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Archaeology master’s student, Yuxin Cao: Introvert on Stage—How I Survived (and Loved) the 3MT
Ever talk yourself out of something and regretted that you didn鈥檛 participate later? The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) is one of those experiences where your inner critic (your inner negative self-talk) can convince you it鈥檚 better to not participate; that you鈥檙e not good enough; that you will embarrass yourself; that it鈥檚 just too much.
SFU鈥檚 2025 3MT winner, Yuxin Cao, an Archaeology master鈥檚 student, had similar doubts at first.
Instead of believing she couldn鈥檛 do it, she bravely took a leap out of her comfort zone and, in doing so, gained confidence in that space that exists between the joy of her research and how it鈥檚 shared.
In her own words, Yuxin shares what that experience taught her:
The night before my 3MT faculty heat, I dreamed that I messed up my script and came last. Was it a bad sign? I was so nervous when I arrived at the competition that my legs were shaking!
I forgot that I already had wisdom about dreams that I should have remembered from my Chinese folklore: dreams are the opposite of reality. That understanding happened to be true. I won the faculty heat and didn鈥檛 let my ancestors down after all.
I believe my nervousness (like many others鈥�) comes from a combination of not having previous public speaking experience as well as being an introvert. I thought, 鈥淚 don鈥檛 talk a lot in real life; how can I talk well on a stage, in front of an audience?鈥�.
I learned there is one thing that matters more than public speaking skills or extroversion: using my genuine passion for my research project to make a great story. I want people to find my research as interesting as I do.
I used the following tips to help calm my nerves:
鈥�Talking to strangers鈥� sounded scary. I thought about 鈥渢alking about my work鈥� instead. (I found people love hearing about my work.) I told myself to forget about the faces and judgements and immerse myself in the words instead.
Repeated practice was essential to memorize my script. I found it particularly helpful practicing my script, over and over again, alone in the woods of the Burnaby Mountain. The fresh air kept me energetic, and the quietness helped me focus.
I asked my supervisors and peers to act as the audience. I asked them to tell me if my script was too jargony or too boring, or if I鈥檓 being articulate and engaging. They acted as mirrors that reflected both the fallacies and merits that I couldn鈥檛 see myself.
Finally, 3MT is for everyone, whether or not you have experience with public speaking. After participating, I'm no longer scared of public speaking. With a shifted mindset, a lot of practice, and support from peers, any graduate student can particpate.
This is something that I once thought I could not do, but have the confidence to do so now.
If you鈥檝e convinced yourself the 3MT isn鈥檛 for you, you鈥檙e not alone. There are resources and support to help you prepare.
And, if you are a finalist from your faculty heat, Charity Slobod, Professional Development and Student Experience Manager, in the Faculty of graduate Studies has some helpful workshops to help you level up!
Sign up for your faculty heat, give it a try, and see what three minutes can do for you!