OCD presentation

[Babydoll]

well, In my 3rd year Nueropyschology class, we have to give a 20 minute presentation on a brain disorder of our choice. I picked OCD, because I was recently diagnosed with it.


I'm scared to death. All my life I've avioded doing presentations, and managed to escape almost all of them. This time, I want to do it, but Im terrified.


I'm going to have to stand up there in front of 20 people and pronounce parts of the brain that I never even knew existed untill about a week ago!


part of me is excited because I know so much about this disorder, but talking about it on the nuerological level is a bit intimidating. Any tips or hints for me?

[SimplyMe]

Aww, you're going to do great! You've probably taken speech by now, it's always scarier until you do it. Do you have any friends in that class? Maybe you could practice outside of class on that person then in class focus mostly on them so you can trick yourself into thinking it's just practice? Do you have to do it all from memory or do you get to bring your cheat sheet? If you get a cheat sheet maybe spell the difficult words the way they are pronounced tot ake the pressure off of messing up? Also remember if this is something everyone has to do then they are all just as nervous as you and probably thinking more about how they willhandle their turn than how well you perform. Overall you have gotten this far there is no reason for it to go badly! Good luck! I hope this helps, let us know how it goes!

[crimgoddess]

Babydoll- I'm a masters student, and often get asked to guest speak/do presentationsin different classes due to the nature of my work (prisoner's rights/critical study of sex offenders). Usually these are the larger classes- so I can have anywhere from 150-200 eyes staring back at me. The first time, my knees were shaking and I had the podium in a grip of death.


First off- these 20 people are your classmates, and probably feel your pain because they too have to do presentations. They aren't technically strangers, and should all know where you are coming from.


I know for myself, although many people get nervous and would prefer to concentrate on an area at the back of the room, I like to look at the crowd and make eye contact with the people who seem receptive to what I am saying (nodding their heads, smiling, look interested, etc.) Not exceedingly long eye contact- just enough so that I am encouraged and know that I'm not talking into a vacuum.


Also- the more comfortable you are with the material, the more comfortable you will be. You know a lot about this disorder- which is great- but practice makes perfect. As SimplyMe suggested, practising with another person, or even to yourself in the mirror (lol- I practice to my cat- I think she knows more about criminology that most criminology students).


Might I make a suggestion? Don't write your presentation down word for word. If you get nervous, you may get tempted just to read it out as opposed to doing a 'true' presentation. It is more interesting to watch- not to mention you will get a better grade, if your presentation is natural, and you are able to have fun with it. try to bring the audience in- ask them questions, plan a small activity, etc. If they have fun, they you can feed off their energy. That, and what you are saying will make more of an impression.


Hope you do well (but we all know you will)


*amber*

[californiagirl]

BABYDOLL~~~


Will you have a written presentation/report as well?? I'd love to read it!!!

[Babydoll]

actually, I'll probably be using powerpoint for my presentation. Its not untill march 20th, but maybe I will see if I can upload it to the site somehow when its finished!

[californiagirl]

That would be great----let me know............

[loopy_lou]

Hiya babydoll!


I'm sure u'll do gr8 at ur presentation, i no im only 13 so u prob think im tlkin crap but when i have 2 do presentations sometimes (obviously not as important as yours!!) and i panic but when it comes to the actual thing, i do really well


So good luck n u must tell me how ya got on


Lou


xx