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Replies: 40
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Ring of Honor [21375]
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Set to defend my dissertation tomorrow morning. Nervous and excited.
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Dec 11, 2024, 4:13 PM
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Does anyone who's defended have any last-minute advice? I can't believe the journey is almost over.
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Tiger Spirit [10028]
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Re: Set to defend my dissertation tomorrow morning. Nervous and excited.
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Dec 11, 2024, 4:17 PM
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Yeah I have been a defendant. What's up?
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1st Rounder [635]
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Re: Set to defend my dissertation tomorrow morning. Nervous and excited.
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Dec 11, 2024, 4:18 PM
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"Smoke 2 joints".
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Mascot [27]
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Re: Set to defend my dissertation tomorrow morning. Nervous and excited.
Dec 11, 2024, 4:24 PM
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Cheech or Chong ?
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Valley Legend [12476]
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Re: Set to defend my dissertation tomorrow morning. Nervous and excited.
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Dec 11, 2024, 4:55 PM
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“It’s Maui Labrador Man”
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Ring of Honor [21375]
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Orange Blooded [2567]
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CU Guru [1578]
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Re: Set to defend my dissertation tomorrow morning. Nervous and excited.
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Dec 11, 2024, 4:18 PM
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Get a good night’s sleep. You got it.
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Ring of Honor [21375]
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Thanks Shirley!***
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Dec 11, 2024, 4:33 PM
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Clemson Conqueror [11919]
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couple of thoughts...
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Dec 11, 2024, 4:25 PM
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If its via zoom you have a great advantage. You can put placards all around you.
Think putting an actual step ladder just behind your computer with stuff taped to it.
Also, its easier to look at one word or a few words to jog your memory rather than trying to say some long sentences verbatim. So have cards with bulleted items that you don't want to forget.
If you are doing it in person have the cards in you pocket with just the bulleted items and not the whole thing. That way you can look at the key words right before you begin.
The biggest thing is you wouldn't have done this if it wasn't something you are passionate about. When you feel strongly about something it's much easier to talk about than some random topic. Recite your core beliefs of your dissertation and remember why you are doing it right before you go in to stoke they passion you have for your project.
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Ring of Honor [21375]
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AWF...THANK YOU!
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Dec 11, 2024, 4:35 PM
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It is over Zoom, and I thought about doing that. I have the worst memory. I am going to put cards on the wall behind me with key references. I think I know my subject well but still nervous as heck!
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Gridiron Giant [16024]
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Whats to be nervous about??
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Dec 11, 2024, 4:41 PM
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You know this stuff.
Take a deep breath, speak from your heart.. you have all the info in there.
Find you flow and just it roll..
The work is done friend, just go tell em what’s up.
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Ring of Honor [21375]
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Thank you so much. Nervous because I have a poor memory and after a while...
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Dec 11, 2024, 4:52 PM
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I am nervous because all the research I read seems so jumbled now since there were about 100 sources. I reread a lot of stuff this morning; I think I'll be ok.
Thank you for the kind words!
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Hall of Famer [9059]
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Re: Set to defend my dissertation tomorrow morning. Nervous and excited.
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Dec 11, 2024, 4:48 PM
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If you need inspiration, just rely on all your positive thoughts about Dabo! Just don't overuse "at the end of the day."
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Ring of Honor [21375]
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I do have a lot of positive thoughts about Dabo even though you jest.***
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Dec 11, 2024, 4:52 PM
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Top TigerNet [32036]
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Congratulations in Advance, PBT!!
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Dec 11, 2024, 4:49 PM
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You will absolutely do great tomorrow, my friend!!
I defended many years ago. I practiced it and practiced it and practiced it until I could say the entire presentation smoothly without needing my notes. Knowing the presentation so well was a comfort for me.
My committee members knew the literature, but I knew MY material better than the committee members. Knowing that was also a comfort.
At one point in my presentation, my committee members began discussing a point between themselves. I absolutely shut up and let them talk. That turned out to be a good strategy. They took so much time discussing their own points with each other, that when they were done they were sort of ready for me to finish up and move on.
All in all, know that you are prepared. Then go out and have fun with it!! After tomorrow you will never have to do it again!!
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Ring of Honor [21375]
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Hey man, you've always been such a cool poster.
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Dec 11, 2024, 4:54 PM
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What you've said inspires me. I really appreciate the thoughtful post. I have went over my ppt about 100 times today. I will do another 100 tomorrow =).
Thanks again!
Brian
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Clemson Icon [27350]
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Cant give you first hand information.
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Dec 11, 2024, 4:53 PM
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But, here is some advise I've heard from others through the years.
Listen to the question and answer the question. Don't go off on tangents answering questions not asked.
Listen to the question carefully. Take a deep breath and think for at least two or three seconds before answering.
Make sure you understand the question. Don't be afraid to repeat the question back to them. "If I understand you correctly you are asking me __________ . Is that correct?"
Remember, you know more about your dissertation than they know. Don't try to dazzle them with your brilliance, just humbly and confidently convince them you know what your dissertation says.
*********
Those are the things I recall from people in your situation, or very similar, through the years. (The closest I ever got to that was an oral exam for my Masters degree where there were no restrictions on the questions, and oral interviews when I was being recruited to be a Naval Nuclear Power School Instructor and was interviewed 1-on-1 by engineers on Admiral Rickover's staff before having a 1-on-12 interview with him.)
What field is your dissertation in?
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Ring of Honor [21375]
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Re: Cant give you first hand information.
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Dec 11, 2024, 4:57 PM
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Thank you, Brett! Also, good advice for job interviews, which I am going through currently, too.
My dissertation is on factors that impact teacher retention at international schools: leadership, profession development, and teacher satisfaction.
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Orange Blooded [2461]
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Re: Set to defend my dissertation tomorrow morning. Nervous and excited.
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Dec 11, 2024, 4:58 PM
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Not a dissertation, but I defended a masters thesis at Clemson 32 years ago. I don't remember enough about it to give advice. However... do you know what it fells like after you leave a really loud rock concert? Everything seems quiet, as if you are under water. In fact, you almost feel sort of sensory deprived. That is EXACTLY how I felt as I sat there on my couch after my defense. Almost stunned - a calm, quiet satisfaction at the end of a long odyssey. "Wow. It's over" - not in bolt type, not in caps, not with an explanation point. Just "over." I was finally at a point in my life when I was finished with school. I will never forget that moment.
Enjoy your moment.
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Ring of Honor [21375]
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Re: Set to defend my dissertation tomorrow morning. Nervous and excited.
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Dec 11, 2024, 5:15 PM
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Thank you so much for sharing. I can't wait for that feeling. I am really ready for this to be over.
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Tiger Spirit [9439]
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Re: Set to defend my dissertation tomorrow morning. Nervous and excited.
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Dec 11, 2024, 5:32 PM
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Just remember you’re probably talking to a bunch of liberals who have never done anything, and they’ll believe whatever you tell them.
That should take the pressure off.
Enjoy.
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Gridiron Giant [15979]
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Is there not a my time of the month board for this?***
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Dec 11, 2024, 5:56 PM
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Associate AD [1067]
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my advice
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Dec 11, 2024, 6:13 PM
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1. You know more about your work than they do.
2. When I had mine, I set aside 10 minutes before it started and imagined all of the faculty being naked -- I was the only one dressed. Caveat: I got a giggling fit when I started and had to ask for a 5 minute break to compose myself.
Good luck.
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Ring of Honor [21375]
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Hahahahahah***
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Dec 11, 2024, 6:22 PM
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Solid Orange [1358]
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Re: Set to defend my dissertation tomorrow morning. Nervous and excited.
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Dec 11, 2024, 6:15 PM
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I had a friend who was giving a presentation of his graduate research work at a symposium who was very nervous. His advisor told him to relax, that he new more about his research subject than anyone in the room. It worked.
I would speculate that you know more about your work/dissertation than anyone on the review board. Just relax and go get it!
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Rival Killer [∞]
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Re: Set to defend my dissertation tomorrow morning. Nervous and excited.
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Dec 11, 2024, 6:16 PM
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Best of luck!!!
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National Champion [7253]
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Re: Set to defend my dissertation tomorrow morning. Nervous and excited.
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Dec 11, 2024, 6:20 PM
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Defended mine 3 years ago.
You’ll do fine. At this point no one is a bigger SME than you on your subject matter.
Don’t get bogged down too much in the quantitative and qualitative data and lose sight of the big picture. That almost happened to me.
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Ring of Honor [21375]
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Good advice. I am trying not too. It's hard.***
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Dec 11, 2024, 6:41 PM
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Game Day Hero [4134]
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Re: Set to defend my dissertation tomorrow morning. Nervous and excited.
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Dec 11, 2024, 6:52 PM
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I had a PhD student defend this week. What a special moment.
Enjoy it! You know the material better than anyone. You put in the work, now it is time to tell your story.
Best wishes!
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Heisman Winner [80022]
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Don't have any advice, but I was the 10th TU, to get you a coveted TNET
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Dec 11, 2024, 6:54 PM
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Quality Content Award to send you on your way. That's GOT to be a good Oh Man.
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Ring of Honor [21375]
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Thank you doctor!***
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Dec 11, 2024, 7:57 PM
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Clemson Sports Icon [57390]
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Re: Set to defend my dissertation tomorrow morning. Nervous and excited.
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Dec 11, 2024, 7:03 PM
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Speed...
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Rival Killer [3034]
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Re: Set to defend my dissertation tomorrow morning. Nervous and excited.
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Dec 11, 2024, 7:09 PM
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Just remember that you know more about your specific subject than anyone on your committee. Be the ball, Danny
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Ring of Honor [21375]
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Nice! Loved Danny!***
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Dec 11, 2024, 7:30 PM
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Mascot [24]
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Re: Set to defend my dissertation tomorrow morning. Nervous and excited.
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Dec 11, 2024, 7:31 PM
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First, let me say congratulations. Just to be in the position you're in is a huge personal and professional accomplishment. Tomorrow should be nothing more than a day of acknowledging and celebrating all of your hard work.
A few things to remember:
- You've already been scrutinized by your own advisor as to whether you've done enough, and you wouldn't be defending tomorrow if he weren't confident of your success. He doesn't want to invite his fellow faculty members to see his student not succeed. On top of that,...
- Your committee wants you to succeed, also. Unless you've gotten in a fight with some of them, which I doubt you have, your committee members should have at least looked over your dissertation and be aware of all the hard work you've done. They're not out to get you, and should give you the benefit of the doubt, which also means...
- You don't have to be perfect tomorrow. Nothing you say live tomorrow can change the text and figures already in your dissertation, which is the actual published document in the end. At my defense in wireless communications, I misspoke and gave the wrong value for the speed of light (one of the most fundamental things I shouldn't have gotten wrong) and the committee let it slide and just asked me about it in the end in a fairly relaxed manner. Anyone can make mistakes in the moment and that's ok. And, most likely, if you do make a mistake, it'll go unnoticed because...
- No one knows your work anywhere near as well as you do. But just in case someone does question something, ...
- Stay humble and don't argue. Sure, there may be a flaw here or there in how you approached certain things and that's ok. I once sat through a masters defense where the defendant argued with the committee about something where the committee was clearly correct. He could have just acknowledged that they have made a good point and moved on. Instead, it was really awkward for everyone...yet, even so he still passed. Of course, if the committee misunderstood something you said, there's nothing wrong with correcting their understanding.
I hope that's encouraging. Looking forward to hearing about how it went tomorrow!
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Walk-On [78]
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Re: Set to defend my dissertation tomorrow morning. Nervous and excited.
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Dec 11, 2024, 7:33 PM
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I wouldn’t be on Tigernet soliciting advice in advance for something so important to me. I would focus on the task ahead, prepare, avoid alcohol or drugs to sharpen my focus, rest well the night before, and say a small prayer asking for my best self to come forward the day of it.
I hate that it’s Zoom. It’s more personal when it’s direct. Good luck to you.
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Game Changer [1891]
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Re: Set to defend my dissertation tomorrow morning. Nervous and excited.
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Dec 11, 2024, 7:33 PM
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Brett,
I have not defended. That said my older sister and younger brother have. My sister failed miserably on her first attempt. The pain was real. Our fathers advise to her going forward was to “tell them what they want to hear not what you want them to know “ keep in mind you know your material better than they do. However, they know more than you, just ask them.
As for my younger brother, he like you was concerned about defending his paper. I share our fathers advise with him and he sailed through.
Best of luck, thoughts and prayers with you.
Hope this helps!
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Walk-On [78]
TigerPulse: 91%
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Re: Set to defend my dissertation tomorrow morning. Nervous and excited.
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Dec 11, 2024, 7:36 PM
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I wouldn’t be on Tigernet soliciting advice in advance for something so important to me. I would focus on the task ahead, prepare, avoid alcohol or drugs to sharpen my focus, rest well the night before, and say a small prayer asking for my best self to come forward the day of it.
I hate that it’s Zoom. It’s more personal when it’s direct. Good luck to you.
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Game Day Hero [4223]
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Re: Set to defend my dissertation tomorrow morning. Nervous and excited.
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Dec 11, 2024, 7:59 PM
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Be the expert…you will be fine
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Asst Coach [804]
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Re: Set to defend my dissertation tomorrow morning. Nervous and excited.
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Dec 11, 2024, 8:07 PM
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At this point you should know the material better than anyone in the room. So relax and tell the story of your work…you got this.
I see comments from CBProf….i agree 100%. Let them talk. Listen VERY carefully to what is said to determine IF there was a question asked, and only answer that question. Don’t offer anything more, and be succinct
That last bit applies to everything, not just a PhD defense.
But it really applies to a PhD defense!
Best of luck!
And GO TIGERS!!!
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Replies: 40
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