Need Support....Defending Dissertation

[CrunchyMomto3]

Hi Fellow Student Mamas!

I don't post in this area much, but I do lurk.

I am stressed. I defend my dissertation next week. Tell me I can do it. Tell me I'll do fine. Tell me it's almost over. Just tell me something positive. I'm scared.

This is my second terminal degree, so I've defended before, but never with having 3 young children under foot. ACH!

[DariusMom]

Congrats on your upcoming defense!

you can do it!

You are the expert in the field. you *know* this topic better than anyone sitting on your committee. They want you to succeed. They may want to poke and prod a bit, but everyone there is, by the point you defend, invested in seeing you succeed.

Also, it's ok to say you don't know, but then go on to answer (at length) what you do know.

you'll be fine. re-read your dissertation, have a glass of wine, see if someone else can look after the kiddos a bit, and try to view it as a chance to have a nice discussion with knowledgeable people about a topic of great interest to you. View it as though they are there to help you clarify ideas and give critique for your published version of the diss.

you'll be fine. update us, please!

[dawningmama]

You can so do this!!! You will rock the whole deal!! You made people for goodness sake, you can do anything!!

Let us know how it all goes!

phew, that was a lot of exclamation points for a Saturday morning. I need a nap now.

[EVC]

You are so READY for this! You have been preparing for this moment for YEARS! You are going knock their socks off!

[Realrellim]

They don't let you defend unless you're ready to defend. So everything is already in your favor. Go in and be the expert you are, and you will be awesome.

[lolar2]

Good luck! I'm sure you'll do great!

[~pi]

You can do this. Everyone (including your committee!) wants you to succeed. You may feel nervous, but you are more prepared than you think you are. Best of luck!!

[DariusMom]

just coming back to add that I didn't see when i posted my first response that you were the mom of *triplets*!!! If you're the mom of triplets, a dissertation defense should be a breeze!

Stay calm and focused and update us!

[readytobedone]

Originally Posted by dawningmama

You made people for goodness sake, you can do anything!!

laughuplaughuplaughup



i LOVE this! i might steal this to post in my "work" area. i'm writing my dissertation these days. :

[wetcement101]

Just imagine them naked. And think about your next program!

[slsurface]

You rock! :: Congratulations!

I hope to be joining you soon! My defense probably won't happen until May though...

[Carita]

I have defended an undergrad thesis and a master's thesis, and then have to think about PhD. Well - Here's one piece of advice. The better your actual presentation goes, the better the whole defense will go. Know about everything you have written... some things early on you may forget, but I would review those things. Plan your defense time conveniently before lunch so they will not drill you for hours on end...

and you will do fine!!!!!!! relax - you can do anything!!!!

[CrunchyMomto3]

Thanks for the support!! :

I'm DONE!! I NAILED IT!!

WooHoo!!!!!!

[rcr]

Congratulations DR!

[~pi]

Hooray!!! CONGRATS!!! :::

[maddymama]

Congratulations!!! I'm so proud of you!!!!!!!!!

~maddymama

[DariusMom]

congrats Dr. Crunchy!!!!

:::

[AndVeeGeeMakes3]

Originally Posted by CrunchyMomto3

Thanks for the support!! :

I'm DONE!! I NAILED IT!!

WooHoo!!!!!!

: :

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!

[nabigus]

Congratulations! Rock on!

[mushka3000]

Congratulations!