The Perfect Defense: The Oral Defense of a Dissertation

Dr. Valerie Balester of Texas A&M University talks about how to prepare and what to expect when defending your dissertation.
#tamu #Dissertation #Defense
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[@RobbinJane]

I'm defending this upcoming Wednesday, July 26th, 2023 at 12pm. I am feeling very anxious, but this video helped me to have a fresh new perspective on what to expect in the next days. UPDATE: I succesfully defended my dissertation yesterday! I'm oficially a Dr!

[@lupinthe4th400]

Way to go! Congratulations. How was it?

[@matthewlo55]

BEHAVIOUR CHANGE TIME MATE

[@RobbinJane]

@@lupinthe4th400 it went sooo well! I presented for an hour, then the audience had to go outside and the committee asked questions for a full hour. They were all mostly discussion questions, what are you doing with this, what you feel was your biggest impact, how you wouldve changed some of the experiments, if you look bag what you wouldve done differently etc.

[@c.1210]

Congrats on your great achievement! @@RobbinJane

[@unruly_ronin]

Hey that was my birthday. Congrats Mr/Miss Doctor

[@stevenoevans]

This has to be THE greatest video to watch before you defend your dissertation. No joke, I probably watched it 50 times before mine. My committee told me it was one of the best defenses they have ever seen. She is dead on what to do and say. Three cheers for posting it!

[@linoshkurdi]

Hello i need your experinces about research

[@alphonsekagenzi5900]

Steven Evans can you share your defense with me if possible? Thank you

[@pilot_yogi9785]

So are you Dr. Evans now? It's been 5 years, what are you up to now? Teaching? University? Do you feel that getting a doctorate helped you in your career?

[@jeanclaude3285]

please send me some videos; I'm in preparation of defence

[@jeanclaude3285]

please send me some videos; I'm in preparation of defence

[@Monamie44]

My defense is in 48 hours. This video is 12 years old and still extremely helpful. How come things haven't changed since then?!

[@jarrodhumphrey9350]

Did you pass my friend?

[@Monamie44]

@@jarrodhumphrey9350 I passeddddd :) Thank you for asking :))

[@aphrojitex8972]

How did it go?

[@Monamie44]

@@aphrojitex8972 it went well thank you :)

[@AicimounLight]

Shut she is a busy professor now, she doesn't have time for KZbin. Congrats 🎉👏😊

[@sourojeet]

I passed my Ph.D. defense today in chemical engineering, at the University of Toronto. I used several of the concepts mentioned in this video. Huge thanks to Dr. Balester for these extremely practical tips. 😊❤

[@djmartian7171]

congratz Dr!

[@sourojeet]

@@djmartian7171 thank you 😊 your comment made my day!

[@nwakaego]

Congrats Dr.

[@sourojeet]

@@nwakaego thank you 😊

[@nwakaego]

I have my defense tomorrow 14th March 2024 at noon... I woke up today a bag of nerves , however watching this video has calmed my nerves and changed my perspective. Thank you Dr. Valeria Balester.... @RobbinJane and others, congratulations

[@vorieandvories2875]

Ace it!

[@benstyrax]

How did it go?..

[@lajustice32]

On Monday, April 3, 2023, I praise God that I successfully defended my dissertation. I want to say thank you to Dr. Balester for this video. This was one of the greatest videos to prepare me for my defense. I would say look view it several times as part of your preparation. Again, thank you Dr. Balester.

[@leveragees]

Amen!!!

[@madraun]

the date’s passed, how’d it go?

[@bishopcorlettajvaughn352]

My defense is in six hours, and I am reviewing your video for the 20th time Thank you for clarity and building my confidence all the more.

[@amandaussene6938]

Defended my paper yesterday (27/06/2022), I passed and this video helped me so much. Thank you Dr. Valerie Balester.

[@HanaElghoul]

Having watched this, I believe I am ready to defend my thesis just 18 hours ahead!

[@exorcist1701]

how was your defense?

[@TheTerryd5150]

Did you make it?

[@LT-zi4pz]

How did it go?

[@donl3500]

you won?

[@Vesemir668]

4 years since and we have no answer :(

[@DrHeatherBody]

As I prepare to defend my dissertation next week, I found this video to be helpful, encouraging, and succinct. In my process of earning my Ph.D., I have had little guidance on how to defend my work (let alone how to write the chapters of the dissertation). As you know if you're going through this process, it is a unique and steep learning curve. Without educators like Dr. Valerie Balester who help make transparent the idiosyncrasies of this arduous process on the web, I would not be defending next week. Thank you Dr. Balester for your kindness!

[@Bumbaclartios]

how’d it go dude!!

[@zabiullahMONTAGES]

This is like a generated chatgpt text but it didnt exist back then

[@Zuvie77]

I can not thank You enough for this video. I went to my defense presentation and was so excited to present my research. My nervousness turned to enthusiasm and I had a easy breezy presentation for my masters defense. Thank you. Alhumdulilah⭐️ 10/10/2019 9a.m. 😁🙏💖

[@shadhenderson6000]

I would honestly pay for this advice. What a great speaker as well. Bravo Dr. Valerie!

[@karinaproano1856]

OMG!! I wasn't nervous until I heard this woman.... theres so much more that I need to check, and rehearse... My defense is next week, and my native language is spanish.... I'm freaking out... !!!

[@pilot_yogi9785]

Hey Karina! How did everything go? I see you posted this 5 years ago. Where are you now?

[@shichen3019]

same here...

[@TrishulRaj]

This is gold for Masters and PhD students. Thank you for this video.

[@ButterFlyWingsFly131]

I'm less than a week away from my defense.. I have to say that the most important thing I got out of this video is that this isn't a "grilling" but a conversation. Doing a scientific defense on something that hasn't been done before is terrifying but I feel more at peace with that fact. Thank you for this video! I wish everyone luck and strength for their defenses! You got this!!!!!

[@bojosigamontle2030]

Awesome presentation! It's been four years since I had my defense. My advice is, practice your slides to a point where you can go through the entire presentation without having to look at them.

[@williamsoo8500]

This video is underrated. I watched this video and it built my confidence. I slayed my thesis defense.

[@jesusretto5005]

Thank you Professor Valerie. The jury's demand was very strong, to the point of disconcerting me. But I got over the crisis. And in the end what you said happened: "Congratulations, you have passed, but it is recommended that you make adjustments to this" After a few hours of my dissertation, I remembered you and had the pleasure of seeing your video again. I am already from this day Doctor in Psychology. 😊

[@ChristianCaurla]

This woman is the ultimate rockstar. Career-saving advices. Thank you so much!!

[@zacharyw1558]

This video was posted 12 years ago but wil still help countless candiates for their big defences. You are truly a hero.

[@SujoyChakravarthi93]

Will come back to this in about a year or so - all the very best to everyone here preparing for their defense. You've done the hard work now go get that degree, Doctors of the Future! 👍🏼

[@alphamercury]

This video is so spot on. I defended my PhD two months ago and it went really well. Practicing and confidence are indeed so important. Thanks Valerie for the helpful tips!

[@nazerkebizhanova6649]

Love this. Just the first minute of the video and she already gave me reassurence. No one knows my PhD research better than me. All we need is preparation and enough confidence! Good luck everyone who wants to make through it!

[@apphero6560]

Watched this just one day before my PhD viva. Highly recommended, great tips and worth watching 22 min. Salute, Dr. Valerie Balester ! (You are a doctor and I'm a doctor too)

[@nuckythompson991]

Thank you! I found this a week before my defense and this saved me. Everything happened exactly as laid out - even down to having hard copies of my power point - we had a last minute room change and I used them! I was prepared. Thank you, Dr. Ballister. BTW, I passed (insert happy dance here)

[@hibiscusboy]

This video was informative and succinct. I especially appreciated Dr. Balester's reassuring message from start to finish! Thank you for posting this for the rest of the world to benefit. I'll be sure to review this video again before my actual defense.

[@brandonhamilton5040]

I experienced two (2) opportunities to defend doctoral degrees. I was not very well prepared for the first. As I listen to Dr. Balester, I was successful the second time around because I did many of the things she talks about in this video. Thanks for the walk down memory lane.

[@ibtissamrez7142]

Video downloaded in 2010, I'm watching it 10 years later and it still works. Thank you very much, I'm defending my dissertation tomorrow and I have watched it twice, noting every single piece of advice this doctor has provided. I assume she's a professor now. ❤️

[@sarasmith3772]

Hey how did it turn out? I’m defending next week ... I know I will do well , how were your nerves going that day?

[@lakrafihanane3661]

Hi every body :) my name is Hanane , I am a linguistics stream student, I have done my research about the use of ICT in English language teaching and learning. tomorrow I have my defense , I think I can do it for sure because Dr. Valerie makes me happy and motivates me so much. thanks soooo much I find this video very useful . thanks I will keep in my mind your advice and I will try to breath whenever I didn't find an answer. May Allah help me and all students. Regards.

[@shamsuddeen2004]

lakrafi hanane Ameeen

[@usynnstradler]

+lakrafi hanane did you pass then?

[@riverstiger1123]

Hi, +lakrafi hanane , may I know how was ur defense? I hope it was Ok. Is this video was really good and useful for u? thank u.

[@usynnstradler]

***** true, you need to put effort in the real world give your best effort then leave everything onto Allah and he will always do what's best for you - pass or fail

[@Honeyshak]

how did it go?

[@rahulchakraborty4770]

I just gave my Defense and it went very well and smooth. I sincerely want to thank Dr. Valerie for helping me and all of us through this video.

[@Historyforum7]

Congrats. Please, Which field?

[@Phsymphonic06]

Dr. Balester, THANK YOU, this video helped me pass my Ph.D. first defense today. It was direct, on point and my professors were extremely happy my information was concise and thorough. I will continue to use these methods again for my Final Defense. Thank you again.

[@vaishnaviv3049]

I express my deepest gratitude for uploading this video. I've been tired searching for an authentic source that can help me prepare for my defense and hopefully nail it. Thank you again! Bless your heart.

[@DY8272]

An outstanding presentation on how to prepare and present the dissertation. It is a MUST-see for all Ph.D. students in the defense process.

[@kosmik.thoughts]

I have my defense in a few days and I am thankful to Dr. Balester as she has discussed the intricacies of a defense so well that it would help each one of us preparing for that.... D-day.

[@jeffbarnett6158]

My defense is in less than 48 hours. Thank you Dr. Balester for easing my anxiety!

[@arianasblessedworld4411]

It really helps! I will defend next week (30 July 19). Thank you for posting this. I appreciate your thoughts and I bet they are helpful, Praise the Lord, God bless!

[@JS-up8oe]

Naveen Kumar Sowpati good luck

[@valraeboe7421]

Approved!!! Only minor changes needed before the committee signs off on it. So happy to have it behind me. You definitely need to prepare. I spent at least 3 full days just preparing for my defense.

[@Asciel]

I am basically dying of anxiety here and I am so thankful for this video because it has so far calmed me down the most.

[@brianclarke8335]

Great value, Valerie. For my PhD defence (London University, England), I chose the two assessors. My research had built on and extended the work of one assessor and the other assessor had attended all the conferences where I had presented my findings as they emerged. After the greetings, they said they had never seen a thesis that had no errors and that answered all the questions they could ask. So, their only question to me was, "What are you going to do now?" I told them I had a job offer from one of the world's top-5 consultancy firms to head up their Health Care consultancy group.

[@breynerjimeneznoy]

I have my dissertation tomorrow and this is the class I truly needed, but never had until now. Thank you very much!

[@LT-zi4pz]

How did it go?

[@breynerjimeneznoy]

L T It went well, I’m waiting for the graduation :)

[@johnmaramot1533]

It really helps! Praise God. I will defend next week (March 17). Thank you for posting this. God bless!

[@innoslovinnoslov]

Prof. your body language tells a lot how kind a person you are. Thank you for sharing these invaluable defense tips 🙏 My PhD VIVA is coming up in 3 weeks. Wish me good luck.

[@daginn896]

Body language do not tell shit.

[@karinalopezhuitron6003]

Lots of thanks! I am preparing my dissertation to achieve my bachelor degree for chemical engineering . I am actually sweating and wasting energy thinking about what will be the questions from the jury. I feel really nervous when I am speaking in public, but you transmit me confidence and strength.

[@mayrar115]

This is the information and energy i needed 5 days from my defense. I'll be watching a few more times in the coming days. If only for the encouragement from Dr. Balester. I wish every program was lucky to have someone like her!

[@backstermakungwa5252]

Thank you so much Dr Balester, I had my thesis defence last week and I used your format...I got good results . You gave me confidence, and most importantly the right approach to my presentation.

[@jescarkoech1808]

My appreciation to this piece of presentation. it's one of the dessertation videos that are refreshing and growth oriented. Again i say 'THANK YOU DR.'

[@BabangidaYKure]

This is so relevant 10years later and it will remain relevant. Thank you for this video.

[@chengningzhang8228]

Great video, I passed my defense on 06/24/2022. Good luck guys

[@LucijaMijanovic]

This is a great video to watch before you defend your dissertation if you're anxious. I watched it a day before the defense and it really calmed me down, making it a more pleasant experience. Thanks, dr. Valerie! :) And best of luck to the ones that are watching this and preparing to defend their own dissertation, you got this!

[@hudakamsani3240]

me too..i will defend mine tomorrow❤

[@Jans1820]

​@@hudakamsani3240 How did it go?

[@Jans1820]

I'm doing mine tomorrow.

[@hudakamsani3240]

@@Jans1820 u can do itttt🔥💯

[@hudakamsani3240]

@@Jans1820 pass with distinction for my master study🥹 thanks to Allah.

[@tiaashtyn7560]

THANK YOU!!! I really needed a good review of this. I lost so much confidence during the process after running into problems securing my data & other obstacles. It’s been 5.5 years since my proposal was approved & I am finally about to defend. I really wanted more guidance, asked my chair about what I needed to put together for my slides & he only just yesterday asked about it. I’ve spent the last two weeks focusing on the wrong stuff because of my anxiety & zero guidance & basically just started from scratch & only have 2 days left to prepare. My colleagues were kind enough to give me some feedback on my presentation. My confidence is my biggest concern. I know my topic, but I draw blanks if my anxiety gets triggered.

[@warmedhorizons]

who else is here in 2019 trying to figure their sh*t out

[@Draveance]

Actually Me...I'm Scared, I Wasted 1 Year Figure Out My Thesis so Stressful ,Now Not Many Time Left, So Scared Face Out Defense and Talk

[@diladila8192]

me am going to defend my thesis next week i hope it will be great

[@Draveance]

Good Luck Dyla, Hope All Went Well!

[@o.biertrinker9649]

Good luck, I'm also on this, with great expectations.

[@Draveance]

You Too Biertrinker!

[@robertoaylmer7593]

Dear Dr Balester, your video was of great help. Thanks for sharing and supporting stressed PhD students around the world. Receive my gratitude from Brazil. Best regards, Aylmer

[@aminujerome8050]

I love you, Dr. Valerie. I have never heard this way before. Its always been dreadful and monstrous here even now that I just got admitted into my PhD programme here in Nigeria, my brain recalled the experiential pain of my Master's Degree. Thank you. I am up now. I really hope to have a feel of what Education in the western world is like.

[@alhajiconteh8639]

Virtually very good hit: God willing, i'll be defending my thesis in June, 2014

[@kayfyth]

may God grant you success!

[@bryan1996dongo]

How did it go?

[@croitoruanca1234]

Valerie, this presentation helped me so much. I had a low confidence about my defense, but honestly you saved my life. your presentation is so empowering and strong, yet kind and honest. I am not looking forward to defend my thesis, but I am more confident and I just want tot thank you for that. :) Have a good day. Kind regards form Denmark

[@gemelylubin4554]

This presentation was in-depth and comprehensive. 👏👏👏👏👏It takes away the nerves of the thesis defence and provides clarity about what to expect and the mindset to have.

[@inleusabasengkham8914]

This is so useful for me at this moment, I am actually having my PhD defense in a week from the day that I posted this comment. Thanks so much.

[@annoooosa]

+Inleusa Basengkham So how did it go? :)

[@chrisogonas]

I defend in 2 days' time - this is hugely useful. Thanks Dr. Valerie.

[@mgabrielaestrada]

Thank you Dr. Valerie Balester! I appreciate so much your guidance, suggestions, and encouragement!

[@Ruffin2014]

Getting ready for my defense in three weeks! So thankful for this video. Thanks!

[@gerardoperfors2645]

What a nice lady, thank you! In France, where I live, many of the defenses I have been to are done by terrified candidates, even though, as she said, they always pass. Of course one has to take it seriously but there's no need for all that fear. That being said, it's my turn next week and I'm super stressed too!

[@steevensonrosema8125]

Millions of thanks Dr. Balester. As an international student who must defend a dissertation, I have learned a lot. Thank you one more time.

[@doneleos2544]

I'm so glad I watched this video Dr. Valerie. It really helped me a lot. Thank you

[@shivanibothra7639]

My defense is two weeks later, and I am extremely nervous. I found this presentation greatly helpful and overcoming my anxiety. Thank you!

[@TheDivastiva]

I almost cried when she said, "congratulations"…. 3/28/14!!!!

[@ammzlyedrousz1109]

Debbie Stevens congrates

[@Arab_kids_in_Malaysia]

OMG.. As I did but no tears.. My viva voce examination will be soon.. I am preparing for it. it was greatest feeling when she smile and said Congrats 👏 wow

[@dagnetefera4115]

Confidence +++

[@JONYHANNAN]

congratulations

[@anjalyb6935]

I have witnessed several viva voce in my life.. most of them cried while awarding the PHD.

[@lissaprieto3247]

I will defend my thesis proposal this 7/17/14 which is two days from now. Thank heavens I came across this video. wish me luck guys :) thanks

[@anthonyumole4389]

Trust your thesis proposal went quite well Lissa. Good luck to you!

[@xochitllee24]

Good luck Lissa!!

[@ceciliatheule1226]

Thank you very much! It was incredibly useful when defending my Master degree dissertation...and I got full marks! Obviously, not only because it was a nice speech, but this video helped me...a lot.

[@ejirofavour8103]

I am having my MA thesis defense tomorrow and I am a bit nervous. I hope all goes well. However, I feel somwhat confident about going in and talking about my work to them now. Thank you Dr.

[@jomsbernardo3027]

This has indeed tickled my brain and helped me to create the content for my presentation. from being anxious im getting excited.. thanks you

[@nanioushka]

Omg thank you! I'll be defending my thesis next week at 4pm and I was actually freaking out on the hows and whats I must do. Moreover, I will have to do it in a different language I am not used to (so that's another pressure adding up on my stress). *sigh* But anyways, this video really REALLY helped me out to calm myself on what to do and not do. Again, thank you for posting this! :) Hopefully, everything will go well. I wish all of you the best :)

[@Mralbarni]

How it went?

[@nanioushka]

Omar Linguistics Awesome!!!!!! Thanks for asking! :)

[@ebonyir]

Like you, I will defend tomorrow and also in a language that its not my native language. Congratulations on passing your defense.

[@anamarkic5388]

Me too in a week! But this video made is so much clearer on how the process goes and what kind of information I should give out..

[@claudiarsilva]

Well, this was really helpful! I have my thesis defense on 24th July. Wish me luck! And good luck to all of you too!

[@theshrek__3287]

How did you go? asking 4 years later!

[@claudiarsilva]

​@@theshrek__3287 It went really well, thank you! Answering after 6 months ahah

[@Applegrl556]

I have my masters defense in two days on May 14th 2024. I already have heard from one advisor he has major issues with the direction of my literature review but I have 2 months for revising so I feel somewhat confident in being able to amend it. This video was so helpful and calming in preparing how to navigate the process.

[@shishir20788]

My final doctoral defense is on 22 September, 2014. This is a really an outstanding presentation. I learnt a lot and going to implicate it as much as possible

[@Saya-jq8cx]

How was it?

[@mspinaydev]

How was it?

[@eyesneveropen-meow-5125]

How was it?

[@leonkimble5515]

Dr. Balester, you are a true professional in delivering rich information for a dissertation defense! Simply amazing!

[@MrsDMG2024]

Oh wow! My defense is ten days away. I’ll watch this in the morning to prepare.

[@tanyalyn3367]

Currently preparing for my defence and this video was shared on the departmental platform. i cannot even begin to say how grateful I am for this. it has given me the confidence i need and i feel so prepared after watching. Thank you Dr Valerie for the wonderful talk

[@DrLakeciaReddrick]

You did awesome! I am conducting my research with another university, prepping for my oral defense. Thank you so very much, Dr. Balester!

[@authorandrejerry2896]

This is IT!!! I give my oral defense in a few days and this was SO VERY helpful!!

[@diarimachan]

Thankyou Valerie, I'm going to have my defense next week. And just by re and re watching your video I feel confident adds up everytime.

[@allyttlesus]

Just came here to say this video helped me pass my thesis defence!!!! It is amazingly helpful for my anxiety to hear the advice that one should face a defence like its a conversation among peers. I know my material best, and I could talk about it for hours, so I did! In a concise and timely manner!

[@joyceannlanuevo733]

This video was very helpful. I hope I will pass my defense tomorrow.

[@AyahABDD]

I am really speechless about the significance of your video and words, they work like a compassionate mother who supports her children and boosts their confidence, thanks from my heart ❤️, you are great .

[@tracyc2408]

I'm gonna defense my dissertation in 3 days! Very helpful! Thx! And wish me good luck!

[@PedeCasing]

Thank you so much!

[@cherryferguson6203]

Thank you Dr. Balester for this informative video. I now realize how much I did not know about the process. There is so much pertinent information. I know that I will need to watch this a few more times before I defend my dissertation.

[@MsHannahHT]

Preparing for tomorrow (25/04/2019)... will be defending a research proposal via Skype... Thank you for this!!!

[@atlantic20201]

Best of luck Dr.

[@nurjafri]

Mine day after tomorrow :D

[@atlantic20201]

@@nurjafri May Allah make it easy for you..

[@edmondbadibanga2793]

Dr Valérie Balester thank you very much, you are very good in teaching this topic with a great and amazing understanding. The world have a chance to have you, i wish you long life.

[@poocholoverboy]

Thank you for this! I will be defending my thesis in one month and I am already quite terrified. I will be working on my presentation very thoroughly in the upcoming days/weeks to make sure I am a confident speaker. This helped extremely however. Thank you :)

[@barkaahmed9566]

I probably defend my master thesis next month, and Im too worried about that until I watched this video, actually she gave me so much confidence, really thanks for sharing this one.

[@udochukwuchris56]

highly informative. got my defense coming up soon and more confident than ever. Than you Prof

[@irenenamatende9583]

Soon defending , this is timely for me

[@4men2women]

I am defending my MA thesis in two days. The format is different though so I'll have a presentation for 45-50 min!! THEN I'll get the questions... gosh

[@robcurios740]

2 years later... I am defending mine in two days too!

[@everycradleisagrave6118]

@@robcurios740 i am defending mine tomorrow

[@JS-up8oe]

4men2women defending for a masters ? Is that common ?

[@Jdelli0916]

@@JS-up8oe short answer is, yes. It really depends on the program though. There are also Master's degrees that are non-thesis programs.

[@salmiristo]

Defending mine in 30 minutes 😅

[@mohammedmuaafa2037]

I am having my defense next week, always come watch this video to boost up my confidence. Thanks a lot

[@CassandraDuncanDr]

Dr. Valerie: The video is quite informative. I plan to defend sometime early 2016, and with the points noted in the video, I know my defense will be much better than I first anticipated. Thank you so much

[@jielu2072]

I am very happy to watch this before starting my PhD in September. Thank you so much and wish you a best and safest 2021

[@traktrgrl]

This is so helpful. I'm going to be watching at least 100 more times in the next month.

[@Zippy-dj8ev]

This id excellent! Thank you so much. I'm prepping for my oral exam soon and have had little guidance, watching this video has calmed me significantly. The fact and logical progression approach makes a huge difference.

[@abdisamedidiris5581]

Thank you, i will be defending my master thesis next weak insha allah .

[@fajembolavictor5514]

Defending My BA thesis less than 24 hours , this is so helpful

[@sariyanta]

Thank you for the video. I'll have the thesis exam in 6 hours. This really helps reducing my anxiety :)

[@jihanesaddad5459]

Thank you Dr. Valerie Balester for your precious guidance!