Student Visa (F1, F2, M1, M2)

hi friends,
the days before my F1 interview were i guess one of the most tensed days in my life...so thought of sharing my experiences with you, in case it might help anyone. I had myself gone through this site before my interview and it did help. I read about people appearing for the 9th time for their student visa interview and finally getting success. So i was mentally prepared myself for going through 10 rounds of interview if needed be :)
I have recenlty got married, and my husband is in US on a work permit. I applied for a F1 visa in US.
Before the interview, I made sure I had all the documents, speacially the funding documents. I also went throught the university web site, faculty details, course curriculum. I kept all the documents in a folder with named tags written over the various flaps, so that I didnt have to fumble while showing the documents to the Visa Officer.
On the day of the interview, i went half an hour early. My interview was at 8:15 am. At 8 o clock, the guard in front of the consulate asked for 8:15 scheduled candidates to form a queue. They checked my passport, my appointment letter, and let me in. Next I was led in a room where a security guard checked my belongings(you are not allowed to carry any sealed envelopes, staplers, glues, cells etc). Next I was asked to enter the embassy building. We had to stand in a queue, where a person collected our bank drafts, passport, I-20, letter of admission and the DS forms. If they find some of the columns are not correctly filled up, they ask you to make the changes and resubmit them the forms. Next I was asked to wait for my turn. I waited patiently for my turn to come, million thoughts were running through my head, but I did my best to keep them at bay. Next I heard my name getting called.
I went to the interview booth. Behind the booth, the Visa Officer smiled and asked me how are you doing? I said fine. Good Morning. He wished me back. He asked me to take my finger prints and then started looking through my documents. I could hear my heart beat, but I managed to keep my smile. He told me you already have a master's degree, why do you want to get one more? I told him, it was a generalized course, and there are certain topics which I want to delve upon further, so my desire to study. I find the college I am applying to offering those courses. Next he asked me does your husband stay in US? Yes sir. Where does he stay. ____. next where is he working. ____. Next he asked me for my funding docs. He asked me abt my family. What my parents do, details about that. Also about my sibling. Finally he took out a paper and was scribblign something, and then he told me, you might be aware that you cant travel 30 days before your date of admission. I said yes sir. The date of travel you have mentioned is coming to be 31 days. So I would suggest you consider a date atleast one day after. By that time, I was jumping with joy, I felt like saying I can travel on any date you tell me sir. I told him fine sir. Then he told me you will get your visa in 3 days time...Gave me back all my documents...Enjoy your study in the US. I gave him a broad smile, thanked him and left.
I think the key to success in the visa interview is to be truthful to the officer, to lay down all the facts, and to be confidant. Although the interview might last for a couple of minutes, but one needs to prepare well ahead in advance. If you are well prepared, you will be confidant during the interview, and its the confidence level which matters during those couple of minutes.
And above all keep the faith in God. He will sail you through. All the best!