Public speaking can be intimidating, especially if you are being graded on it. Unfortunately, for a lot of us, presentations are a major part of college and that means we will do a lot of them. But don’t worry! Try some of these tips for your next big presentation and you’ll be as cool as a cucumber up there!

Tip 1: Understand What You’re Talking About

Obviously, in order to give a great presentation, you have to know your facts! It is next to impossible to give an awesome presentation when you have no idea what you are talking about. Do your research and ask questions until you are clear about what you are presenting on.

Another thing to remember is to speak in your own voice. I know it can be tempting to put long, intelligent sounding sentences in to your presentation slides, but don’t! Keep the information on your slides brief and easy to understand and present it in your own words, not ones you think will make you sound like the next Einstein.

Tip 2: Practice in Front of an Audience

One of the most nerve-wracking things about presenting isn’t so much talking about what you’ve learned but rather talking about what you’ve learned in front of an audience. It can be enough to give you nightmares…but it doesn’t have to!

Ask your roommates, family or other people who you are comfortable with to be your audience and practice your presentation in front of them. The more people the better! After running through it a few times, you’ll feel a lot better and be way more prepared to take center stage when it matters.

Tip 3: Set a Timer

Usually presentations have a time limit that professors want you to stick to and this can cause some serious stress. The easiest way to make sure you stay within your time allowance is to set a timer on your phone while you are practicing so you have a better understanding of whether you need to be more brief or more detailed in your presentation.

That being said, do not set a timer on your actual slides. It’s better that you have control over when the next slide will come up, rather than it changing automatically and losing your spot during your presentation.

Tip 4: Get Comfortable and Relax

Make sure you are wearing something comfortable for your presentation. Often, professors want you to dress professionally when giving a presentation, but that doesn’t mean you have to wear a skirt and heels if you are not comfortable in them! A nice blouse, slacks and flats can be just as professional and will help you feel less self-conscious during your presentation.

Additionally, remember to relax. These are your peers and they are probably just as nervous as you are!

Tip 5: Prepare Your Answers

Usually at the end of presentations, the floor is opened for questioning. Think critically when you are putting together your presentation so you can foresee some of the questions and have answers ready. This will not only help you better understand your material, but it will also help you feel confident knowing that there is less of a chance of being stumped.

Now get out there Divas, and rock those presentations!