External examining for the first time - nervous!

[imposteracademic]

Hello

I am acting as an external examiner this week for the first time and wondered if anyone had any pearls of wisdom. I am really nervous! I have done the report etc and have some questions. Lots on this week and feel that I should be more prepared than I am. Hoping this is a relatively pain free experience of all (student included).

Is it a good thesis? That helps If the student is good then it goes quickly and is usually a fun and robust discussion & a chance for the student to show their enthusiasm. If we are pretty certain they'll pass I try to give some indication at the start, eg expressing how much I enjoyed reading their work and pointing out a few strengths.

Hope you enjoy it, and remember you were chosen for a reason! You'll definitely have something to contribute.

Thanks Levit. Yes, a good thesis thankfully. I am really pleased about that. Bizarrely I then worry that I don't have enough tough questions. It's good quality and I do have some questions etc of course. Looking forward to hearing what the other examiner thinks. I worry that I have it all wrong ...