It can be daunting to give a presentation in front of classmates and teachers, especially if your skills are not yet developed in visual and oral presenting.
You can deliver your presentation like an expert with the correct presentation tips and public speaking skills. This piece has compiled the best presentation tips to help students and other new presenters. Once you present a successful presentation, you will improve your skills each time. These killer presentation tips will ensure that it goes smoothly.
As a student, when your tutor or lecturer mentions “presentation”, the first thing that you do is panic, but it’s not necessary because you can look up to education powerpoint template on the internet making it easier for teachers and students to create projects and lectures that look professional and organized.
You might need to summarize your readings in a seminar or present the results of a scientific experiment. Or provide feedback on a group task. No matter your chosen topic, you will usually deliver it to your tutor or fellow students. Standing up in front of an audience can be challenging, especially if you’re not used to it.
It is also important to note that many employers use presentations in their recruitment process and good presentation skills will still be needed after school days.
9 Effective Presentation Tips for Students
Rindx team shares top 9 presentation tips to ensure your presentation stands out.
Read calmly and carefully
You should allow yourself ample time to prepare. Last-minute rushes will make it difficult to deliver a killer presentation. Rindx team recommends that you plan the structure and format. This includes the introduction, key facts and conclusions, and your presentation’s purpose.
Ask yourself why you are putting together the presentation and what you hope to accomplish.
Take notes for planning purposes, but don’t rely upon them on the day.
You can take a small memory aid with your presentation.
You will also need to plan the timing of your presentation during the planning stage. You are given a time limit to ensure that you don’t miss any deadlines or go over the limits. This is especially true if your presentation is part of an exam or assessment.
Our careers team says it’s a good idea to prepare answers to any questions about the presentation.
Tell stories and be bold.
It is essential to create a compelling and engaging opening in order to grab your audience’s attention during the presentation.
Whatever you choose to begin your presentation, ensure it is relevant to the topic and supports the main message you want to convey to your audience at the end.
These are some ways to use stories to make a killer presentation:
- Tell us about a question, problem, or story.
- Mention a notable or interesting person.
- Tell a story about the main topic of your presentation.
- Depict an exciting chart, statistic, or image.
- Watch a short video to set up your presentation.
- Make an interesting statement that shocks or excites your audience.
Stories are a great way to relate concepts, ideas, and information. This provides context that helps your audience better understand and relate to your presentation. Tell stories that support and enhance your main ideas.
Use visuals smartly
Remember that visual aids are meant to complement your oral presentation and not replace it. Your slides should provide a summary of the points or illustrate the concept you’re presenting, but you are the primary focus.
To put together your slides and visual aids,
- Our careers team advises that you don’t clutter your slides and keep them simple. Keep it simple and stick to one idea per slide.
- Our careers team reminds you to consider accessibility. Is the presentation’s design affecting its usability? Are all members of the audience able to see your slides? Use high-contrast colors and large fonts to ensure that your slides are easily understood. Avoid complicated charts and graphs when using graphics. Make sure videos are captioned if you use them.
- Handouts should be distributed at the end or beginning of your presentation if you plan to give them out. It can interrupt your flow if you do it halfway through.
Do not rely on the slides to read aloud. Instead, use them as a starting point for your story.
It is also important to remember that a presentation can only be as good as its content. Your presentation may look great visually, but your audience will not be able to see the point if they lack knowledge.
Consider your audience
You can add many elements to a presentation, including sound, video and handouts.
Depending on the subject or the work you are presenting, your presentation may be serious or lighthearted.
Consider how much background information is necessary to show you care about your audience. Are they familiar with the subject you are presenting?
It will frustrate your audience if you spend the first half of your presentation explaining to them what they already know. They may also get confused if you get into too much detail. It is important to balance your message and know your audience.
Consider finding a mentor or copying others who inspire you.
Although you are encouraged to develop your speaking voice and personality, getting advice from great speakers is helpful. Ask your teacher or boss to mentor you. Ensure you are clear about your goals and what you want from the relationship.
Many online classes, videos, and other resources can help you improve your presentation skills. Spend time studying other presentations to learn from others and then mimic what you find most compelling.
Practice with a friend
Your presentation should be repeated at least once more, and preferably in front of an audience. You can ask a friend to help you practice. To ensure everyone can hear your speech, ensure they are seated at a distance. This practice run could be done in the same room where you will be giving your presentation.
This will allow you to determine if your presentation is too long when it’s read aloud. It also gives you the opportunity to practice speaking in front of others.
Practice how to;
- Be calm and talk slowly – Nerves can cause you to rush, but it is important that you slow down your speech. Every sentence, point, or phrase you make should be finished with a deep breath.
- Face your audience – Make eye contact regularly to make a confident impression. Use a screen stand at 45 degrees to get a clear view of your audience and slides. Do not turn your back on your audience.
- Allow time for questions – Add this to your time limit, and be ready to answer any questions.
Our team also recommends recording yourself giving a presentation on Zoom or Teams. “Play it back and think about it. It should be clear and concise. If it makes sense, ask yourself why. What are your non-verbal mannerisms? Are you able to communicate well? Do you talk too fast? Are you friendly and smiling? ‘
Be positive and enthusiastic.
In the days before the presentation, try to maintain a positive attitude. It may seem obvious and a little challenging to do if you are shy, but it will make all the difference in your performance. Recognize your nervousness, but don’t allow negative thoughts to win. Instead of dwelling on all the possible problems, visualize a positive outcome and think about what you can do.
Nerves can make it seem like the room is against you, but that is not the case. Your tutor and your fellow students want you to succeed. Your introduction should be strong to set you up for success. Begin with confidence and a smile.
Communicate with body language, facial expressions, and eye contact.
Although the content of your presentation is essential, it’s also important to communicate your ideas in nonverbal communication.
- Instead of being static, move calmly around the floor or stage where you are presenting. Instead of being distracting, let your movements flow with the presentation.
- Try to avoid sitting behind a table or podium.
- Keep eye contact with your audience to make it feel more personal.
- Make facial expressions and gestures when explaining concepts or expressing excitement about a topic.
- Stand straight with your shoulders back to show confidence and make your audience feel welcome.
Don’t rely completely on technology.
We have all seen the pain of a presenter trying to fix a broken USB stick or get their projector working. With a bit of planning, it’s possible to minimize the chance of technology tripping up.
You should test your presentation with the same equipment you will use in the real thing. If you can’t make it to the event on time, be sure to do a practice run. You should know how to connect your laptop to your projector. If your presentation contains links to video clips or web pages, ensure they work before you start. If things go wrong, make backups and print a few copies.
But, don’t depend too much on your slides. You should always be able to present your presentation without your slides, and if you need them, use your index cards or notes as memory aids.
Don’t panic if technology fails. Everyone in the room will experience it at one point or another. It’s okay to be a little fazed. You might even impress your tutor more if it goes smoothly.
Effective Presentation Tips for Students – Final Thoughts
You will be asked to present at some point in your professional and educational career. You will continue to learn how to create clear and engaging presentations and communicate your ideas to others.
There are many ways to present a presentation. However, the essential presentation tips shared in this post will help you make effective presentations regardless of your preferred style.
You can set goals to help you improve your presentation skills over time. People spend their whole lives trying to be great speakers. Be patient and learn from your mistakes.
