Advice Compilation: NSDA Nationals

By the Women and Gender Minorities in Policy Debate Collective

June 12th, 2022

Make the most of your tournaments. Try and do well, of course, but also make connections with your team and the other teams around you. If you explore the new place you’re in and get to know your opponents, it will make you a better person.

From,
Dana Thurnell

Have fun! Over the past few years, we've missed out on a lot of in-person debate experience, so make the most of it — talk to your opponents! Make conversation with people you wouldn't have otherwise met! Community is such a big part of debate, so make the most of it!

From,

Anonymous

Although I do not have much experience with in-person tournaments (being a sophomore and due to COVID), I think the biggest piece of advice I can give is to fake it ‘till you make it. When I was at IHSA (state), I was really nervous to be debating in-person against debaters that were definitely more experienced than me, but I soon realized that everyone there was just as nervous as I was. Appearing confident is something extremely beneficial as you will not only seem calm and collected to the other team, but it is a way to calm your own nerves. Even if you are scared or nervous about a round or about a team you may be hitting, appearing confident on the outside allows you to feel like you are invincible and can translate to your argumentation and coherence (trust me when I started acting more confident, I felt much more comfortable giving speeches). I know it’s easier said than done, but each time you overcome the mental barrier in your head telling you that you can’t do it, you work towards becoming truly confident without having to fake it. My other piece of advice would be not to be afraid to make mistakes or sell yourself short. You are debating for a reason because you chose to debate for a reason. Don’t let anyone make you feel like you don’t belong or dictate how you feel about yourself — the only thing that matters is YOUR personal growth. I know it’s easy to feel judged after making a mistake — especially in a big round — but mistakes shape your growth, and they’re the only way that you learn and reach the success you want.

From,
Mahi Shah

Make sure to have fun at these tournaments. Do your best at debating and try your hardest, but also just enjoy it! Get to know the people around you, and you will know people nationally.

It’s easy to feel “stupid” or not “good enough” to be in debate, but it’s important to realize why you debate in the first place. It’s about having a voice, finding power in this platform, raising awareness, etc. and you shouldn’t let such symptoms of imposter syndrome get in the way of making a future for yourself!
From,
Anonymous

Be unapologetically yourself! As a woman/gender minority in debate, it's unfortunately easy to feel pressured to lower the pitch of your voice or dress a certain way at tournaments. Wear what you want and act how you want, and don't worry about anything else! When you look back on your debate career, you will be proud of your persistence :)
From,
Audrey Sepahdari