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Be sure to get a good night’s sleep before a speech. Avoid excessive sugar and caffeinated beverages the morning of your presentation—these will only make you more jittery. If you don’t feel much like eating on the day of your speech, consume a light meal before you deliver your presentation. Then reward yourself with a favorite feast when it’s all over.

Also, budget your time in the days leading up to your speech. It’s hard to get sufficient sleep, prepare nutritious meals, and practice your presentation if you have to work six hours, study for a test, and write a ten-page paper the day before you deliver your speech. Having too much to do in too little time intensifies anxiety. To avoid this scenario, look at the syllabi for all your courses early in the semester to see when major assignments are due. Consider other commitments as well, such as job, family, and community responsibilities. Then plan your time so that the days leading up to your speech are as relaxed as possible.