What I wish I could tell my pre - PhD -Defense Self

M.D. Fariñas viva (Madrid, 2016)

At this time one year ago, I was right in the same place as I am now: in front of this computer, at work, and procrastinating….though, as is always the case, I should have been writing. So, what’s changed? The main differences are that I’m one year older (but you couldn’t tell it, people think I’m younger now for some reason — maybe the sneakers I always wear?) and I have a Ph.D. (that, to be fair, I’ve only used the ‘Dr.’ so far in a British Airways’ boarding pass).

If I had the chance to chat with my past self but, you know, like in these popular blog posts with titles as: “What I wish I could tell my 20-Year-Old Self”, I would share the following tips. I hope they can advise you, since I missed the opportunity! ;) :

1. While the university paperwork feels like it won’t come through on time for your defense… It’ll be fine! (But you’ll get your notification a mere 4 days prior to the defense… try to keep your heart beat as regular as possible while waiting).
2. The PhD Defense — or viva — is one of the most important moments of your life — but it’s not the case for everybody! For some, it’s just another run of the mill, average day. And people who don’t care about doing their jobs well will continue not to do their jobs well. Someone may even lose your PhD certificate after your defense (for real!) and you won’t be able to complete all the necessary economic justifications for the university. You’ll be livid at the time — but you’ll get over it. I promise. So don’t worry about it now.
3. Remember all those colleagues who said: “No one in the defense room know more about what you have done than you. Don’t worry.”. Well, it is actually true. But I know that you do not believe me, because we’re the same person and I’m one year older so… nothing new under the sun (sighs).
4. A few days before the defense, try not to focus on things that will come afterwards. Put yourself in your zen yoga mind and live in the present. For example, don’t waste energy on finding a good accommodation in the Boston Area for your Harvard postdoc experience. Your room will suck anyway, and be terribly overpriced! (as per usual)
5. Don’t freak out now but… You need to know that the president on your committee will come 2 hours late for the defense: Stay strong because this will be a very good anecdote with time. (from months to years later, of course — not while you are defending!).
6. Be grateful to the ones that have helped you in multiple ways during this path so: write the damn acknowledgments lines, girl! These acknowledgments may be the first draft for my eventual Oscar acceptance speech (yeah, I want an Oscar more than a Nobel prize).
7. Focus on the time you have for the whole defense and try to give an overall of your work during these years but avoid underestimate the complexity of your research because of the mandatory overview: You have worked hard, you’ll do it great!
8. People on the committee will ask questions…pretty much only about their line of work, not about yours. This is difficult because they know a lot about what they do, but not so much about what you’ve done. Let them talk (even when they speak about unrelated stuff) and try to make them feel comfortable during the answer. This is a good life skill. Plus, they usually come to help… and also you don’t know when or where you’ll meet again!
9. People who put too much in value big names, institutions, etc. usually don’t have a clue: don’t be pretentious to committee!
10. Passing the defense and getting your Ph.D. won’t actually make you smarter, but it’ll show that you can accomplish big challenges in life: don’t forget it! (Actually, this message suites better for me right now than for myself a year ago, I guess).

That’s it! You’re ready: take a deep breath and put an end to this once and for all!