Public Speaking Preparation: Key Points (Last-Minute Review)

Focus on the audience and the message; practice mindfulness and full attention to reduce division in focus.
Ask: $\text{Why am I so anxiety-ridden about giving a presentation?}$ and $\text{What is the worst that can happen?}$
Build relationships with classmates by midterm to find friendly faces; avoid magnifying fears by overthinking scenarios; perspective helps (e.g., some experiences are harder than public speaking).
Instructor support aims to minimize the "unknowns" that fuel worry.

Sleep and rest: adequate sleep improves energy, alertness, and delivery; chronic sleep loss harms performance.
Nutrition: opt for protein-based foods before speaking (e.g., cheese or peanut butter on whole grain toast; Greek yogurt; eggs) rather than processed sugars; milk’s effect on mucus is not scientifically proven.
Attire: wear clothes that look good and feel comfortable, appropriate for the context; comfortable shoes with a firm base for posture; avoid flip-flops and very high heels.
Relaxation techniques: use stretching or relaxation to release tension (hands, arms, legs, throat); wide yawns can help; practice with an instructor or reliable online resources.

Know the venue: room layout, projection equipment, audience size, seating arrangements; gather as much information as possible beforehand.
Practice in a room similar to the actual space when possible.
Be on time or early: avoids rushing, helps you stay mindful, calm, and credible; early presence allows equipment checks and audience interaction.

Procrastination is tempting but risky for public speaking; last-minute outlines may compromise performance. If you complete an outline at $3:00 \,text{a.m.}$ with a presentation at $9:00$ , you’ll likely be tired and unfocused.
Practice is essential: you must rehearse out loud, standing up, with shoes on, with an actual listener and your visual aids; timing is critical to meet the assignment’s time limits.
Rehearse with recording when possible: record from the feet up (or at least the hips up) to observe body language; the goal is confidence, fluency, and control.
Time management: you may estimate a different length on practice (e.g., a speech that seems to be $5\text{ minutes}$ long could become $10\text{ minutes}$ , or as short as $2\text{ minutes}$ on delivery).
Regular practice remains essential as you advance beyond a novice level.