“Return your seatback to its full upright position….”
So I gave some advice that turned out to be unnecessary when I proctored in Tulsa last month: that it would be wise to do a little brush-up after comps on any question that looked like it might be troublesome (just in case one was called to do an oral defense.)
It’s still good advice, though, and I’m posting it here because I’ve proctored twice in a row now, so it’s unlikely that I’ll be proctoring again for the next few exams. So remember that there are often only a few days between being notified that one has to “defend” a question and the actual defense date. “Doing one’s homework” the week before that isn’t cheating: it’s common sense, because the faculty certainly expects one to prepare for the defense (even if one wasn’t prepared for the question itself!) Being able to mention some recent literature relevant to the topic doesn’t exactly hurt, hint hint. So, after comps and before defense: don’t wait to be called. During the defense: don’t wait to be called upon. Remember that you chose this method of “final assessment.”
Or choose the portfolio option!
I chose the method of comps before I ever knew what library school entailed, much less what comps entailed. If I knew then what I know now I would not have chosen library school at all. I am so disillusioned at the process, the program, the profession…how does one overcome that?
Hmm, I’m not the best person to answer that, because I’m on my fourth career since getting my MLS back in the dark ages. (Or maybe I am, come to think of it!) What I’d suggest is that you take whatever was valuable about the experience, “cowboy up,” and move on. The process, the program, and the profession are all in the midst of massive changes anyway: I actually feel sorrier for people who prefer things the way they are! I realize that this is no consolation whatsoever, but since I don’t know who you are or what you have gone through, it’s hard to be more helpful about the specifics of what distresses you. I can say from experience, though, that disappointment in one thing can impel you to do something else that may turn out much better in the long run….