Be Kind To Yourself
Whenever you’re reading this, be kind to yourself when you’re getting ready for your viva. Don’t settle for less than you’re capable of, but do be kind to yourself and have reasonable expectations for what you can do with all...
Daily viva help for PhDs
Whenever you’re reading this, be kind to yourself when you’re getting ready for your viva. Don’t settle for less than you’re capable of, but do be kind to yourself and have reasonable expectations for what you can do with all...
How can you make a sanctuary for yourself before your viva? How can you make a nice space for preparing, or create an environment that is going to help you feel good as well as get ready? It probably won’t involve setting...
I got a new logo for my business a few months ago. I like it. For the longest time I struggled with how to explain what I did: I’m a freelance skills trainer. I’m a skills trainer for PhDs. I’m...
There may be a disconnect between you and your friends and family when it comes to the viva. Colleagues, peers, your supervisors – they’ll all have an idea of the stakes involved in a PhD and what the viva means....
You are the only person who can pass your viva. That does not mean that you have to get ready alone. Who do you know who can help you prepare? Who do you know who can help you to feel...
I’m forty in a few months. As much as I like to say, “I’m fine!” whenever anyone asks me about my health, the truth is I’ve started to pick up a few grumbles here and there. My right knee likes to...
“Ready for the viva” doesn’t mean “not nervous about the viva”. Ready doesn’t mean perfect in any way. Ready and prepared aren’t quite the same thing – but they travel in the same car. Ready for the viva means you’ve...
Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Caught in a landslide… A few weeks ago I was half-humming, half-singing Bohemian Rhapsody as I was tidying up. “What’s that?!” asked my seven-year-old daughter. I started singing the song properly. I...
Your supervisors will be able to help with lots of things related to the viva. It’s good to consider them in the role of a consultant. Consultants take a step back, they’re there to advise: you have to do the...
If most vivas result in success, why would yours be any different? If most candidates can get ready with only a little work, relative to the rest of their PhDs, what’s different for you? If most people have a viva...