Studying Online;Succeeding through Distance Learning at University

Coping with online presentations 155 
because they missed a necessary instruction. Even though their 
presentation was very good, they realised they had missed out a 
critical component, and so that increased their nerves and led to 
a loss of marks. 
An essential component of preparation is practice. When I ask 
students how many times they have practised their presentation, 
they usually tell me “once or twice”. However, I used to be the Chief 
Executive Ofcer of the Professional Speaking Association (PSA) 
in the UK. Te members of that organisation earn their living by 
being paid to speak in public at conferences and business events. 
When I asked the top earners in the PSA how many times they 
practise their speeches, they told me “hundreds”. I also used to 
work backstage in a theatre, so I met several actors. I asked them 
how many times they rehearsed each scene. Tey told me “thou-
sands”. You can see where this is heading. Te professionals who 
appear in public practise many more times than students who are 
asked to present in public. 
QUICK TIP: Practise your presentation more times than you 
think is necessary. The more practice you can ft in, the less 
nervous you will be. 
One other important method of reducing your presentation 
nerves is to get honest feedback from someone you trust. Once 
you are reasonably confdent you are adequately prepared and 
have already done some practice, get a friend to watch you. Tey 
will tell you what is good about what you are doing and give you 
some tips on delivery. Tis will help reduce your nerves when it 
comes to the real thing because you already know you are doing 
well and that you have improved upon what you were planning 
due to the feedback. Several years ago, I had to give an import-
ant speech in front of a couple of hundred people. I was nervous, 
despite being an experienced lecturer and public speaker used to 
standing in front of audiences of all sizes. Even so, I asked two of 
my friends to listen to me rehearse my speech. Tey suggested 

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