How Present Pal Helps Students Manage Presentation Anxiety
For many students, standing up and speaking in front of a class or assessment panel is one of the most nerve-wracking parts of university life. Presentation anxiety is common, but for disabled and neurodivergent students, it can feel overwhelming.
At a recent assessor meeting, someone asked us a simple but powerful question: “How does Present Pal actually help with anxiety when presenting?” This blog takes a closer look at that very question.
Why presentations trigger anxiety
When a student walks into a presentation room, their body can enter fight-or-flight-or-freeze mode. Racing thoughts, shaky voice, memory blanks, or losing track of where they are can all hit at once.
For students with additional learning needs, these challenges are often magnified. Processing speed, working memory, and focus can all be affected by anxiety, making it harder to deliver their ideas clearly, even when they’ve prepared.
The result? Presentations can feel like a barrier rather than an opportunity.
The student experience without support
Imagine a student who’s spent hours preparing slides. As soon as they begin speaking, their mind goes blank. They forget key points, stumble over their words, and lose confidence with every passing second.
This experience doesn’t just affect grades. It knocks confidence, increases stress levels, and leaves students dreading the next time they’ll be asked to present.
How Present Pal provides reassurance and structure
This is where Present Pal comes in. It’s designed to support students before and during their presentations so they can manage anxiety and feel in control.
Preparation support – Students can customise notes and scripts into bite-sized prompts that feel manageable. This makes rehearsing less overwhelming and builds confidence ahead of time.
Real-time guidance – During the presentation, prompts appear on their phone in the exact order they need them, reducing the fear of “blanking out.”
Flexible pacing – The app gives discreet control over timing and flow, so students can slow down, pause, or pick up the pace without panic.
Discreet support – Using a phone instead of printed notes or cue cards provides reassurance that feels natural and unobtrusive to the audience.
Together, these features reduce cognitive load and let students focus less on remembering every word and more on how they deliver their message.
From panic to confidence
Over time, using Present Pal helps students reframe presentations. Instead of approaching them with dread, they begin to feel calmer and more prepared.
By managing anxiety in the moment and providing structure, Present Pal doesn’t just improve grades — it helps students build lasting confidence.
How Present Pal Impacts Students
Why this matters for assessors
For assessors, the key takeaway is that Present Pal isn’t just a note-taking tool. It’s an anxiety-management aid that helps students participate fully in academic life.
By reducing the stress of presenting, it allows students to showcase their knowledge, gain confidence, and engage in opportunities they might otherwise avoid.
Presentations will probably always bring a few nerves. But with Present Pal, students don’t have to face overwhelming anxiety alone. The app provides reassurance, structure, and discreet support — helping them move from panic to confidence.
If you support students who experience anxiety when presenting, consider how Present Pal can make their academic journey a little less stressful and a lot more empowering.
Meet with Joe to Learn More
Want to see how Present Pal could support your students? Book a demo with Joe and explore the difference it can make.
