ciroccoj | How do you spell relief?

E-X-T-E-N-S-I-O-N.

Finished my presentation for Globalisation class. Made up handouts. Printed them out. Brought a (non-noisy) stapler to class so that I could staple them there. Got to class, another student started to present, and I started to staple.

Stapled 17 papers.

Stacked them neatly.

Put them on the corner of my desk, so that they would be ready to go when I was ready to go.

Opened my binder to take out my presentation notes.

Looked through my binder.

Opened my backpack.

Looked through my back pack.

Looked through binder and backpack again.

No notes.

No notes.

No need to panic. I know my material. It's only supposed to be ten minutes long.

But there were government paper quotes there that I was going to read out.

Not a problem; just paraphrase them.

What if I forget parts?

Not a problem; nobody will notice.

What if somebody does? Like, our prof?

You have memorized enough material to fill your time, and then some. Look at your handout; can you picture yourself filling in the blanks?

Yeah, but...

But nothing. You're fine. In fact, this will be a good thing because instead of burying your face in your notes while you talk, you'll be making eye contact with the class and professor. Five points to Gryffindor for good rapport with the audience.

Shut up. This is no time to go into fic-mode.

Sure it is. Relax.

What if somebody asks something I don't know the answer to?

Then your notes wouldn't do you much good anyway, would they?

But-

Relax.

But-

ReLAX.

Wait, what's the prof saying?

"... so we appear to be running out of time... would the last two presenters - I'm sorry, I hate to do this to you, but would you mind terribly if we stopped after this presentation, then do yours next week? I realize it's cutting it rather tight, as you are supposed to use the feedback from this class in your final paper, but..."

::blink blink::

"Um... yeah, OK, I guess so."

"You don't mind? Really?"

"Um, no, that's OK," carefully picking up my pile of handouts that show that I was all ready and raring to go this week, "I'll do it next week. Not a problem."

"OK. Thanks."

::phew::