Perspective on my PhD Defence
Author: Dr. Sandhya Narikuzhy
A finished thesis is a good enough thesis. Read that again. A finished thesis is a good enough thesis.
Many of us in academia strive for perfection. We want to produce high-quality, high-impact work that contributes to our field of interest. However, this mindset can also lead to a lot of pressure, self-doubt, and, for me at least, anxiety. Here’s the thing: if you have survived this far in your doctoral degree, you are perhaps the only one who is truly an expert on your specific topic. You have already passed the hurdles of recruiting participants, setting up your experiment, navigating ethics, and devising answers on the fly to tricky questions at conferences. No one else can do that. The start of preparing for a successful defence requires reflection, acceptance, and belief that you have made it this far because you can and will show that you are the expert.
Preparation for a defence can be scary. I mean, let’s face it. This is your big moment, the one that you’ve been waiting for all along. It can feel like this moment is the defining moment in your career. The truth is, though, it’s not. Consider this: Is there a single defining moment in one’s career? Or is it an accumulation of multiple different events? The way I see it, it is the doctoral journey (the wins, the mistakes, and the relationships you formed) that shapes your career. Regardless of whether you decide to stay in academia, it is how you decide to respond to your successes, failures, and hardships that shape your path. Adopting this mindset can lessen the pressure of viewing your defence as “THE MOMENT”. The intention here is not to minimize this milestone at all, but rather to provide an alternative perspective of how you can perceive this moment. Think of your defence as your opportunity to showcase what you have learned and why what you have learned is important. This is your time to share what you know sort of like a more adult or academic version of show and tell.
There are plenty of other tips and tricks that I highly recommend leading up to your defence, like drinking plenty of water, eating well, getting good sleep, time management, and surrounding yourself with a supportive village. For me, these were all integral to my defence preparation. Additionally, I strongly encourage folks to plan several mock defences with individuals from various backgrounds, including labmates, friends, and family. The more perspectives, the better! Plus, you’ll feel more confident the more practice you have with answering questions.
Take frequent breaks. This allows for your mind to rest and recharge as this will help you to think the most clearly. Whenever you find yourself stressed, you can opt for a walk outdoors or call a friend. Try to ground yourself in the present moment by practicing mindfulness and grounding techniques (such as box breathing and the 5-4-3-2-1 technique). It takes time to calm the nerves, and that’s okay. Remind yourself that this is a very common experience amongst most PhD candidates.
A successful defence is one you show up for. Show up confident, feel proud, and have fun. You’ve made it this far, and that in itself is a major achievement. Congratulations on reaching this stage of your journey.