If you are one of those who tremble at the thought of presenting a work to the class, these tips are for you. We have already talked on other occasions about the high stress involved in presenting an academic work to the whole class, but let's focus on those techniques that can help us relax and give a good presentation. Although we don't like presenting a work to the whole class, it's better if we get used to it, because if we want to get our university
eTítulo, we will have to do it dozens of times. Also, if we study a postgraduate degree, it will happen again, and in most jobs we will also find ourselves in the same situation, so it's better if we enjoy it.
1. Good preparation
The most effective technique against stress is simple: be well prepared. If we have mastered the subject and have practiced several times out loud in front of our family or friends and polished the mistakes, we will already have an idea of how we are going to do it, so it will be much easier for us to relax. We have to theatricalize it, record ourselves on video, and do it so many times that it becomes automatic. That's the way to make an outstanding presentation.
2. Cards are essential
During the presentation, it is good to have some
cards or a tablet at hand to follow the thread of what we are saying in case something distracts us (nerves, for example). That will give us extra confidence, and we will be calmer knowing that we have that lifeline and that we don't have to rely solely on our memory. But beware, it is only support. As we have prepared it sufficiently, we shouldn't need it. It is simply a reinforcement to feel more secure and not a group of papers to hide behind.
3. Don't review right before starting to present a work
We have researched, documented ourselves, written the work, and mastered the subject. We have already practiced the presentation at home, and we have the cards and an audiovisual support, so let's not make the mistake of reviewing everything just before starting to present. That will only create insecurity and confusion. Walking, breathing deeply, drinking water, or exercising to relax is much better than reviewing right before presenting a work.
4. Project your voice
It is important that everyone present can hear us clearly, so we must speak loudly and articulate well. We must
project our voice and keep our head up, looking straight ahead. If we speak to the collar of our shirt, no one will understand us. We have to pronounce the words slowly and clearly. To make sure we are doing it right, it is good to record ourselves and listen until everything sounds perfect. Even if at first we are nervous and our voice sounds strange or shaky due to nerves, only we will notice that, and after the first few minutes, that strange feeling will pass, and we will speak more confidently.
5. Better in a relaxed environment
Without neglecting the seriousness and professionalism required in oral presentations of works, especially in final degree or master's degree works, we can make the environment as relaxed as possible by joking about some parts (without going too far) or trying to involve the audience by asking them questions. In a more relaxed atmosphere, the audience will be more attentive, appreciate us more, and we will also feel much more comfortable.
6. Appropriate language
We must use correct language at all times, which does not mean that we have to use every word with more than 10 syllables or technical terms that we have heard during our studies. It is not about boring people with unbearable technicalities to show how much vocabulary we know; it is about communicating: language is used to make ourselves understood. Let's speak properly, but in a simple and direct way, without using swear words or slang expressions.
7. Take care of body language
We must avoid making too many gestures with our arms or moving around incessantly in a nervous dance. Staying still like a statue is not good either; our gestures should be normal, relaxed, and support our words by emphasizing what is important, but without distracting attention from what we are saying. It is important not to overact and behave as naturally as possible, as if we were in a relaxed conversation. Even if we feel like jelly inside, if we move with ease, others won't notice, and little by little, we will relax.
8. Eye contact is important
We must not stare at the cards or the PowerPoint; we can do that occasionally to take notes or to isolate ourselves a bit from the audience if the feeling of being observed bothers us too much, but we must not forget that we need to connect with the people listening to us. We have to look at the audience, and their expressions should serve as a guide to know if they are attentive, interested in what we are saying, if it is time to make a joke so they don't fall asleep, or if, on the contrary, we should be more serious so they don't take our work lightly. It is very useful to scan the room from left to right and from right to left and occasionally fix our gaze on someone randomly who looks back at us, but not always on the same person. This way, each viewer will feel that we are talking to them, and everyone will be more involved in the presentation. If this is too much for our shyness, then we should seat our friends in a way that they are spread throughout the class. When scanning, we will only stop at them, so we won't feel embarrassed to look at the audience.
9. Breathe and drink
Being aware of our breathing helps because nerves can make us take short breaths and not fully exhale, which will make us feel suffocated. If we feel short of breath, we can take pauses to take a deep breath, exhale completely, and continue. Unless we do it like a yoga instructor, nobody will notice. Taking slow, deep breaths helps us relax, but it also helps us have good diction and control the speed of our speech. When one is nervous and also has to speak loudly, their mouth gets dry. It never fails. And presenting a work while speaking through a dry mouth is not pleasant. The solution is simple: we have to bring a water bottle and use it when we need it. We shouldn't hesitate to drink, because it is not something that looks bad, and it will also give us a few seconds to relax and think, so we can also use it as a strategy if we lose track or get flustered.
10. Overcoming depersonalization
Whenever we start speaking in front of an audience, whether it's the first time or we have done it hundreds of times before, we feel an anguishing sensation of depersonalization. It's as if, at first, our body, our actions, were separate from our mind, as if our voice didn't belong to us. It's very normal. There are actors who, after years and years of profession, still feel that unpleasant impression when they go on stage. The key is to know that we just have to go through it, that it only lasts a few minutes, and that we will feel like ourselves again. The best thing we can do when we start experiencing depersonalization is to recognize it, accept it as something normal, and ignore it, because sooner or later it will go away. When the feeling passes and we see that it wasn't that bad and that we are doing well, everything will flow much more smoothly and naturally, and we will feel better about ourselves.
