rembering the words, one less thing to stress about, right?
Now, if you have access to a video camera video yourself doing your speech. Then watch the evening news or a talk show and see how your delivery differs from the TV presenter’s. Then try to mimic the news caster or Oprah, or whoever. I know it seems really dicky, but if you think that those people are getting PAID to talk that way, they must be doing something right, right? Just try to see if you can repest the way they take breaks, breathe, end their sentences, etc.
So now that you know your speech by heart and you can sound just like Jerry Springer, all you have to is get over the stage fright. And for that, I suggest you find the shyest girl or guy in the room and focus on them. They will be so flattered that you are paying them some attention, they will hang on your every word, and that should help your confidence level. Don’t look at the cool/cute/popular people, that will just make you more self concious, and try not to look at your friends too much, they might make give you the giggles.
Just remeber to breathe, and don’t rush through your speech, you’ll do fine.
Let us know how it goes.
I’ve never tried them myself, but I hear that more professional musicians than you might suspect use beta blockers to combat the symptoms of anxiety/stage fright.
They can alleviate the racing heart, trembling and other things that go with nervousness. The link describes them as “Very safe for most patients. Few side effects. Not habit-forming.”
I think that they’re only available by prescription, but I’m not certain.
I just like to iterate what a couple of others have said and point out that I think it’s the most important.
Most nervousness comes from not being confident that you know the subject you are discussing (or in my case the part you are auditioning for)
Make sure you know you subject back to front and that you are comfortable answering any questions. Practice until you are sure you know it all. Then practice some more. Also try and think of some questions you might be asked and then reply to them.
Generally this is the best way. If you know your stuff you are unlikely to be nervous. There are exercises you can do before you begin to help calm you though. If you want I will try and find out some for you.
Hope tihs helps.