The Prep Sequence

To prepare for the viva well it helps to do the right things.

• You don’t need to cover your thesis in notes and extra scribbles in every margin. Be targeted to make a better version of your thesis.
• You don’t need to read and re-read anything and everything you’ve ever done. Reading your thesis and checking important papers is enough.
• You don’t need to practise every question you can think of for your viva. A mock viva with your supervisor or a good chat with some friends could help you feel prepared for the day.

Good, focussed prep tasks add up to being ready – but it helps to do the right things in the right sequence. Don’t have a mock viva until your thesis is annotated, and don’t annotate your thesis before you’ve read it!

Work effectively to get ready instead of simply doing the right things.