Originally Posted by Mowicz

After doing my first tutorial, I found I was insanely nervous despite having lots of 1 on 1 tutoring, and small tutorial experience. (This is because my tutorial had close to 80 students in it and is in one of the very large lecture halls in the HSC building).

How do I calm down? Preparation isn't the issue, because I prepared for 3 hours (as opposed to the recommended hour) and had lots of organized things to say...but when I delivered them, I'd leave out points and later be like "I probably should have mentioned (whatever)." In other words, the nervousness destroyed my organization.

I also have a sneaking suspicion that 2 smart-alec-y students were laughing at me every time I turned around like I had a "Kick Me" sign on my back or something. Of course it likely wasn't me they were laughing at, but the paranoia is definitely there, haha. It's a lack of confidence in front of large groups (which is weird, because I thought I was fine in front of large groups...doing drama and other performances).



Does anyone have any advice? During my office hours (later on in the week) a student told me he didn't notice I was nervous and that I did an ok job...but I know for sure, I didn't deliver the material like I should/could have...even if it was 'good enough anyway.'

I always forget to say something during presentations or when I'm explaining something to someone. Have you tried cue-cards?

As for the nervousness, not sure what to do. I usually just suck-it up but then again a presentation is a lot shorter compared to a tutorial.

You can tell your students that you're nervous. They're students too, and second year ones, so they can sort of appreciate the fact that what you're doing can be a little nerve-wracking.

lol Cheri. (:

The problem is that tutorials (in math at least) shouldn't be like presentations (the irony is, I think I could teach the lectures for this class and be less nervous, haha...since they're more like presentations) in the sense that they shouldn't be 'set in stone' so to speak.

In effect, a TA acts as the link between students and the professor, so I need to be responsive to students and pick up on their reactions a lot more than a presenter would need to (although the reactions are what often times make presenters nervous). My duties, for this particular course, are to be able to explain any concepts on the fly, and answer any homework problems on the fly...I'm pretty sure this spontaneity (paired with the prospect of looking foolish and unprepared in front of so many students) is what makes me nervous.

In other words, even after doing all their homework problems as preparation, I'm unsure of which homework problems will be asked. So unfortunately I don't think something like cue cards would cut it...but thank you for the input. (:

EDIT: Do you think it would help Danielle? It wouldn't hurt, and I suppose it'd show them I'm human (which has other approachability benefits). Honesty is the best Policy, in a really twisted context haha.

Perhaps you can ask them to e-mail you with the questions they're having problems with. That way, you can go through questions a bit quicker (which the kids will like) and you'll feel more confident.

Originally Posted by Mowicz

Do you think it would help Danielle? It wouldn't hurt, and I suppose it'd show them I'm human (which has other approachability benefits). Honesty is the best Policy, in a really twisted context haha.

I have found that students respond better when you are personable -- either sharing stories, talking to them at the same level etc. Admitting that you're nervous about teaching atm may get you a better response.