Student Life October 2019

familiar with your subject allows you to
present with confidence and to focus
on engaging your audience rather than
focusing solely on your cue cards and
mumbling at the floor. Eventually you
will get to the point that you no longer
even need the cue cards, then you are in
the enviable position of being able to
stand tall, converse with your audience
and respond flexibly to questions along
the way.
At the psychological level your mindset is
key. The Greek Stoic Philosopher Epictetus
(55-135 AD) said “what the thinker thinks,
the prover proves” meaning that if you
think you can do a great presentation,
you will and if you think you can’t well….
Getting in this mindset can be easier said
than done however, so here are a few tips
to help with focusing your mind:
assume that we would not have been
asked to speak to the audience if the
information we have to share is not going
to serve some purpose for them, so
getting the style, tone and content right is
essential in passing on the knowledge we
have. Ideally we also want the audience to
feel engaged with what we have to say so
that the key messages / information stick
when they leave the room.
The good news for the nervous speakers
out there is that there are ways to
overcome presentation anxiety – both
practically and psychologically. Practical
skills training in how to structure your
presentation and any accompanying
slides can help you to feel more confident
in what you have to say and practice is
undoubtedly key – whether this is with
friends, or in front of the mirror. Being
When facing your audience look for
people who are encouraging in their
expression and take heart from this.
Visualise yourself holding your head
high, projecting your voice and speaking
passionately about your subject.
Remember that the people in the
audience are there to hear what you
have to say, they have something to
learn from you.
You also have things to learn from your
audience – what they respond well to,
suggestions, questions and ideas they
voice.
If presenting is creating anxiety for you, it
is worth seeking some coaching or therapy
as it may well link to other areas where you
lack self-confidence and overcoming this
can open doors for you in all areas of your
life. So, if you think you can – you can.
IF THIS ARTICLE HAS BROUGHT UP ANY EMOTIONS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE
TO DISCUSS, PLEASE REFER TO OUR CONTACT LIST AT THE END OF THIS SECTION