Studying Online;Succeeding through Distance Learning at University

QUICK TIP: Whenever you have to present online, ensure you 
get 20 minutes of brisk exercise in the half-hour before. It will 
reduce your nervousness signifcantly. 

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152 Studying online 
It might seem unlikely that something as simple as going for a 
walk will reduce your nervousness. In several tests of this, both 
with students and people in business, I have found it produces 
a real impact. For instance, in one class, I asked everyone to rate 
their nervousness at the start of the session in which they were 
due to make a presentation. Ten I asked one group to give their 
presentations immediately and rate their nervousness after they 
had fnished speaking. However, with the second group of stu-
dents, I sent them out for a walk. I then asked them to rate their 
nervousness when they got back into the room and once again 
after they had fnished speaking. 
Te students in both groups reported a similar fall in nervousness 
once it was all over. However, the group who had exercised started 
with a lower level of nervousness. Overall, not only were those 
who exercised less nervous, the fall in anxiety after a presentation 
meant that the experience was more enjoyable. It is clear that ex-
ercise has a real impact on your presentation anxiety. Indeed, oth-
er researchers have discovered the impact of exercise on reducing 
anxiety (Wood et al., 2018). 
moving while presenting online 
You can get the benefts of muscular movement while you are pre-
senting online, even if you are sitting in your chair at your desk. 
Move your feet back and forth, swinging your legs under the desk. 
taBLe 8.1 impact of exercise on ratings of 
nervousness before and after presenting 
Nervousness before 
Nervousness after 
presentation 
presentation 
No exercise before 
9 
7 
presentation 
20 minutes’ exercise 
6 
4 
before presentation 

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