Project Defense is a necessary and compulsory exercise for students who are in their final year in many tertiary institutions. Students are expected to carry out a research on a topic of their choice which later on they might need to come and defend their work. This depends however on the department one falls into as some departments does not carry out a project Defense.
So right from my year one in the university I was already having the fear of project (research) writing. The fear was sponsored by the stories I heard from many graduates about their projects and how frustrating it can be at some point most especially when you have a project supervisor that doesn't have your time.
That fear in me made me start preparing my mind for my project even right from my year one. And finally after a short while it was now time for me to carry out my project.
In my second semester in 300 level we were allocated supervisors and we were asked to summit our research topics for approval before first semester 400 level. Before this time I have already known how to formulate a research topic on my field of study ( i. e Economics). I have already studied the necessary requirements and ingredients that must be inculcated into an Economics research topic. And thus, immediately we were asked to summit topics for approval I sent mine to my supervisor which she accepted my topic that same day without any delay. Out of the students allocated to my supervisor I was the first to summit my topic for approval. Many of my course mates could not summit their topics that second semester 300L until 400L first semester ( some even submitted theirs in second semester 400L). And so, while others where still struggling to get a research topic in 400L first semester I was already done with my chapter one to three. Even my supervisor was shocked at my speed and diligence in seeing that I got my work done on time.
And by early second semester 400L I was already preparing for my defense. Although unfortunately for me my supervisor was ill and so she couldn't help me in my preparation for my defense I still ensure that I was adequately ready.
The day of the defense came (which was last week Tuesday) and everybody appeared tensed and scared, especially those who are having the same examiner with me. The fear and tension was sponsored by the fact that the man's knowledge on research is topnotch. But I was not even bothered about it cause I was confident that I was fully ready for my defense. I happened to be the last person to be examined that day under my group. Before I was called upon to do my defense I was already tired and weak. And when I was called upon, I was given 5 minutes to tell them about my research work. And Within that 5 minutes I was able to give them a summary of my whole work. By the time I was done my examiner was in awe. And before he could ask me any question the first thing he said was, "wow...this is an excellent presentation ". That comment took me unaware and I didn't even know how I was supposed to respond to that accolade from my examiner. Every other question the man asked me I answered it smartly and without missing words. From that moment henceforth, whenever my examiner sees me he calls me 'Professor Elijah'. Remember that my supervisor was not in school during my defense. And so, after my defense last week I came to school on Monday and fortunately for me my supervisor was around. I went to see her to give her feedback of my defense but I found her together with my examiner in her office. And my examiner was telling my supervisor how excellent my presentation was. My supervisor was very excited to hear that and she was even telling him how serious I have been from the beginning on my work.
In a nutshell, while others were lamenting how poorly they performed and how they were unable to answer the questions they were been asked during their defense I on the other hand was highly praised by both my supervisor and my examiner. The difference here is in preparation.
I turned my fear of project writing into a motivation to prepare. And when you are adequately prepared for life, your life results will be eminent to all.
