How to Feel Prepared Before a Speech and Debate Competition

Preparing for a speech and debate competition can be both exciting and nerve-wracking, but with the right mindset and preparation, you can feel confident and ready to perform your best. The key to success lies in staying organized, practicing consistently, and managing your nerves. Here’s how I approach preparing for a competition, step by step, to ensure I’m fully ready.

The Night Before: Packing and Preparation

The night before the competition, I start by making sure I have everything packed and ready to go. I know how stressful it can be to forget something important, so I make a checklist of all the things I’ll need. First, I pack my speech script. I always print out multiple copies to bring with me, in case something gets lost or I need to reference it quickly. I also bring any research or notes I’ve gathered, as well as a pen and notebook to jot down any last-minute thoughts or feedback.

Next, I pack a timer. A lot of competitions require you to stay within a certain time limit, so having a timer helps me practice and ensure I won’t go over. I also make sure I have a comfortable and professional outfit picked out. I know that feeling comfortable and confident in my clothes helps me focus more on my performance. I try to pick something that I feel good in, without being too restrictive. Comfortable shoes are essential, too—after all, I’ll be on my feet for most of the day.

Once everything is packed, I go over my speech one last time to make sure I’m familiar with it and that I can smoothly transition between points. At this point, I focus on the areas where I might be stumbling or where I feel unsure.

The Morning of the Competition: Starting the Day Right

On the day of the competition, I wake up early enough to have a calm and organized morning. A good breakfast is crucial—I avoid anything too heavy or greasy, but I make sure to eat something nutritious to fuel me for the long day ahead. I also try to avoid too much caffeine since it can make me feel jittery and anxious. A balanced meal helps me feel energized and ready to face the day.

As the competition gets closer, I try to calm any pre-competition nerves. It’s totally normal to feel nervous, but I remind myself that I’ve prepared and that I’m ready for this. I’ll take a few deep breaths and remind myself of my strengths—such as my ability to speak clearly and confidently, and my knowledge of the topic I’m discussing. A positive mindset helps reduce anxiety and sets the tone for the day.

Prepping My Speech: Practice Makes Perfect

Once I arrive at the competition, I find a quiet place to practice my speech one more time before it’s my turn. Even if I’ve gone over my speech many times already, I find that practicing right before helps calm my nerves and makes sure I’m still comfortable with the flow. I also take this time to focus on areas that I feel need a little extra attention.

One of the best things I can do during practice is to speak out loud. Practicing in front of a mirror or recording myself allows me to see how I come across. I pay attention to my body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. I remind myself to stand tall, make eye contact with the judges or audience, and vary my tone to keep the audience engaged.

If I have the opportunity, I try to practice in front of a teammate or coach to get feedback. This outside perspective helps me see things I might have missed, and it gives me the chance to practice responding to live feedback, which is something that will happen during the actual competition.

During the Competition: Staying Calm and Confident

When it’s my turn to compete, I focus on staying calm and confident. I remind myself that I’ve done the work, and I’ve practiced enough to perform well. During my speech, I try to speak clearly and at a steady pace. I don’t rush through my points, and I make sure to pause when needed, both to emphasize key moments and to give myself a moment to breathe.

I also stay flexible during my speech. If I make a mistake or forget a point, I don’t panic. Instead, I take a brief moment to collect my thoughts and then continue. The judges are interested in how I handle the situation, so staying calm and composed is important. I keep reminding myself that mistakes are a normal part of learning and improving, and they don’t define my entire performance.

Post-Competition Reflection: Learning from Experience

After the competition, I always take some time to reflect on my performance. I think about what went well—maybe I felt confident with my delivery, or I received great feedback from the judges. I also consider areas where I can improve, whether that’s focusing on my body language, fine-tuning my delivery, or handling my nerves better.

If I received feedback, I make sure to listen closely and think about how I can use it to improve for next time. Sometimes, the judges offer tips on how to improve certain parts of my argument or delivery, and I take note of these points to work on in future competitions.

Staying Consistent: The Power of Practice

The more I practice, the more confident I become. I try to keep up with regular practice sessions, whether that’s speaking in front of teammates, recording myself, or just mentally running through my speech. Practice is key to making sure I’m always improving and feeling ready for the next competition.

Overall, preparing for a speech and debate competition is about staying organized, practicing consistently, and maintaining a calm and confident mindset. By taking the time to prepare, focus on key details, and stay relaxed, I can make sure I’m ready to give my best performance. And, most importantly, each competition is an opportunity to grow and get better for the next one