This graphic describes the anxiety ups and downs of public speaking, but the emotional ride before an interview is very similar.
While this information is super relevant to us, adults, too, when coaching high school students for college admission interviews, we work through this in great detail.
Understanding the anxiety ride helps to manage the feelings! The roller coaster goes a bit like this:
🎢 You find out about the interview….nerves spike.
🎢 Weeks leading up to it? Doubt, excitement, back to nerves.
🎢 Right before the interview begins…full-on panic.
🎢 You start talking…heart racing.
🎢 After those first 5-10 words something clicks…it gets smoother.
🎢 Maybe a little turbulence mid-way (awkward question? blank moment?), but you recover.
🎢 Q&A goes better than expected.
🎢 Interview is complete….exhale.
This is completely normal. Interviews are intimidating, especially when they feel like so much is on the line.
Here’s the good news: students (and all of us) can learn how to manage this anxiety, prepare with confidence, and show up as their authentic selves.
That’s what I help students do.
✨ A great interview isn’t about perfection, it’s about connection.
👇 Parents, has your teen experienced this pre-interview rollercoaster? I’d love to hear what’s worked for you or your student.
📷 “The Eight Stages of Public Speaking Anxiety: How to Overcome Them”