how to ace your graduation project
The final graduation project presentation day for 2015 is coming up at the end of April, and, for some, passing is crucial in order to walk across the field at graduation. You have sat through monthly meetings, finished thirty hours or more of service, kept an ongoing journal of events, and wrote the two page paper. Now is time to explain all of the hard work and effort you put into it. Here are some tips for acing the project that could make or break whether you earn that diploma on June 5 this year.
The first tip is simple: Get your project done early. No one with a license wants to be stuck in school any longer than necessary. Not only do your grad project teachers want it to be over with, but consider the great feeling of walking out of school at 2 p.m. while everyone else is stuck sitting around for another 45 minutes.
A visual aid is a great and necessary addition to any presentation. While making a slideshow or poster, be sure to follow the rubric given on the school website. Review this before handing in all parts of the project to ensure the best possible score.
Along with the slideshow tip, be sure not to write full sentences or paragraphs on the slides. The visual aid is meant to let the viewer understand key points and see pictures— not to read another essay. Place a picture and a few bullet points on each slide. If needed, write down details on an index card to help you remember what to say.
The next grad project tip is to explain with details. While you know what you did, your teachers do not. The advisors were not there to see you working every day after school at the soup kitchen or with children. They want to know how long you were working, what your role was, and what you learned from it. Tell why you chose your community service project, what the organization is or does, and how they benefited from your work specifically. Explain a full day of work to your advisors. A lack of this explanation could end in failure.
Another idea that could enhance your project and make it stand out from others is your appearance. Did you work at a summer camp, soup kitchen, or coach a sport? Wear some of the gear from the program. This will take your project to the next level and show the teachers what your project was about even before you begin. Along with your opening, say something interesting to start off your presentation on a high note and capture their attention.
Now that you have your outfit chosen and a killer presentation, practice it. For some, giving speeches can be nerve-racking, but the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Practice in front of family members and friends to be sure that you deliver all of the necessary information. Do not forget to keep eye contact, look confident, and enunciate words. Make sure you reach the time limit as well.
Finally, never end with “so, um, yep, that is what I did.” Be confident in your project and show that you put effort into it and the presentation. A simple “I’m glad I chose this because…” or “In conclusion, this project taught me…” can go a long way.
This project should be a priority for students to finish, because it is a requirement for graduation. While for some, it can be intimidating to speak in front of elders, with a killer presentation and confidence, this could be the easiest project you have done in high school. Follow these tips and you will be one step closer to accepting your diploma at the end of your high school career.
The first tip is simple: Get your project done early. No one with a license wants to be stuck in school any longer than necessary. Not only do your grad project teachers want it to be over with, but consider the great feeling of walking out of school at 2 p.m. while everyone else is stuck sitting around for another 45 minutes.
A visual aid is a great and necessary addition to any presentation. While making a slideshow or poster, be sure to follow the rubric given on the school website. Review this before handing in all parts of the project to ensure the best possible score.
Along with the slideshow tip, be sure not to write full sentences or paragraphs on the slides. The visual aid is meant to let the viewer understand key points and see pictures— not to read another essay. Place a picture and a few bullet points on each slide. If needed, write down details on an index card to help you remember what to say.
The next grad project tip is to explain with details. While you know what you did, your teachers do not. The advisors were not there to see you working every day after school at the soup kitchen or with children. They want to know how long you were working, what your role was, and what you learned from it. Tell why you chose your community service project, what the organization is or does, and how they benefited from your work specifically. Explain a full day of work to your advisors. A lack of this explanation could end in failure.
Another idea that could enhance your project and make it stand out from others is your appearance. Did you work at a summer camp, soup kitchen, or coach a sport? Wear some of the gear from the program. This will take your project to the next level and show the teachers what your project was about even before you begin. Along with your opening, say something interesting to start off your presentation on a high note and capture their attention.
Now that you have your outfit chosen and a killer presentation, practice it. For some, giving speeches can be nerve-racking, but the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Practice in front of family members and friends to be sure that you deliver all of the necessary information. Do not forget to keep eye contact, look confident, and enunciate words. Make sure you reach the time limit as well.
Finally, never end with “so, um, yep, that is what I did.” Be confident in your project and show that you put effort into it and the presentation. A simple “I’m glad I chose this because…” or “In conclusion, this project taught me…” can go a long way.
This project should be a priority for students to finish, because it is a requirement for graduation. While for some, it can be intimidating to speak in front of elders, with a killer presentation and confidence, this could be the easiest project you have done in high school. Follow these tips and you will be one step closer to accepting your diploma at the end of your high school career.