How to Calm Your Nerves

Valedictorian Speeches made easy for you


Congratulations on being asked to present the Valedictorian speech.


This is in deed an honor.


There is also a companion page at Graduation speech which outlines how to structure your Valedictorian speech.


On this page are some techniques to assist your presentation of this great speech on this auspicious occasion.


To relax and enable you to be at your best, you can calm the nerves with the steps below.

Calm the Nerves


You may want to print this page and take it with you on this excursion.


1. Be prepared
Writing your speech is not difficult. Here is a skeleton and structure to use.


2. Visualise
Visualise the occasion. To help you, visit the venue if you can where you will present the Valedictorian Speech.
The venue may be a familiar one, so a visit may not be required. But if you are super nervous, or have never stood to speak from the stage or podium at this venue, then a visit is an excellent idea. You will be surprised how this small excursion will considerably calm your anxiety.


If you cannot visit, imagine and vividly visualise those parts of the journey below that will be the same: the venue size, the audience, the sounds, the atmosphere of excitement.


Make as vivid an image as possible. Over the next few weeks and days, you will replay the steps below over and over again.

When you are at the venue …



- Sit / stand where you will walk from, or simply sit on the floor.
- Walk the path you will take out to the speaking spot. This could be a podium on the stage.

((It'll be be such a looooooooooong walk there... SECONDS WOULD FEEL LIKE EONS~!))

- When at the podium scan the space, the venue. Scan where the audience will be seated. Look around to where the dignitaries will be seated. Look at your fellow graduates.


- Note some of the detail in the space.


- Now scan these spaces again and imagine your audience.

- In your mind, populate the seats - see the faces.

- See the faces urging you on, smiling, laughing, even clapping - can you see this?


- Know that this whole audience, and the dignitaries who are most likely on stage, ALL want you to be successful.


They ALL want you to do well. They are here to hear your words.

- Just stand there and see all these people supporting you.

- See and hear them applaud as you end your Valedictorian speech.

- Return to your seat - walk from the speaking point (podium) back to where you will be sitting or standing.


- Hear the applause as you sit or return to your position.


NOTE: have no negative images or sounds or experiences in your visualisation, although make it real in your mind.

((i have been imagining myself tripping on what I wear, on my own feet or simply just falling flat on the ground for no reason))


Now, when you are away from the venue, when you are quiet, maybe sitting having lunch, maybe in the shower, maybe lying in bed, replay your tape: see the images, hear the applause, the sounds, smell the room.


Replay your visualisation as often as you like.


This successful imagery will build confidence and calm the nerves, AND create the best experience of a Valedictorian speech.


These simple steps are my proven strategy to calm the nerves. By simply walking where you will walk, and standing where you will stand, nerves dissipate not totally, but sufficiently.

To be at your best, a few nerves will aid your presentation as you become alert to the occasion, your audience and your message.


All the very best, and most important, ENJOY the occasion and have FUN !!