How can I avoid doing presentations in class?

@IDunnoRick

Class presentations are super scary! O.o
Anyway; if they're an important part of your grade, it's innavoidable; so the best you can do is explaining to your situation to the teacher, and asking if you can do it with just them present (rather than the entire class.)
Otherwise; you could always skip class on the presentation day (if it isn't necessarry.)

Good luck with it! xxx

@IDunnoRick

Avoidance won't help you get over the panic or fear. If you want to fear them less what can help is breathing exercises, mindfulness practice (found in 7cups path menu) and techniques like imagining all the audience is naked so you take their looks less seriously. Also taking self less seriously can help. Like if you make a mistake or trip on the stage being able to laugh with audience at what happen will make it feel a lot less embarassing. Plus I don't think many people in the audience like doing presentations either so you aren't alone in hating to do it. Spending enough time on preparation also will help limit the nervousness if you feel like you really know the material off by heart. Usually if I have a long speech or something for a test to remember in a hurry I'll try to remember it in a funny way by association (crazier the better) helps retain even boring material for when you need to remember it. Another way I've done it is drawing silly looking pictures instead of thinking with words only. Little drawings can be quick reference reminders on queue cards too; easier than trying to find what word you left off with maybe.

Hello there @IDunnoRick,

I know presentations must be scaring the hell out of you, but if they are part of your life situation I advice you to deal with them rather than trying to avoid them. I know its not easy, I've been there too. I always dreaded representations like its a death sentence. I even had time when I froze on the stage and could not even read a text which I wrote, and which was however very complemented by the teacher. But what I can tell you is that dealing with fear is much much more helpful than avoiding situations that you fear. If representations are part of your life that you cannot avoid, take it as an opportunity to improve yourself. How do you do that? Prepare yourself well before doing representation. Practice at home with invisible audience, a friend or your pet. Go trough your representation multiple times, so you can correct it and improve it untill you are satisfied and representation feels smooth. Apart from that, do meditation, do breathing exercises, do your best to calm you anxiety. Dont use your imagination to think how bad you will do. Do your best to cut of negative thoughts. Instead, use your imagination and think how well you will do. Imagine yourself how you smoothly perform. These things helped me at least. I am still somewhat nervous ahead of representation, but now I am able to perform at my best and with confidence. Hope these tips can be helpful to you too. Also, do check 7cups guides on anxiety etc. they are a great and very helpful source. Besides this you can try to google for more tips on how to perform and find something that will be exactly suited for you.

It is no big deal, it is just representation. Dont overthink it. Everyone is nervous ahead of doing one. Some of the best speakers/performers have been trough same things as you are. But they faced their fear and improved themselves over time and hard work. You can do it too!! Its a journey, take little steps and be proud for each improvement that you achieve.

Wish you all the best of luck!

@IDunnoRick, Escape the rump pressed is not the solution of your fear. A brave is one who can face his or her fear by having eye to eye contact with his panic. Dont think too much about it that whole class is watching you. Just think of a person you love the most or very closed to, then start your presentation, I bet you will become enjoying your presentation. Dont take it too much serious, its just a presentation, what you will do is just come at deck, clear up your points and then goes. Try to add some funny stuff at the end of your presentation by asking some questions with your class mates, or share with them your experience of anything like you can say I am planning something amazing for Halloween or offer them to buy Halloween coupons from somewhere etc. I hope this will be very helpful for you. Thanks.

[MonBon removed link]

I remember when I was at school I would stress so much about presentations that I would end up wagging school (don't do that lol). I actually was about to fail one of my subjects and that would have resulted in me repeating the grade but one day, I finally built up enough courage to actually talk to my teacher about why I wasn't coming to their classes and they were actually really understanding. They suggested filming myself doing the presentation at home and then handing it in on a USB or over email. If you're teachers not understanding like mine was or you don't feel comfortable filming yourself, you might be able to talk to the counsellor or nurse on your campus or go to a doctor, explain what's wrong and get some documents that will either postpone the presentation or you might not have to do it depending on what your doctor says. Hopefully, I helped a little and I know how scary presentations can be. Good luck :)

@IDunnoRick Don't run away from it. Accept it and fight for it.

@IDunnoRick

My friend had some sort of anxiety and he had spoken to the teacher wondering if he could just hand it in and the teacher can do a 1 on 1 presentation so that you're a lot more comfortable. And hey, it worked. During his lunch period he came to the teacher and asked if he could do the presentation just in front of him, he did it and got an A.

@IDunnoRick

I completely understand how you feel, as I go through social anxiety as well and I know how difficult it can be to engage in a social situation especially when the spotlight's on you!

But as PatientBreeze21 said, avoiding it WILL make it worse, trust us. The best solution to fight any anxiety is FLOODING, keep introducing yourself to the solution. Baby steps, though!

- Try to do preparations(I used to do my presentation in front of a mirror and I wouldn't actually do a presentation in class until I found it just 100% amazing.

- Try to do it in front of one or two friends(even someone who does a class presentation flawlessly will be anxious when they do a presentation in front of a thousand people, but if he has to, will he stop presenting? Picture yourself in those shoes, you are the classroom and the classroom is a 1000 people! Keep practising and keep flooding.

Those are my two biggest tips.

Hope this helps,

Best wishes,

Prio.

I completely sympathise with this, as I have social anxiety.

I know it's terrifying, but it is doable, I promise. First of all, I would recommend trying to explain your situation with anxiety to your teacher. It's very likely that they will be understanding and able to accomodate you. However, if they cannot or do not understand, there are still techniques that can make it a little bit easier.

~ The first bit is practice. I know this seems obvious, but practicing in front of a mirror, or in front of a pet, or in front of your parents or friends really does help. The more you do it, the more well rehearsed you'll be. That way, on presentation day, you will know that you've done it enough to know the material really well!

~ The second bit is breathing. I actually like to use a specific breathing exercise that is supposed to turn off the fight or flight reaction that so often comes with anxiety. It is: breathe in for four counts, hold for seven counts, and breathe out for eight counts. Try and keep it steady, and repeat a few more times.

You can do it - I believe in you. :) Best of luck in the future with presentations and teachers!!

Sometimes if I tell the professors I have social anxiety, they give me an alternative assignment or let me present to just them and not the whole class. Idk, it depends on your school. Try not to avoid it though. Avoiding really does make it worse. Since I've been speaking up more in college, I find it a little easier at times. Idk. Everyone's different and every school or teacher is different too