Reply from the Highlights Editors
Being nervous before a competition or a performance is very common. If you begin to feel scared at a swim meet, take a moment to sit quietly and take deep, slow breaths. This may help to calm you. If you are at a place where you can’t sit, such as on the way to the starting blocks, you can still take deep breaths and try to think positive thoughts. Perhaps you can imagine yourself swimming particularly well in the race.

It might help to think about a meet as if it were a practice session. Instead of thinking about the kids you are competing against or the people who are watching, imagine that you are trying your hardest in practice.

Best wishes,
The Highlights Editors