In my DSG, when Doctor Gale was approaching her defense and feeling a fair amount of fear, The Future Doctor Anderson and I were like, “you don’t need to prepare! Your dissertation is your preparation! You are the expert–you know more about your topic than anyone in the room!” We weren’t just trying to be nice. We honestly couldn’t figure out what her problem was.
I am shocked by how difficult it has been to take my own advice. If the Future Doctor Anderson had not brought up that discussion a few days ago, I wouldn’t have even remembered it. I am basically scared out of my mind.
I am not big on mantras, but before my defense tomorrow, I will be saying, “I am prepared. I am prepared.”
Becoming Doctor Jones 
If it helps at all, I think the irrational fear is perfectly normal. (which makes it…rational?) I will always see the day I defended as the one of the biggest accomplishments of my life, and a major contribution to that was how freaked out I was about it in the first place. :)
Take the advice from Post#1 and go see a movie tonight. Try to relax — you’ll do great!