According to the Harvard Division of Continuing Education, speaking in front of people, whether presenting a slideshow or reciting a poem, is one of people’s greatest and most common fears. Giving an excellent presentation is difficult for many in the classroom and out. 

This high level of fear that comes with public speaking and presenting can be traced back to our early school life (Education Week). Education on how to speak comfortably and confidently in front of crowds is not heavily focused upon. If schools put as much time into teaching good communication skills as they do with, for example, how to write an essay, the fear of public speaking will be lowered.  

Nevertheless, there are still ways to improve your presentation abilities. 

First off, having a good idea of what you want to say can help improve your confidence when presentation day comes along. One method of memorizing the script is breaking it down into small chunks and memorizing it one part at a time, but with more experience in public speaking, you might come across other techniques. 

Familiarizing yourself with what you will say helps prepare you for the real thing. Recording yourself practicing out loud or presenting in front of a group of friends is a great way to do this. When playing back the recording, you are able to catch mistakes and use of filler words, as well as areas that might need improvement. You will be able to check the pace of your speaking, whether it is too fast or too slow, and adjust. Reciting your script in front of people you know can also help naturalize presenting in front of an audience. 

Next, being nervous before the presentation is normal. If negative thoughts come through your mind before a presentation, take a deep breath and perhaps even prepare for the worst. A study reported by Psychology Today said that doing this can be an effective way to deal with the fear of public speaking. For example, if the worst that can happen is a meteor coming down on the school or a zombie apocalypse breaking out, saying words for a grade isn’t as bad. 

Developing good presentation habits can also help. Standing with good posture can make it appear to others that you are more confident. You have been preparing for this presentation and will do well.

Having solid public speaking abilities will help in the future as well. Most jobs you find will require at least one element of speaking in front of others. It is an essential skill for a successful career. The Association of American Colleges and Universities even states that “the majority of executives and hiring managers prioritize strong oral communication skills” (BetterUp).

Cynthia Lan (9) of the Mustang Business Academy, a student going in the business route suggests, “A good piece of advice I would give would be to be organized before the presentation and be confident when you present. Don’t think too much, then you will do good.” Whether your next presentation is tomorrow or in a couple of months, using the tips of breaking down the script, practicing with a friend or on video, taking a deep breath on presentation day, and developing good presentation habits will help when the not-so-dreadful day of presenting comes along. Remember to keep your head high and know that a zombie apocalypse might happen the next time you stand before the class to give a presentation.