What comes to mind when thinking about studio crits, guest juries, thesis reviews, and final presentations? For some, it's a blend of adrenaline, panic, fatigue, and perhaps a hint of excitement. Of course, everyone prepares differently and has their own "method to their madness," but it's important to realize that crafting a strong presentation is a mental and physical balancing act.

Academic coverage is an essential aspect of Archinect's editorial lineup. Beyond our exclusive interviews with education leaders and showcases of student work, our special Archinect Tips section consists of an array of handy guides that can help you feel prepared for your presentation.

So, students, whether this is your first presentation as an undergrad or a seasoned fifth-year moving on autopilot, it's easy to forget a few things. Below, we have gathered a list of tips and references to get you through the next few weeks.

Before we get into the logistics of presentation prep, however, let's start by working from the inside out with a few helpful reminders.

Reminder #1: Take a breath, and give yourself moments of pause

Regardless of whichever point you're at during your presentation prep, remember to provide yourself with a moment of pause. As I stated before, there is plenty of adrenaline, (likely) caffeine, and emotions fueling you at this point, but giving yourself a mental moment to recalibrate will never hurt.

When prepping for a presentation to be critiqued and reviewed, it isn't just about the external variables that make it successful but your mental state as well. Whether it's 30 seconds of breathing or going for a quick walk, allow yourself some alone time away from your project to go back to it with a fresh perspective.

Reminder #2: Pacing goes a long way

Between balancing deadlines, getting your files ready for the printer, fabricating your model, and figuring out how to articulate this project you've been working on for months, everything can feel overwhelming and heavy. However, a helpful reminder when prepping for anything is to pace yourself. A lot can be accomplished in a day, but there's a difference between segmenting your workload into manageable chunks versus cramming to finish everything at the 11th hour. The idea of pacing can also be applied to presentation-giving, which we'll cover later in this article.

Reminder #3: Listen to your body, and take care of it

The notion of staying hydrated, eating, and making sure you don't cut yourself with an Olfa blade because you've pulled your third all-nighter are things I remember hearing during my time in the studio. If you're one of those people who mark any of the items I've listed above, just remember, don't be an unnecessary martyr for your project. Suffering to make sure your project is perfect isn't something to show off as a shiny merit badge. Echoing my sentiments from Reminder #2, pace yourself and create a routine that helps your body perform the best way possible. This also goes for hygiene. Doing simple things to make you feel refreshed can go a long way. You don't have to be an architecture fashionista, but feeling good during a presentation can be as simple as wearing an outfit that makes you feel confident and your best self. Sure, you may not be presenting during the Venice Biennale, but as my mother used to tell me: "There's no shame in dressing up for yourself."

Reminder #4: Being part of a studio is being part of a community

When preparing for a big presentation, it's easy to think in the singular. "I need to do this" or "I'm behind on that," but don't forget that you're not the only person in the room. What makes studios and final presentations exciting is that you're going through these experiences with a group of people who understand this environment. So don't be afraid to ask for help and help others. Granted, it's important to be mindful of other people's time and not use them. But if you need an extra pair of eyes when pinning up, or if you need help carrying your extremely fragile model from across the room, ask. (Note: Also, make sure you have push pins! You can never have enough.)

Helpful Presentation Tips

No one knows your project better than you, so don't be afraid to own it. It's easy to get in our heads about saying the wrong thing or using over-inflated architectural jargon that can sometimes do more harm than good. Instead, take a few lessons from our past Archinect Tips coverage on presentation-giving AND how to handle architecture critiques.

Tip #1: Clarity builds strong communication

What I mean by this is people who are viewing your project for the first time can only understand what they see. While beautiful visuals and models are only one part of crafting a solid presentation, be sure to rehearse what you're going to say. In our previous editorial feature, The Architecture Student's Presentation Roadmap, Archinect's Sean Joyner carefully outlines points to consider when presenting. From "building a plan of attack" to focusing on "quality over quantity" — having a guide to reference is helpful.

One of your goals as an architecture student is to develop ways to communicate your ideas verbally and visually. Let's be clear, public speaking isn't everyone's favorite, but don't aim for perfection — aim for clarity. When sharing an idea or narrative, keeping things simple and concise can go a long way. Read more about the topic of clarity in Archinect's, Complexity over clarity? What happens when we try to sound too "smart."

Tip #2: Don't "wing it"... write down your thoughts and practice

Some students might say they "strive under pressure," and there are those who don't. Regardless of what type of student you are, be realistic by giving yourself your best chance at success, starting with writing things down. Not only does this help with staying organized, but it can keep you grounded in your thoughts. As I've stated before, you know your project better than anyone else, so organize your talking points in a way that is clear, concise, and specific to your project.

I often notice students incorporating specific phrases they hear from peers and instructors and using them during their presentations. While sometimes these phrases can be applied, they can undermine the uniqueness of your work and the narrative your project is trying to create.

Tip #3: Be mindful of "architecture speak"

Materiality. Aperture. Contextuality. Intersectionality. We're all familiar with these "buzzwords" that we've heard professors, guest lecturers, and architects use to explain their work. While there is validity to these terms and their complexity in specific scenarios, it's not something you should use as a crutch to explain yourself and your project. The goal shouldn't be to "sound smart." The goal is to be clear.

As I mentioned in Tip #1, you're sharing your work with a group of people who have just learned about your project. Remember to communicate your work to your audience, not confuse them. Read Archinect's How to Face a Jury in Architecture School if you want to explore more ways to communicate with a jury.

Tip #4: Find your voice and presentation rhythm

If you're someone who knows public speaking isn't a strong suit, that shouldn't hinder you from finding ways to turn a "weakness" into a strength. As you plan out your presentation thoughts and rehearse, grow comfortable with finding your voice. Before the big day, get comfortable with hearing your voice. Confidence comes from within. It comes from acknowledging who you are and that what you can offer is worth sharing.

In school and professional settings, it's easy to think there's only one way to be an effective communicator, and that's to be loud. In my experience, I've learned that's quite the opposite. The most successful presentations and speakers are the ones that come from individuals who are comfortable with the information they're about to share. While this skill develops over time, it's important to be comfortable with your own voice and not to rush when speaking. When practicing, understand that you have control over the pace and rhythm of your presentation. The more you rehearse, the easier it becomes when speaking in front of a group or jury. Remember, a strong presenter is someone who knows they have something to offer. So when prepping for your talk, remember that your voice does matter, and you have something to offer.

Tip #5: Jurors are humans and so are you

This particular tip can be applied to both students as well as guest critics and jurors. We've all seen and heard tales of thesis reviews and studio critiques gone awry, thus instilling an unnecessary fear from students who are trying to share their work with others. Students, remember that these guest jurors are people just like you. They were once students like you. They're not "icons" who demand perfection and this idea of "architecture's hero-worship." It's also important to remember that these guest jurors and critics aren't the only people present during your presentation day. You're not amongst strangers but friends, studio mates, colleagues, and instructors as well.

If you walk into a space with the mindset that you're beneath someone or don't have as much to offer (especially as a student), I'd suggest tossing that idea in the trash. Thesis reviews and presentations are made to help facilitate an environment where constructive feedback is given, applicable discussions can be fostered, and student work can be celebrated.

*A friendly reminder for guest jurors and critics: These student presentations aren't about you. As an academic and design professional with years of expertise, your role is to provide constructive feedback by asking questions and providing comments that help students not embarrass them or inflate your own work. You remember what it was like to be a student presenting. Be a good guest.

Have advice for students during thesis reviews and presentations? Share your constructive thoughts with us below in the comments section.