The Challenge of Waiting to Discuss Your PhD Thesis
By: Lect. Sameerah Atshan AlFayyadh
It Can be a nerve-wracking experience — it’s that strange in-between where you’ve done the hard work, but the final hurdle looms large, it is a big challenge to wait the day when to discuss you PhD thesis. The challenges and fear you’re feeling are completely valid and actually pretty common among doctoral candidates. Here’s a breakdown of what you might be going through — and how to navigate it.
The Challenges of Waiting are many. In a nut shell, they are: a)-Uncertainty,
You don’t know what questions will come up, how tough the examiners will be, or how your work will be received. That unpredictability can make even the most prepared person anxious. b)-Overthinking:
With time to spare, it’s easy to start second-guessing your entire thesis: “Did I explain that theory well enough?”, “What if I missed something obvious?” These thoughts often spiral without real cause. c)-Emotional Fatigue: A PhD is a long, exhausting journey. By the time you get to the final discussion, you might be running low on emotional energy — just when you need it most. d)- Isolation: Not everyone understands what it feels like to be in this specific academic limbo, which can make the waiting period feel even lonelier. e)-The Fear Factor:
Fear of Being Judged: You’ve poured years into this project — of course it feels deeply personal. Fear of critique is natural when your work is so tied to your identity.
Fear of Failure: Even if it’s unlikely, the “what if I fail?” question can hang over your head.
Fear of Not Measuring Up: You might wonder if your work is enough — enough originality, enough depth, enough impact.
