<p>So this is my 3rd semester in architecture school but I still haven’t made peace with having to do presentations in front of strangers. I still get nightmares the night before (even though I am swamped with finishing up last minute work). I have one next week and I tense up every time I think about what’s coming. It disturbs me to the point where I feel like running away (I did once when I first started) and wishing so bad I could change majors (I chose this major “With the help of my parents” so I can’t really do anything about that). </p>
<p>Anybody got anything that would help me calm my nerves or accept the fact that this is what this profession consists of and that I can never run away from it?</p>
<p>Thanks
:S</p>
<p>First let me tell you that I sympathize, getting in front of people and talking is very stressful until you get used to it. Second you need to realize that developing the skill to be able to stand in front of a group of people and present your ideas is one of the most valuable skills you will learn in architecture school. Don’t look at it as a chore or a pain, look at it as a valuable skill you are learning.</p>
<p>The only way I know to get over the anxiety is to prepare. That means write down the major points you want to make, and then stand up and rehearse them out loud in your room. You need to do this enough times that you are confident that when you stand up in front of the audience you know exactly what you are going to say. You will probably still be anxious, but over time as you do more of these presentations your confidence level should go up. Also dress in a way that makes you feel good about yourself, and if possible do not pull an all-nighter on the night before the presentation.</p>
<p>Good luck,
rick</p>
<p>Practice, practice, practice out loud in front of a mirror. Learn some good breathing techniques to calm the nerves. Turn on a tape recorder and then listen to yourself. Do it again. Part of the nervousness is a lack of confidence in how you sound to others. So listen to yourself!
Practice speaking to strangers at a party. Introduce yourself and go for it. No, it’s not presentations but it is waiting for reactions from strangers–and that’s a huge part of the fear involved in public speaking.
There are also some very quick meditations that can calm nerves. One is imagining taking your nervousness, put it in a balloon and let it float above you. Hold the string, don’t let it get away from you (it’s your energy). But don’t lose control of your balloon. (Don’t laugh–it worked great for me!)
Pick someone receptive in your audience and present to them. Pick them from the center of your audience about 1/3 way back (depending on group size).
You HAVE to realize that public speaking is one of the biggest fears. Most of your audience is just happy to be listening to you and not up there at a podium!! Someone in your audience is admiring you just for standing up in front of a group!
Believe me, it gets easier with experience.</p>
<p>After years in the profession, presentation is still a major issue for me and my colleagues, and practice is certainly the key. I agree with the advice above that you should write out a brief outline of points you want to cover…index cards work well for this. And after practicing by yourself with mirror and recorder, it will also help to practice in front of an audience of “friendly faces” of friends, roommates and classmates. Have them listen and then give you feedback about how to improve your delivery. All of this will give you confidence and help develop your presentation technique and style.</p>
<p>And a few acting lessons can help, too. Some people present much better if they “play a role”.</p>
<p>Presentation skills are necessary in any profession. I have an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering. I thought I would never have to give a presentation. I was wrong. I also have an MBA in Marketing. In marketing I had to give a lot of presentations–in large groups, small groups, leading meetings, etc. It was nerve wracking but I finally got the hang of it and actually looked forward to giving presentations–they turned out to be the fun part of my job.</p>
<p>Well, if knowing that there are other arch students out there that feel much like you helps at all, I have one that is due home this weekend! From his experience, it seems to get a bit easier as you mature, get further into the program and begin to get to know your profs and fellow classmates better. He, too, feels that this part of what he has to do is his weakest area. I think there are people who are naturally unaffected by speaking in front of others and then there are those who really have to work at it. </p>
<p>The advice you have been given is great (I have printed it off for my s to look at, too 
He is actually going to try to fit a public speaking or communication class in before he graduates. I know there are some schools that require their arch students to take a public speaking class as part of their curriculum. I think that is a great addition personally. Maybe you could look into something like that as well at your school or at a community college nearby? </p>
<p>Hang in there! If you know this isn’t your thing, but are on here asking for ways to get better at presenting, you’re already ahead of the game and are taking on the challenge. I think it will get better Best wishes to you!</p>
<p>Thank you for your kind words of support everyone. Realising that I’m not being silly for feeling this way makes me feel loads better. I definitely feel encouraged. I’ll definitely try out your suggestions and tips. Anything is bound to be better than what I’ve been trying till now. Thanks again! :)</p>
<p>Once you’ve prepared and know what you are going to say, put the focus on yourself aside. During the group crit, listen to what the other students are saying and to the remarks of the professors. Think about their presentations and form an opinion of their work. Be an active participant. This will take your mind off your presentation to come and you will learn something.</p>