Week 7

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Try this Jedi mind trick that I developed earlier in my career. When you arrive, approach the people who look like they are in charge, introduce yourself with confidence and a smile. Then, if there are other students already there, or as they arrive, introduce yourself to them. 

This interaction does two important things: First, it creates friendly faces in an anxious environment. People who were strangers moments before are now cheering for you because of your kindness. Second, you also help them relax a tiny bit by greeting them. Offer an encouraging word and wish them “good luck.” 

If it feels right and the judges are physically accessible, introduce yourself to them as well. I would limit your comments to introducing yourself and thanking them for being there. Remember that they are they to judge you. Greeting them briefly is polite and makes a good impression; trying to initiate a longer conversation may work against you as they may think you are trying to win their vote. 

Without a doubt, one of the most frequent comments I hear when talking to GRC competitors is how much they enjoyed learning about the research their peers were doing. Within an hour-long GRC event, the audience hears between 10–15 talks about diverse topics ranging from colorectal cancer to coral reef health to the implications of the Latin language on the modern legal system. It is a nerd’s dream come true!

In your role as a member of the audience, do your best to give your attention to the other speakers. Beyond being a common courtesy, listening to them offers the speakers something much greater—your respect. By modeling this behavior, you quietly encourage your peers to embrace a culture of collaborative support for one another. 

Aside from the entertainment and educational value, these talks can also benefit you personally. As you watch the speakers, pay attention to what catches (and keeps!) your attention. Is it humor, story, analogy, body movement, effective pauses? Make notes so that you can incorporate these techniques into your future presentations.

You have just spent the last several weeks working your tail off. The incredible news is that you invested in developing skills that will serve you throughout your entire career. But now you have earned a break. Set aside a few hours, a day, or a whole week if you can spare it, for fun, relaxation, and indulgence in your favorite pastimes. Reward yourself with something meaningful and memorable. 

In a few years, when you tell the tale of competing in Falling Walls, or the 3MT, or FameLab, or Grad Slam, your story should end with something like “And to reward myself, I took a once-in-a-lifetime roadtrip to (insert dream location here) with my friends!”