Hello everyone, back again with a new topic: 'How to give the best presentation in your college.' As engineering students, we often need to deliver two to three presentations each semester, ranging from technical seminars to workshops and project presentations. Despite the frequency of these presentations, many of us struggle to perform at our best. However, don't worry! After reading this article, your approach to presentations might change.

Let me begin by discussing how I found the motivation to write this article. Just yesterday, we had a Python project presentation, and despite adequate preparation, we failed to deliver our best. Even the best among us might falter at times, but every failure teaches us valuable lessons. Today, I aim to share insights on delivering the best presentation.

Fear / I am afraid

Many of my friends often express their fear after presentations, mentioning they could have performed better if the presentation were in Hindi or Marathi, or despite their extensive knowledge of the topic, they forget points on stage. Understand that everyone fears public speaking. The key is to manage that fear. Speaking on stage is a skill that teaches us how to handle stress and fear. Once you learn to manage fear, you become the hero of the presentation.

Seize the Opportunity: Be the First

Seize the opportunity to give the first presentation if there are no restrictions based on roll numbers or registration. Many friends avoid going first, preferring to gauge the teacher's mindset by letting a few others present before them. However, giving the first presentation offers numerous advantages. Teachers pay closer attention, granting you extra time and a chance to make a strong impression. I recall during an internal hackathon, our team presented first, exceeding the time limit significantly. Being the first to present worked in our favour as the judges actively listened and provided valuable feedback.

Preparation

Preparing for a presentation is common advice, but the key lies in how you prepare. Don't merely rehearse your presentation script; conduct mock presentations. Enlist 1-2 friends as judges and deliver your presentation in front of them. This practice helps build confidence and allows you to identify any mistakes. Tailor your preparation to the specific type of presentation. For project presentations, understanding the execution of code and technologies used is crucial. Often, brilliant projects receive poor marks due to a lack of presentation skills, underscoring the importance of honing this skill in college life.

Focus on Your Presentation, Not Others

One of the biggest mistakes is altering your presentation plans based on others' performances. While referencing others is fine, constantly changing your strategy based on different teams' performances wastes time and dilutes your team's ideas.

Wear Shoes

This might sound odd, but wearing shoes during presentations can help manage stress on stage. It's a small trick that might just work for you.

PPT Matters a Lot

Create simple yet effective presentation slides. You'll find plenty of YouTube videos on this topic. Ensure your slides directly relate to your presentation. I recommend having someone in your team skilled at creating exceptional slides.

Check the Presentation Venue

Visit the presentation venue a day before, if possible. Familiarizing yourself with the space reduces anxiety on the day of the presentation. Often, being acquainted with the surroundings lessens fear.

Team Size Matters

Keep your team size moderate. For non-technical seminars, a team of four is sufficient. For project presentations, team size varies based on the project's complexity. Additionally, consider maintaining an even-numbered team; while the rationale might not be apparent, following this advice has consistently worked for me.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of presentations in college is crucial. It's an opportunity to learn from mistakes. Don't shy away from presentations; embrace them. I hope this article proves beneficial to you. Thank you for reading.