Why is everybody so afraid of their dissertation committees? What makes them so scary?
 
The process of defense in front of the dissertation committee is compared to the defense of a guilty person in front of the jury in the court. Guys, relax!!! Those people who are sitting in the dissertation committee are people like us, who have their own ups and downs.
 
How to Impress Your Dissertation Committee?
 
Some people say that they do not need preparations - this is nonsense. The first advice to you is to prepare for your presentation in front of the dissertation committee. In order to sound confident and knowledgeable, you should review your proposal or final draft, read some extra materials on the issue, practice your speech in front of the looking glass.
 
The second advice gives an answer to the question stated above: you have to be ready for anything- any type of questions, any comment, and any arguments. Keep in mind that your dissertation committee is there to help you learn, so if they start a discussion with you, this does not mean a failure of the defense process. Do not hesitate to speak out and say what you think on the issue you are studying- this is what your dissertation committee expects you to do. They want you to impress them, they want to challenge you and they want you to win.
 
The third advice for you is to be in the right mood, in the right clothes. You should emit energy and enthusiasm, confidence and understanding, persuading your dissertation committee in your excellence.
 
When you realize that your dissertation committee consists of your friends, not enemies, you will change your opinion about the process of defense.