So I'm defending my Master's thesis this Friday.....

and I'm so nervous, that I'm going to the bathroom at about twice the normal amount. Everytime I think about it, I get butterflies.

Anyways, I just wanted to start a discussion about defenses. Have you ever defended? Did you get asked tough questions? What was it like? How did you feel afterwards?

I've written a good thesis (I think). For an MSc, my advisor says its a great piece of work. And I'm also a pretty good presenter. But I have an EXTREMELY bad memory, and I hate Oral examinations, because I need time to sit and think. So yeah, I'm pretty concerned.

Thanks for your response!

talking about because you put so much energy and thought into what you write that the second they open their mouth you see where they're going.

And my topic is kind of complex. There is just SO MANY damn things they could ask me...from the basics to the very specific. And its hard as hell keeping it all in my head.

My advisor is convinced I will be alright, but I'm freakin out.

It'll be good. Just do some causual review over the next 2 days.

Good luck! I'm sure you will do well. :) So far I've only had to present my Senior Paper for my Bachelor's degree, so I'm nervous about a Master's thesis, and I haven't started grad school yet!

:hug:

Grad school is A LOT different than undergrad, I'd have to say. Its harder, easier, more relaxad, and more hectic than a bachelor's :).

I don't know whether to be relieved or scared.... :scared:

:hug: They ain't easy, but you have to remember that when it comes to the subject of your thesis, you're the expert in the room.

Don't let things distract you. I got wrapped up in trying to find out trivia for my Master's, because I had heard stories about how committee members will often ask complete bullshit questions just to fluster students. Stay on target - the subject is your education, and your thesis. Focus on that.

I appreciate it. Its true, I suppose, that I am the "expert"...but that just means I take a lot of what I know for granted. I guess I'm just having a tough time thinking about what my committee is going to ask me.

It's just all extremely nerve whracking.

I defended April last year. Just remember that it's really not a defense but more of a Q&A on your work. Just remember - don't be defensive at your defense, thank the prof's when they offer suggestions for improvement, and dress professionally. You will do FINE.

Good luck! :hi:

I just keep thinking to myself "Saturday has to come, Saturday has to come". I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL SATURDAY. I'm sure i'll be okay (okay, maybe not sure...more like hopeful). My friends tell me that the defense is just a formality, and at this point, even if I fucked up, they will still pass me. Doesn't help my anxiety though.....

Because your thesis adviser would not permit this to happen if he/she didn't think you were ready.

You're nervous, though, because it's something you haven't done before. :)

made us defend our work (practice, I suppose). I thought I had done poorly....I felt retarded, only being able to answer MAYBE 75% of the questions posed to me.

Then my committee told me that it was a First Grade defense..I did very well. I was blown away.

The thing is, the expectations are a lot higher now......

I'm sure this one will go as well. :)

First of all, CONGRATS!!!!!

:hug:

Second: Your chair/advisor would not be letting you defend if they were not sure you would pass.

Third: Remember, you are the WORLD'S EXPERT on the subject you have written about. YOU KNOW MORE than the committee does! If they ask you a question that you can't answer, just state, "Thank you for bringing that to my attention, that is outside the scope of this particular project, but would be interesting to address in the future." Or something to that effect.

My defense was something of a nightmare. I'm not telling you this to scare you, but to be prepared in case something does go screwy. One of my committee members did not bother to read the thesis until the last minute. SHE was ill-prepared for the defense, and asked a bunch of non-sensical questions that everyone, including my chair, could not make sense of. I repeatedly told her I didn't understand what she was asking. I really started to panic, but my chair stepped in and put a stop to it. That is what the chair/advisor is for, to be your advocate. If your chair is behind you, you are fine.

Just keep rehearsing your presentation. Deliver it out loud over and over again. If there is a place where you keep stumbling on the words, try re-wording it. If you are well rehearsed, a sense of calm will come over you once you begin the real thing.

If you "nail" the presentation, you will feel more confident facing the questions.

Good luck!!

And remember, your advisor would not let you do this if they were not confident in you, so have confidence in yourself!!!!

:hug:

on edit: if it helps, don't be ashamed to take a variety of stomach remedies beforehand. I have a very nervous stomach, and I made SURE it was not going to give me trouble that day!!

Remember to breath. :)