Social Anxiety and presenting in front of people

[Nanalisa]

This year I feel like I've gotten more scared to talk in front of people. In my class, I had to present in a group project that was okay, but I had to do one with my friends that was the worst because I felt I was being laughed at when I told them that I didn't want to read the poster but I had to ugh....

 

I don't want to say I have social anxiety because I don't it's that I don't like presenting in front of people or talk in a group of a lot of people it's just a bad habit of mine..

 

I honestly can't wait till senior year so I can take a public pecking class....   

[Edgemoon]

Maybe it's more a self-confidence problem, try to start thinking that you're second to none

[Shut Up And Take My Money]

I feel you

 

It's soooo hard to get over :/

[Eru is a Blink]

Speaking from personal experience, talking slowly helps.

[Nimz]

I had issues with public speaking too. Being in choir throughout school helped me out somewhat, but it still freaked me out to be up in front of a class alone.

 

Try to keep your speaking pace at normal. If you feel like you're talking too fast, don't be afraid to take a moment to take a breath and steady yourself. I found that if you don't have to stand up at a podium or something walking a little helps. Like as you're presenting move to one side and then slowly to the other. If you have to stay in one place, when you're looking at the poster/screen/etc, turn your body slightly toward it and then back toward the class. Even gesturing your hands a bit helps.

[Nirgil]

Most people feel anxious when they give presentations. You should become more confident eventually if you just keep doing more presentations (by stepping out of your comfort zone).

[T A I G A]

I feel you op, I really dislike presenting in front of people.

 

But this semester, I had so many oral presentations included in my courses, that I was obliged to do it. It allowed me to be a little less scared. The more you do it, the more it you'll improve. It's nerve wracking, trust me I know, but I promise it gets better.

 

However! I think the most important thing you can do is work really hard for your project, know it like the palm of your hand, and be proud of it. If you go unprepared, it'll just result in a scary, embarrassing moment. Rather than just be done with the work itself, be passionate about it.

 

Also, talking loudly, oddly, really helps too. It drowns out other infos which make you uneasy in the first place, recudes the chances of your voice wavering, and it gives you the impression of commanding the room. I suggest people to try.

[vamprosie]

i have social anxiety and I would usually practice my presentations in front of my family and my friends. honestly practicing is really important, you will feel  more confident in knowing what you have to say next etc. be well prepared! try to find out as much about the topic as you can. and try speaking loudly even if it's hard, it helps. 

try writing down what you want to say, but only in keywords and not whole texts otherwise it could sound to scripty (?), if you're allowed to have cards with you during the presentation

 

most people don't like presenting in front of a big group, so don't worry about stuttering or anything, that's normal! also idk if that helps, but most students in my school didn't give a fuck about what the person who was presenting was talking about and they would usually forget about it immediatly after class. they don't care as much as you do, most of the stress is just in your head. 

[tofuetoffee]

Me too. I get sweaty and turn red, and worse my English starts to not make sense, then sometimes someone will chime in to say they can't hear me.

 

I learned that it's okay to pause, to go back and re-explain if you mess up, and don't practice the entire thing word for word too much because when I go off the script I start panicking so now I just maybe go over once or twice and then get the main points down. I over prepare materials so when I usually skip over mentioning something I'll still have enough bulk in the presentation.

 

Edit: Also having strong knowledge of the subject makes it easier since you can fill in and won't panic when people have questions.

 

I still have anxiety presenting but now it's better than years ago.