Girls Only: Ask Dr. M: Feelings

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Dr. M is the author of five advice books, including Getting to Know the Real You: 50 Fun Quizzes Just for Girls, and Girls: What's So Bad About Being Good? How to Have Fun, Survive the Preteen Years, and Remain True to Yourself, both written with her teenage daughter. Dr. M shares this advice column with Molly, a middle school student who loves to play soccer, dance, write and spend time with her friends.

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Dear Dr. M,
Have you ever had to go on stage and sing in front of the students at your school? This is fixing to happen to me because I might get a part and I need to know how I can get my fears away and I don't want to be laughed at by the whole school. So can you give me some tips because that would be great and I really hope it will happen. Bye.

—Chelsea, 9, Tennessee

Dear Chelsea,
If you get a part, rehearse as much as you can, not just in school but also at home and in front of friends. The more prepared you feel, the more relaxed you're likely to be. Take a couple of deep breaths before you go up on stage and remind yourself that it's normal to feel scared. Once you start to sing, your fear is likely to decrease. Then give yourself a chance to enjoy the attention and applause.


	Dear Chelsea, I understand why you are worried but think of the positive. If you do get the part that means you are a good singer so people will probably really enjoy hearing you sing. I don't think they will laugh. To calm yourself down remember to take deep, slow breaths. It really will help. Once you are on stage imagine that no one is there. Act like it is just a rehearsal or think of a place that you usually like to sing. Picture yourself in that place and pretend no one is watching. That should also help you relax. Or pick a spot in the back of the auditorium and stare at it. You could occasionally look at the audience but not too much because it will probably get you more nervous. Try not to get stressed. If you keep thinking that something is going to go wrong, something will go wrong. Try not to focus on that and just have fun singing.

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