Getting Ready for a Successful Presentation: Personal Blog by Gabriela Valdez

Getting Ready for a Successful Presentation: Personal Blog by Gabriela Valdez

If you’d asked me a couple of weeks ago how I felt about giving presentations, I probably would’ve been shaking and sweating with uneasiness. Public speaking and I have never exactly been the best of friends. Presentations have always felt like a hurdle I had to clear rather than an opportunity I could enjoy. Even over Zoom, where you’d think the screen would make it less scary, my palms still get sweaty, and I spend half the time worrying I’ll forget my lines or sound awkward. So when I saw the syllabus and read that our first big assignment was going to be a group presentation, I was already shaking in my boots.

But in the process of making said presentation, not only was the experience far less stressful than I imagined, but I walked away a little surprised at how easy it all felt. Typically, I dread the moment my name is called. My mind fills with worries and obsessive thoughts. Will I stumble over my words? Will I bore people? Will someone notice if my voice or hands are shaking? Even on Zoom, where there’s a screen between me and the audience, I still feel exposed. I’ve always associated presentations with pressure and perfectionism rather than curiosity or excitement.

The game-changer this time was the content itself. Our group was assigned a topic related to getting ready for a presentation. The more I dug into the content, the more I realized it wasn’t just some random academic subject. These ideas could actually be useful in real life, such as at work, in interviews, and even in everyday conversations. I remember saying to myself, “Wow, this could really help me down the road.”  Instead of skimming the content like I usually do, I found myself reading the whole thing and taking notes. I was not just preparing to pass a class, I was learning things I knew I would use later.

What made it even better was the people in my group and our dynamic. In many group projects, coordinating stuff can be quite stressful sometimes, but this time I feel like we, Valentina, Gaitina, Jenise, and Juan, just clicked. We instantly got each of our topics and divided them as such, communicated, and helped each other out. Once we were done with the presentation, we were all relieved but happy with how it all went. Having people who were organized, and supportive created a safety net.  Definitely gave a big high five in the group chat after.

When the day finally came, September 8th, my nerves still showed up, but they weren't as loud as they usually were. Giving a presentation over Zoom has its own quirks. Technical issues are always a possibility, and it is harder to read the room when most cameras are off. But presenting online also eased some of my usual nerves. I was in my own space, wearing comfortable clothes, with notes positioned just out of view. I could sip water when I needed to and take a deep breath without an entire classroom watching. I am just sitting on my desk, wearing my comfy clothes, notes next to me, taking a few shaky breaths. When it came to my turn, I remember closing my eyes, taking a deep breath, clicking the ‘unmute’ button, and just started talking.

When we wrapped up the presentation, our professor praised our work and energy. I logged off Zoom more than satisfied (and relieved) with the work my group and I did. The person who once dreaded even introducing herself in class had actually liked presenting. Looking back, I think three things made the difference. First, the topic was something I genuinely liked, which made everything feel way less like a chore. Second, my group was awesome. Having teammates who were creative, supportive, and actually did their part made the whole process fun instead of stressful. And third, presenting from home helped. Being in my own space, wearing comfy clothes, with my notes right there, took the edge off.

That morning changed my perspective a little. I realized maybe it is not that I hate public speaking, I just hate it when it feels fake or forced. If I can find a way to connect with the material or work with people who make the process enjoyable, presenting does not have to be this terrifying thing.

Looking back, I think the group dynamic made the biggest difference. Being organized meant we were not scrambling or stressing, and being supportive made the whole thing feel safe. Pair that with a topic I was genuinely interested in. One that I know will be valuable to me in the future, and it completely changed the way I felt about presenting.

I enjoyed watching the other groups present. Normally, I’ll admit, I half-zone out once my part is done. But this time, I stayed tuned in.  I even wrote down a few tips and points they mentioned because I knew they could come in handy later. By the end of class, I’d learned a ton, not just from my group but from everyone else,

too.

As I think about future classes or even my career, I know there will be times when I’ll have to present again. Now I am not saying I will suddenly love every presentation from now on, but now I know that with the right content and the right people, public speaking does not have to be scary. It can even be enjoyable. That afternoon taught me that when everyone in a group pulls their weight, helps each other out, and brings positive energy, the experience transforms from something you dread into something you are proud of.

The next time I face a presentation, I’ll think back to all the tips I learned from all the chapters presented in class and really apply that knowledge cause I really think it's the way to a successful presentation.