A Trial Run
Mock vivas have always been a good idea. A space to rehearse for the viva, an opportunity to build confidence at responding to questions and gain certainty that you’re prepared for the real thing. Now, more than ever, a mock...
Daily viva help for PhDs
Mock vivas have always been a good idea. A space to rehearse for the viva, an opportunity to build confidence at responding to questions and gain certainty that you’re prepared for the real thing. Now, more than ever, a mock...
Before submission, you could always… …read one more paper. …do one more test. …ask one more question. …check one more thing …have one more meeting. It won’t take much to prepare for the viva, but however much you do, you...
Part of the viva process is your examiners exploring your significant, original contribution. They will want to discuss your work with you, to find out more about it, to see what it means, to see how it applies, maybe find...
You can write a good thesis. You can make yourself prepared for your viva. You can know what to expect from your examiners. You can know what to expect from the viva. You can learn about remote vivas, if that’s...
I think it’s you. Your examiners have your thesis already. It’s possible they have questions about this or that, but if you’ve got to submission and the viva your work must be good enough. Perhaps a detail isn’t quite right,...
Virtual vivas, Skype vivas, Zoom vivas – I see lots of names being used for the same thing. The current situation in the world means some vivas will be delayed, and others will necessarily happen online. Remote vivas are needed,...
Today is the last day of the tax year in the UK, and time for me to take stock of things. I’m asking myself questions like: How much came in? How much went out? How many invoices? Do I have...
Why? If you don’t know something in the viva, ask yourself “Why?” If you feel stuck during your prep, “Why?” If your supervisor makes a suggestion and you’re not sure about it, ask them “Why?” Or if your external says...
Yes and no. Every chapter in your thesis will be read by your examiners. Everything will be considered. In reading it though, examiners may find things they particularly want to focus on in their thinking and then in the viva....
In my Viva Survivor sessions I cover a lot of different topics, including a good half an hour on practical steps to take between submission and the viva. Here’s the 1-minute version! Read Your Thesis. No excuses, don’t skim, read...