A 5-Step Guide to Presentations in Academia

Author: Jennifer Manning, Head of Academic Programmes, Innopharma Education

Jennifer is Head of Academic Programmes at Innopharma Education and lectures in Digital Communications. She knows academic presentations can spark anxiety for students – but with the right approach, they become a chance to shine and build skills for professional life in sectors including Pharma, MedTech, Food and Digital careers.

Strong presentation skills go beyond good grades. They equip you to communicate complex ideas clearly in professional settings. At Innopharma Education, we support this through our assessment strategies and work preparation to turn nerves into confidence. Here are five secrets to master your next presentation.

Start Strong: The Five-Part Introduction

Your opening is your first impression — and first impressions count. Every strong presentation introduction should tell your audience:

• Who you are
• The title of your presentation
• The purpose of your talk
• Your main message
• A short outline of what’s coming next

These five details frame your presentation clearly so your audience (and your lecturer!) can easily follow your story from start to finish.

Don’t Just Practise — Rehearse with Purpose

Most students run through their slides a few times and hope for the best. But real confidence comes from a three-stage rehearsal approach:

• Logic Check: Do your slides flow in a way that makes sense? Adjust your structure and transitions until your argument feels smooth.
• Timing & Flow: Once the logic works, focus on rhythm and duration to make sure you’re hitting the right pace.
• Feedback Round: Try presenting to a friend or record yourself. Watching or listening back helps spot gaps or confusing explanations.

This step-by-step method helps you sound natural and confident — not like you’re reading a script, but like you truly own your material.

Make Your Slides Work for You

Good visuals don’t just make slides look nicer — they help your audience remember what you say. Research shows that when you combine visuals with words, people remember much more.

Use images or simple graphics to:

• Explain complex ideas
• Show data clearly
• Connect abstract points visually

Keep your design clean, consistent, and uncluttered. Avoid walls of text. White space and strong contrast are your friends — your audience will thank you for it.

Nervous? That’s Totally Normal

If presentations make your heart race, you’re not alone. The key is to see anxiety as a signal, not a setback. Usually, nerves mean you just need a little more preparation.

Follow two steps:

• Step 1: Plan your slides and research carefully — once you know you’ve done the work, you’ll already feel calmer.
• Step 2: Practise your introduction and rehearse the full talk several times. Familiarity replaces fear.

By the time you present, your nerves will shift into focus and energy — the kind that makes you come across as confident and engaging.

Dress for Confidence

Even how you dress can help settle nerves. Looking the part tells both your audience and your brain that you’re prepared. For graded presentations, the safe rule is business casual:

✅ Collared shirts, blouses, smart trousers, or skirts
❌ Jeans, runners, or casual hoodies

Think of it as part of your presentation toolkit — a simple confidence boost that shows respect for your work.

Your Preparation Is Your Performance

When you follow these steps, you’re not just improving your presentations — you’re learning professional skills that will carry you far beyond your studies.

So next time you open your slides, don’t panic. Take a deep breath, plan your process, and remember: confidence isn’t something you’re born with; it’s something you build.

A caveat: Refer to your marking scheme and rubric every time and use the advice above judiciously!