Anyone else PARANIOD about giving oral presentations??

Tweety, BSN, RN · Sep 12, 2004

I was always terrified to give speeches. During my speech class the instructor noted that I never lost that nervousness after 4 speeches. So I can certainly relate. The only advice I can give is that if they ask for volunteers find it in yourself to volunteer first or second to get it out of the way so you don't have time in class to sit there and get nervous.

The other is to put things in perspective. When you think about it, what is there to be nervous about? Everyone is in the same boat. Be prepared and practiced and remember to breathe. Good luck!

maliat · Sep 12, 2004

I've had to do lots of presentations and my suggestion is to practice, practice, practice. You don't want to have your total speech written out, but notes to go from. And it helps if you can practice in the same basic situation, like in the classroom you're going to be in. I've done presenations where I was very sick and the only way I got through them was through lots of practice and knowing the material beforehand.

Malia

Altra, BSN, RN · Sep 13, 2004

Hang in there ...

Last semester we had to do a group health teaching project/presentation to a group of LTC residents. One girl in our group, who had an AWESOME part put together, was so pale & shaky beforehand that we took her pulse -- 160!!

But she got through it. I'm sure she didn't particularly enjoy the experience, but the point is, she got through it. I agree with the poster above who said to try to get it out of the way early if your instructor asks for volunteers. Nothing worse than sitting there throughout the class period getting more nervous by the minute.

Good luck -- bet you'll do better than you think! :) Let us know how it goes!

purplekath · Sep 13, 2004

I don't know anyone who really loves speeches, but you sound like you're extra paranoid - poor thing :-(

I agree - practice heaps. What I do is write out my whole speech as I'm planning on saying it, including jokes and everything! Then I read it again and again to the cat...or to myself at home. After awhile you'll find that you're not looking so much at the paper, because you're starting to memorise the speech.

When you find that you hardly have to look at all THEN write down the main points on little palm cards. Then start practicing using them. Eventually you'll be so darned sick of that speech that it won't make you nervous! And you can just take your palm cards on the day.

On the day - no matter how scared you feel, FAKE it -- exude confidence!! Smile and make lots of eye contact (esp with the person marking your talk). Remember that YOU know what's in your speech but THEY don't -- so don't even worry about mistakes....just breeze on by and pretend they never happened. Nobody will notice.

Good luck!!

maire, ASN, RN · Sep 13, 2004

Hmm has anybody ever tried the "imagine your audience in their skivvies" thing? I wonder if that works? Would definitely make you smile!

Good luck; you'll get through it! :)

futurenp · Sep 13, 2004

I can REALLY relate. I have panic attacks about doing presentations. I went to the doctor for a prescription and he gave me beta blockers. I ended up having to double the dose and still had a fast heartbeat and sweaty palms! You might want to try them. They're supposed to calm you down. Good luck! I know what you're going through.

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · Sep 13, 2004

Hmm has anybody ever tried the "imagine your audience in their skivvies" thing? I wonder if that works? Would definitely make you smile!
Good luck; you'll get through it! :)

LOL! Yes! And it WORKS!

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · Sep 13, 2004

you poor thing. i feel for you. someone else said "fake it". also, pretend the audience is in their underwear. i agree! the concept is that most people hate getting up in front of others to speek. it's the #1 fear. it really is. when someone else is giving a speech, how do you feel? do you feel sorry for them? are you thinking badly about them? i doubt it. why would you think others are doing that to you? this is the only reason i could think of that people don't like giving speeches - because they are afraid of being criticized. i never really had a problem giving speeches because i try to think of everyone as my equal. i wish i could say this better because it really helps me, i just can't put it into words. just know that most people are afraid of public speaking and maybe that will help. i wish i could help more...

mariedoreen · Sep 13, 2004

I flunked out of English in High school because I refused to give oral book reports. Dee

LOL, I almost quit high school because I didn't want to go through the required senior year speech class. I'm not kidding! I'm with you, I hate doing any kind of presentation, but one thing I know is that I refuse to let something like this stop me from meeting an important goal now. So, remember that you are not the only one who feels this way and that there will be several others in your class who hate to do things like this as well. Other posters said to fake it and act as though you're incredibly confident... well I did the exact opposite in my Chem class and CNA class when I had to speak in front of the class. I was up front and honest with my classmates that speaking in public was really hard for me and I laughed about the fact that I would probably not make eye contact the entire time and wanted to know if everyone was up on their CPR skills. I actually turned it into a joke against myself. When I got up in front of the class I was nervous, my voice shook, my eye contact was not good... but I got through it and they were all totally supportive and forgiving of my awful speech skills. These classes graded my speech based on content only so I got As, but when I have one that grades me on presentation I'll work harder on the eye contact, but just because of my anxiety I'll probably never make an A+, but I will get through it! Agree wholeheartedly with previous suggestions to go first. I always do that now. If they open it up for volunteers my hand is the first one up, get it over with, definitely.

Here's an additional suggestions that will scare you to death (I know because it's been suggested to me and I've been too much of a coward to give it a try!): Take a speech class where you are required to give A LOT of speeches throughout the term.. the theory is that if you do it over and over and over you'll become more comfortable with it. Let me know if that works for you :)

loriangel14, RN · Oct 3, 2004

Practice, practice, and practice! Don't forget to breathe!Remember that probably you are not the only one who is nervous. It will get easier. I am in my second year of a registered practical nursing program ( in Canada) and I have been in front of the class about 30 times now. I still don't like it but I don't get nearly as nervous. Good luck:rolleyes:

skislalom · Oct 3, 2004

OMG-I hate it almost as much as my paralysing fear of flying...hello xanax (well for flying anyway).

I type out my speech exactly like I'd like to present it...bold the real important parts, many spaces for a pause. I type it in a large font because for some reason I get total tunnel vision and a hard time concentrating on the words on the paper...can't hear over the blood rushing in my ears and my heart pounding. I always seem to rush through it and I certainly can hear my voice shaking-it's very obvious I'd rather not be up there.

I agree with volunteer to go first or be one of the first...when I have to wait, by the time my turn comes...I am ready to run as fast as I can from the room and never look back. Being among the first certainly shortens the adrenaline rush and anxiety. Just get it overwith!

I must be getting a little better...the last presentation I did..had the whole class in tears-guess I got my point across eh? (btw..not from laughing at me it was...tears of love, loss, and sadness)

Good luck-you'll do just fine!

~T