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How to stay calm for your PhD defence

Quiet Mornings with a Tea

Congratulations! You have made it!

After an endless number of hours spent at the library, never-ending data collection and data analysis, and an exhausting writing-up period, you have submitted your thesis. However, there is just one final push – your PhD defence. Some call it a ‘viva’, but you better than anyone else know that it is going to be a ‘defence’ – you will fight against anything and anyone to finally put that ‘Dr’ in front of your name!

Your defence is the highlight of your doctoral journey and a moment you will remember (joyfully or painfully) for quite a long time. It will hold a special place in your memories – after all, it represents years of personal dedication, hard work, intellectual stimulation, and knowledge enhancement. As a recent study has highlighted, it could also be a nerve-wracking experience, full of anxiety, self-doubt, stress and a rollercoaster of emotions. The key to overcome all these often lies in how prepared you are, both academically and emotionally. Here are some practical tips about how to be calp, maintain a confident mindset and deliver a very strong performance during your PhD defence.

Be ready to discuss your research and answer all kinds of questions

For a start, you need to be on top of your work. After years of preparation, you finally have the chance to show what you did, how and why. And demonstrate your competencies, capabilities and skills as a researcher. The main purpose of the PhD defence is for you to share more about your research, why it is important, what methods you have used and how useful (and for whom) the findings are. The key to success here is to stay focused – know your core arguments, be ready to explain and justify your methodology, and discuss your findings. Based on my experience as an external and internal examiner, most students stress about the questions raised by the externals. In order to avoid any unnecessary stress, it is a good idea to anticipate some questions and consider how you can best respond to them. In addition, having a rehearsal or mock viva with your supervisors could also help you release your stress and prepare you (both intellectually and emotionally) for what is about to come. Public speaking is a very valuable skill, and you should practice this as much as you can before the defence. Attending informal gatherings, student events, and even conferences will provide you with opportunities to discuss your work in front of an audience, and you will be able to respond to some questions you may face during the defence.

Change your mindset: It is not an exam but a scholarly discussion

Many PhD candidates suffer a lot emotionally before, during and even after the PhD defence. To a large extent, this is a result of the expectation that you are going to be ‘grilled’ and ‘interrogated’. Although this is not untrue (!), it depends on your own perspective about the (1) purpose of the defence, (2) the role of your examiners, and (3) how you feel about yourself and your own work. Firstly, a PhD defence is not an interrogation nor an exam in which you will be asked to prove or validate your work. Instead, it is a scholarly discussion between experts. And yes, you are one of them, and it is possible to have a good experience! You and your examiners will be part of a high-level intellectual discussion which will be focused on your research and your findings. Both parties have a mutual interest – you want to present what you have done, and they want to hear more about it! Secondly, your examiners are not there to fail you. Their role is to provide constructive feedback, ask questions so they can learn more about your work, and even discuss the next steps (such as suitable journals to publish your research or suggestions about writing a monograph). What many PhD candidates tend to forget is that your examiners are also there NOT to see what you know about the subject of your research, but they want to hear how you think, analyse, etc. Thirdly, it is essential for you be confident in your research and your skills. The PhD defence is a crucial event, a completion of your years of hard work, and you should remain calm and open to discuss it freely. It is perfectly normal not to know everything and perhaps not been able to answer a question or two. Just acknowledge the fact that you may not have considered those perspectives, share your challenges and discuss your thoughts – after all, no research is perfect. Maintaining a positive and confident attitude is the key for a successful defence.

The practical stuff

Getting ready to present your work and maintaining a confident mindset are crucial for your successful defence. However, there is a number of little, more practical things you should consider before the big day. It is essential to invest in your well-being in the days before the defence. For example, make sure you have enough sleep and eat healthy meals to maintain your energy levels and fight anxiety. Equally important is to stay hydrated, consume less or not caffeine, and exercise regularly. Your PhD defence is also a mentally exhausting exercise, and you will need to prepare thoroughly for it. Another important consideration is to plan the day and prepare the setting. A typical defence can last long hours. So, arrive early, ensure you are comfortable with the room and set-up, check all necessary materials (e.g laptop, notes, visual aids), prepare any notes or handouts, etc.

Conclusion

Maintaining your confidence and controlling your emotions are critically important for your PhD defence. Staying calm and be ready requires a combination of preparation, confidence, a positive mindset and self-care. By embracing the experience, believing in your abilities, and maintaining composure, you will be able to present your research with confidence. Remember, this is your moment – your defence is not an exam; it is a celebration of your hard work and achievements, a celebration of your intellectual growth. Be proud of your work, engage in meaningful discussions and enjoy it!

Your PhD Viva and How to Prepare

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Dr Nick Naumov

Dr Nick Naumov is an active researcher, consultant and higher education practitioner with 10+ years of experience, having delivered courses and workshops in UK, France, Germany, Spain, India, Japan and UAE. He holds a PhD in Human Geography along with undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in International Tourism, Tourism Economics and Hospitality Management. He is a Senior Fellow of Higher Education Academy.

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