If you need them, you need them. If you think they’ll help, you’ll feel bad if you don’t have them.
Rituals, routines, placebos, priming, good luck charms, special socks or magical music…
If this was your whole viva preparation then you’d probably be in trouble. But if you put in the work during your PhD, spend some time and effort preparing for the big day and finish by psyching yourself up with a playlist of special songs? Sounds like a plan.
For a big event like the viva, how you feel is as important to manage as what you know. Passing is not down to luck, but helping yourself to feel better with a lucky charm or helpful self-care can make the difference.
