system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
How to come off natural in a PhD interview?

hi everyone. I recently got an interview invite to one of my top programs for a PhD. I am insanely excited and stressed about it. they have already told the interviewees what questions to expect, which has given us both a blessing and curse in terms of preparation.

of course I prepared answers to these questions but I am worried about coming off as rehearsed/scripted, especially as I tend to get nervous and find it hard to maintain a natural flow.

any advice for introverted, anxious people to come off more natural or relaxed in interviews? thanks!
gpt
It’s expected that you’ll be nervous. Just don’t read answers or rattle off memorized lines and you’ll be fine. Good interviews are like good improvised music—the person knows their stuff so well that they can adapt and flow while still being authentic.