Beating the Nerves- Presentations
With university I knew that it was heavily based on upon independent study which is something I’m okay with. The thing I’m not very good at is speaking up in my classes and in last few weeks I have been given a task that I am certainly not comfortable with.
For part of my English class, I am required to give a 10-minute presentation to the class. Admittedly this idea completely daunts me as I am not confident about speaking in front of people. Part of it stems from nerves at talking directly to a larger group of people, and another from worry that my ideas are insufficient and the worry that the class won’t engage with anything I say.
My presentation is this week and its hard to put into the words the fret I’m feeling about it even though I know this sort of work is popular within university. In terms of exams and that kind of thing, I have always handled nerves well, but this is defiantly further out my comfort zone than usual.
I can’t wait to feel that relief when I finish discussing my final point!
However, part of the reasons people come to university is to be pushed and challenged as a person; to improve in skills exactly like standing up and presenting to people. Therefore, part of me is determined to get through it and hopefully, I will feel much better after completing this first one, as I know there will be more work like this in the future.
I just have to prepare as much as I can for it and try to keep decent eye contact with the group- one of the things I’m most nervous about. I’ve always been a sociable person but when it comes to academic presentations, I am a lot different and shy. I am hoping to develop a new sense of confidence from it, and knowledge of what to expect in the future.
Fingers crossed it goes okay and I can beat these nerves!
Lauren Davison
