Krina Vaghela
How I learned from my own midterm presentation
14 March 2025
🤔 How did I self-analyze and learn from my recent presentation? 🎤
After my recent midterm presentation, I decided to wait a few days before reviewing it. I knew I'd be self-critical, and I wanted to assess it with fresh eyes. So, I did something thrilling... I watched a recording of my presentation.
Why does my voice sound like that? And what are my hands even doing? I also observed myself zoning out at certain points, totally blanking out on what I wanted to say! Why did that happen? 😭
Here's how I analyzed it 👇
Step 1: Audio-Only Playback
I first listened to just the audio, focusing on my vocal image, the tone, clarity, and most importantly, the vocabulary I used. Were my words impactful? Did I articulate my points effectively?
Step 2: Video Without Sound
Next, I played the video on mute to analyze my body language and hand gestures. Was I engaging? Did my movements help or distract me from my message?
Step 3: Eliminating Umm & Ah
Instead of filling pauses with “umm” and “ahh,” I've learned to embrace intentional silence. It feels awkward at first, but a well-timed pause can make a speaker seem more confident and in control.
This self-analysis helped me identify both strengths and areas to improve for future presentations. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about getting better each time (trust the process).
