At the end of this month, I will formally defend my dissertation. A dissertation defense is one of the last steppingstones towards a PhD. The American Studies PhD program at Harvard University calls this event a “Dissertation Review”. The review is an opportunity for committee members to ask specific questions, discuss a dissertation’s strengths, and offer feedback on what the doctoral candidate can improve prior to the dissertation’s official submission.

The review is expected to last an hour and a half. First, I will offer my committee an overview of my dissertation’s thesis, method, argument, and key findings. I will also share my project’s contribution to scholarship. And, before engaging in a conversation with my advisors, I will ask for specific feedback. 

I am currently doing my best to stay focused as I both revise my dissertation draft and prepare for the important day! I spend most of my work day switching between my dissertation document and a script of my defense presentation. Part of me can’t believe I’m at this stage of the PhD and another part of me is very much aware of what being at this stage requires: intense focus, self-compassion, and faith.

I want to focus on constructive thoughts during this process. So, I will turn to the following affirmations for encouragement. I hope you also find these affirmations helpful when you get ready to defend your dissertation! 

Dissertation Defense Affirmations

• I feel clear, energized, and fulfilled by the work I put into my dissertation
  

• I am prepared and excited for my dissertation defense
  

• I understand that the defense is a meaningful opportunity to share the importance of my project with my advisors, who really care about my work
  

• The defense review has high vibrations—my advisors and I connect with positive, supportive energy
  

• My advisors believe in my ability to do my best; their feedback is meant to help and serve the vision of my work
  

• The dissertation defense is a chance to engage with my advisors in one *virtual* space and I cherish this beautiful and rare opportunity to connect with all of them at once
  

• During my defense, I am confident and grounded
  

• I consider myself capable of articulating the significance of all of the hard work that has led to this moment
  

• I am in harmony with my life’s purpose and this sense of alignment manifests during my presentation
  

• I am encouraged by my loved ones
  

• I do my best and my best is enough
  

• During my defense, I honor everything and everyone involved in my project’s creation
  

• I am at peace with everything that I know, and I gracefully acknowledge all that I do not know, and all that there is left to do to fulfill my project’s potential
  

• I view the dissertation defense as a necessary conversation, during which I am in dialogue with past and future generations
  

• I enjoy the time spent sharing my ideas and engaging with feedback
  

• I insist on joy in the process of this review
  

• I remember to embrace the present moment with faith in a positive outcome