BIG presentation and super scared!

[brit 14]

I'm a senior in high school, and my school requires everyone to do a senior project. In junior year we start the project by writing an eight page paper on a topic. Then in senior year we have to make a product that goes with our topic and then make a powerpoint. The final thing we have to do is present it in front of three judges. The presentation has to be between 10-20 minutes long and they judge you on how fluently you speak and how professional you are. Also someone is filming the whole thing. I did my project on anxiety disorders because obviously I know a lot about it and it's a familiar topic. I made a model of the brain outlining the different parts of the brain activated while having a panic attack and I also put together a sensory basket with adult coloring books, stress balls, relaxation music, and lotions inside of it. On Wednesday I am presenting in the morning and I'm so scared. I can't even stand to think about it for more than 5 minutes without throwing myself into a panic attack. If we fail this we do not get to graduate and we have to stay back. I am so scared that the other day I was realizing how close it was to the presentation and I had a full on mental breakdown. I was crying and I couldn't breathe, it went on for a good 20 minutes. I've been trying to practice presenting infront of my friends but I keep saying "um" and stuttering a lot. I also forget what I'm saying and can't collect my thoughts either, plus when I'm actually presenting I'll be in front of three judges and someone will be filming me so it will be a hundred times worse than just doing it with my friend. They take point off if you stutter and say "um" and if I forget what I'm saying they"ll take even more points off. I stutter even when I'm just talking normally with people. I am going to freak out, I can't do this at all. I've already been accepted to a college and am going to be going there and I can't afford to not graduate. I am feeling so sick about this. I'm probably going to get up in front of everyone and just start crying or throw up. I feel myself getting nasous just thinking about it now. I can't even do regular presentations infront of my class, so how do they expect me to be able to do this? I have no idea what to do and I have never been more anxious about something. I've been anxiously waiting for this day for almost 2 years and now it's finally here. I've tried to tell myself that they're just people and that a lot more scarier thing could be happening to me instead of just talking in front of people, but it's not working. I have no idea what to do and how to handle this situation.

[jonathan123 2368]

Hi. brit. Good to see you again..

First of all let me say you have made great preparations for what you have to do. Now listen! You are a very intelligent girl. OK? No, I am not flannelling you because we have spoken many times and I know. THAT is a big plus because you can negotiate your way through any situation by using your excellent mind and being able to reason.

Having said all that can you think of any possible reason you can't do it?  'It's me nerves'!!!!! Oh yes, I know exactly what you mean.

I am going to freak out, I can't do this at all. I've already been accepted to a college and am going to be going there and I can't afford to not graduate. I am feeling so sick about this. I'm probably going to get up in front of everyone and just start crying or throw up.

NO YOU WON'T!!!! I have never heard of it happening in anxiety and so many people have this problem. It's a big thing with actors, politicians etc. who seem so confident but inside are shivering wrecks, BUT THEY DO IT JUST THE SAME! And so will you. You take deep breaths and DO IT. No avoiding; running away in fear. We ALL have courage and it's using it that matters. I have often talked to big groups on psychology and have often, in fact always, begun feeling fearful. 'Will I won't I', but once I got going I was fine.

I KNOW YOU CAN DO THIS so don't let me down. Right? I have not been wrong about anyone so far, and I have no intention of starting with you!!!. I am a lot, lot older than you and have the experience to know how you feel, but feelings are feelings and not reality. You MUST trust your own intelligence and built in awareness and you will succeed. Right!? That's your lecture over for the day. I will be thinking about you as will many, so take heart. With us lot behind you how can you not succeed?

 

[Ihadcancer 321]

Oh wow!  You should post that on the forum and share it with all of us!  I have no idea about any of that but it sounds very interesting. 

Brit,  could you start your presentation with 'Hi, my name is Brit and I suffer from Social Anxiety'.  Big smile... and then do your presentation. That would let the 3 judges know that what you're doing is harder for you than Suzie cheerleader who did a presentation on how to land without smearing her mascara.  

Really, consider sharing that with us and I color EVERY NIGHT before bed!!!  

[brit 14]

Thank you both so much for the advice! I presented this morning and it went way better than I expected! I got a 96 out of 100 on my presentation, which is definitely not what I expected in the least. I was so nervous and I could feel myself shaking and stuttering when presenting, but after when the judges were telling me my grades, one of the judges said "where you anxious when you were presenting?" And I say "Oh yeah" but then she was like "Well I just wanted to let you know it wasn't noticeable at all! You looked confident and knew what you were talking about!" So, I'm really happy with what I got. I tried to remember what you both had said and it helped me a lot, so thank you. I'm just glad it's over with and that I passed. Now all I have to worry about is graduation! 

[jonathan123 2368]

 Well done!!! Told you so. YOU can do anything you have the will to do. You can be shaking inside but still make a good job of a presentation. WORRY about graduation.??? Why? Hurdles are to be jumped and that's just another of those hurdles that you will find as you go through life. But brit, no hurdle is so high it can't be jumped given the will and determination. Well done!!!!!!!

[anxietymb4 3]

It makes me happy that you broke through anxiety holding you back by not giving in to the feelings. Perhaps, you were too busy talking about the information you diligently gathered and prepared to give in your presentation. Negative feelings can usually be overcome if we redirect our focus from those feelings.  All the best to you and to your successful graduation!

[Ihadcancer 321]

16 hours ago, brit said:

Thank you both so much for the advice! I presented this morning and it went way better than I expected! I got a 96 out of 100 on my presentation, which is definitely not what I expected in the least. I was so nervous and I could feel myself shaking and stuttering when presenting, but after when the judges were telling me my grades, one of the judges said "where you anxious when you were presenting?" And I say "Oh yeah" but then she was like "Well I just wanted to let you know it wasn't noticeable at all! You looked confident and knew what you were talking about!" So, I'm really happy with what I got. I tried to remember what you both had said and it helped me a lot, so thank you. I'm just glad it's over with and that I passed. Now all I have to worry about is graduation! 

That's AWESOME!!!   I love that she didn't notice you were nervous!  I'm so happy for you and what an awesome grade!  Hey, graduation is nothing to worry about!  I realized my senior year that by this time of the year, you'd either made it or not.  I noticed the classes got easier, less testing, loads of fun things for seniors to do and the teachers were more relaxed, too.  It's FUN time, now! Already accepted at college!  You go girl!  Congrats! 

[Ihadcancer 321]

On 2/26/2017 at 11:18 PM, brit said:

I'm a senior in high school, and my school requires everyone to do a senior project. In junior year we start the project by writing an eight page paper on a topic. Then in senior year we have to make a product that goes with our topic and then make a powerpoint. The final thing we have to do is present it in front of three judges. The presentation has to be between 10-20 minutes long and they judge you on how fluently you speak and how professional you are. Also someone is filming the whole thing. I did my project on anxiety disorders because obviously I know a lot about it and it's a familiar topic. I made a model of the brain outlining the different parts of the brain activated while having a panic attack and I also put together a sensory basket with adult coloring books, stress balls, relaxation music, and lotions inside of it. On Wednesday I am presenting in the morning and I'm so scared. I can't even stand to think about it for more than 5 minutes without throwing myself into a panic attack. If we fail this we do not get to graduate and we have to stay back. I am so scared that the other day I was realizing how close it was to the presentation and I had a full on mental breakdown. I was crying and I couldn't breathe, it went on for a good 20 minutes. I've been trying to practice presenting infront of my friends but I keep saying "um" and stuttering a lot. I also forget what I'm saying and can't collect my thoughts either, plus when I'm actually presenting I'll be in front of three judges and someone will be filming me so it will be a hundred times worse than just doing it with my friend. They take point off if you stutter and say "um" and if I forget what I'm saying they"ll take even more points off. I stutter even when I'm just talking normally with people. I am going to freak out, I can't do this at all. I've already been accepted to a college and am going to be going there and I can't afford to not graduate. I am feeling so sick about this. I'm probably going to get up in front of everyone and just start crying or throw up. I feel myself getting nasous just thinking about it now. I can't even do regular presentations infront of my class, so how do they expect me to be able to do this? I have no idea what to do and I have never been more anxious about something. I've been anxiously waiting for this day for almost 2 years and now it's finally here. I've tried to tell myself that they're just people and that a lot more scarier thing could be happening to me instead of just talking in front of people, but it's not working. I have no idea what to do and how to handle this situation.

Brit,  we have a new member who needs your help!  Her post is toward the top and her name is MrsKnoitall.  

[Yogesh kumar 0]

On 27/02/2017 at 9:48 AM, brit said:

I'm a senior in high school, and my school requires everyone to do a senior project. In junior year we start the project by writing an eight page paper on a topic. Then in senior year we have to make a product that goes with our topic and then make a powerpoint. The final thing we have to do is present it in front of three judges. The presentation has to be between 10-20 minutes long and they judge you on how fluently you speak and how professional you are. Also someone is filming the whole thing. I did my project on anxiety disorders because obviously I know a lot about it and it's a familiar topic. I made a model of the brain outlining the different parts of the brain activated while having a panic attack and I also put together a sensory basket with adult coloring books, stress balls, relaxation music, and lotions inside of it. On Wednesday I am presenting in the morning and I'm so scared. I can't even stand to think about it for more than 5 minutes without throwing myself into a panic attack. If we fail this we do not get to graduate and we have to stay back. I am so scared that the other day I was realizing how close it was to the presentation and I had a full on mental breakdown. I was crying and I couldn't breathe, it went on for a good 20 minutes. I've been trying to practice presenting infront of my friends but I keep saying "um" and stuttering a lot. I also forget what I'm saying and can't collect my thoughts either, plus when I'm actually presenting I'll be in front of three judges and someone will be filming me so it will be a hundred times worse than just doing it with my friend. They take point off if you stutter and say "um" and if I forget what I'm saying they"ll take even more points off. I stutter even when I'm just talking normally with people. I am going to freak out, I can't do this at all. I've already been accepted to a college and am going to be going there and I can't afford to not graduate. I am feeling so sick about this. I'm probably going to get up in front of everyone and just start crying or throw up. I feel myself getting nasous just thinking about it now. I can't even do regular presentations infront of my class, so how do they expect me to be able to do this? I have no idea what to do and I have never been more anxious about something. I've been anxiously waiting for this day for almost 2 years and now it's finally here. I've tried to tell myself that they're just people and that a lot more scarier thing could be happening to me instead of just talking in front of people, but it's not working. I have no idea what to do and how to handle this situation.

Till 7 to 8 months back,i had the exactly same problem for at least 6 years but now im perfect.When u see people u get scared because ur mind starts thinking what the people r thinking about u,are u doing smthing wrong or akward etc.What u have to do is nothing but ONLY ONE THING THAT IS CONCENTRATE and when u concentrate on what im going to tell u,ur mind will get bound not to think what others think about u nd u will get a new perception.S ee pepole think and DO,man1 thinkingbad things about somone sitting on a chair and another man2 starts abusing the same person,that someone knows what man1 is thinking somthng bad about him,now to whome he will react?of course man2 cause he abused  that means hates more or is more angry on that someone see both men hates but absuing means more hate,now more feelings r important than less feelings ,u should focus on more feelings and more feelings will ALWAYS bring some DOING,now absuing is a kind of doimg,im saying that u should not focus on what others r thinking,the ONLY THING U SHOULD SEE IS WHAT THEY DO PHISICALY.If it helps you then PLEASE help others.