Prelude
Ma was elated as he looked at the temple from a distance.
As he came close, the edges of the stone stairs welcomed him back into his familiar world.
“These stones are surprisingly uniform”, thought Ma as he took the steps back into the temple.
“Am I learning anything in these journeys?”
Ah! Here is the world I learn a lot from! thought Ma
“What did you learn in this trip?” asked the Zen Master.
Ma looked puzzled and couldn’t hide his frustrations.
“Why do I have to do this?”
“Why do you make me do it every year?”
“You make me travel to my village. I walk the same road, cross the same fields and valleys. I travel the same bridges every year. I anticipate change and gape at even the subtle ones. Without a thought I wave at the children who happily cross by.
Familiarity is breeding boredom, so I am lost in my thoughts! I start to think what would have changed in my village, who would have ceased to dream or even worst whom I know would have ceased to breathe. This is a journey I forebode every year and return back thinking about all this in reverse all over again.”
“What do you expect me to learn? Don’t I learn what I should here in this sacred temple?” blurted out Ma
The journey to Qualify
Do we not learn what we should by doing research? Don’t we all learn in the space between lab and desk? Why should we have to go through this so called “Qualification or reclassification” in order to get a PhD? Didn’t we get admission through selection? Why is that not enough to qualify?
As we prepare for our qualification exam, probably these are some of the question that go through (most of) our minds.
Well, everyone of us know the answer to these questions if we give into the process. I guess, it is within each individual to perceive the potential as we see fit!
Qualification exam is a journey, a passage that we take in the process of getting a PhD. As we prepare to take this exam, the preparation itself becomes a journey and the exam is an experience that aims to mold us as “independent researchers”. “The more we are prepared for this journey the better and richer our experience”.
This article aims to be an aid/tool in this preparation process. It is more general and comes out of my experience. I would urge you to go through this tool and take away things that may resonate with you. Take things that you think may help you. Leave the others. Your journey is unique and if this blog helps, it has met its purpose.
I would like to encompass the complete preparation as
“PREP TO Qualify”
P-R-E-P (Proposal, Review, Examiners, Practice)
Proposal:
Proposal is an important document (to describe the project) to the examiners and a lot will depend on its preparation. Nothing new, I know! but it is important to keep in mind as we prepare the document, that this document will give away the plan for the next couple of years and how well you are prepared for the journey.
It is no secret, but a gentle reminder that, “a well defined project will define your qualifying exam”.
- Follow instructions:
Stick to rules, prepare as per required format, do not go overboard.
- Preliminary data helps, definitely helps!!
- Ask yourself! Does the proposal have the potential to say a story? A story is better received!
- Take care in designing the experiments. Know the time it will take to perform and complete the experiments. It is important!
- Take the comments from committee members seriously as you prepare the document.
Review:
Review the “area of research” and the subject background. It is what you are tested on! It is important to prepare well by reviewing the material at hand.
- Start early to prepare
- “Plan your preparation”. Have a strategy to cover extensively the research area and subject background.
- Take time to read previous work done in the lab (related and unrelated)
- Give enough time for subject background (specialization area)
- Cover recent development in the field of research.
- Don’t forget to learn about the recent developments in experimental techniques pertaining to the field
Examiners:
- Know your examiners.
- Learn about their research and techniques in their lab
- If they take any courses in the area of your research. Cover the bases
- Their focus on research (strengths) and interests.
It is easy to ignore this, but don’t.
Practice:
- Give your proposal to peers in the lab. Get their feedback. A good peer will not be judgmental. It is better to “fine tune” your proposal before submitting to the examiners. It never hurts in getting some advice.
- Welcome questions from your peers from the lab or outside. Field their questions from the subject and project. It will definitely help on the day of exam.
- Practice fielding hypothetical questions, including experimental design ones!
- Practice your presentation talk in advance.
- Revisit your plan at regular intervals and re-strategize your preparation accordingly.
With PREP under control, it is before the exam and on the day that you have “T-O” (Taking control, On that day) qualify.
Taking Control:
- Reduce your stress before your exam
- Plan for the day
- Practice your talk prior and be comfortable with the slides.
- Keep it simple. Remember, the examiners have already read the proposal. So go easy with the presentation.
- Remember to relax. Read non subject articles or books.
On the day:
- Eat well on the day of exam.
- Dress comfortably and know that you are prepared and planned for this day.
- Keep a bottle of water during your exam.
- Take time (if you need) to answer the questions.
- Remember, it is alright to say “I don’t know”. It is better to say “I don’t know” than half guess the answer, because it will avoid further questions from that half guess.
- Be prepared to draw figures and be willing to use the chalk board to explain (You may be made to draw on purpose!).
- It may be hard, but try to enjoy the process of the exam. After all, you are the expert fielding the questions!
All the best to all who PREP-TO Qualify!
Epilogue:
After hearing patiently Ma’s frustration, the Zen Master turned back to retire to his room.
“Don’t you want to know what I learnt?” asked Ma
“I have!” said the Master
-Author: Martin P. Alphonse