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Month: February 2024

Nathan

Just One

Daily Post

There’s a lot to consider when you’re preparing for your viva, but getting started is easy. You need just one thing on a list and you can start to work.

Just one paper to read and reflect on.

Just one question to ponder and write about.

Just one chapter – or one page! – to annotate.

Just one hour with your supervisor or a trusted friend to have a chat.

Just one task can start the process of getting ready. There will be more to do, but you can always find a way to get started – or always find something to do that will make a difference to how prepared you are for your viva.

Nathan

Examiner Perfection

Daily Post

A list of characteristics a candidate should look for in examiners is very short: do they have PhDs in a relevant area? Do they have enough post-PhD experience and training?

That’s it. After that you and your supervisor are not looking for the best examiners: you’re trying to find examiners who are available and who are best for you.

What attributes would your ideal examiners have? Would they be people whose work you’ve cited? Would they be people who do similar things to you? Would you want someone with a long career and significant expertise? Or someone who has finished their own PhD in the last few years?

You can’t find examiner perfection, but you can find “good for you” if you reflect on what you think you need, ask the right questions and explore who might be available with your supervisor.

Nathan

And Now You’re Done

Daily Post

How good will it feel when those words are real?

How will you feel when your thesis is finished and submitted, you’ve had your viva, you’ve done whatever corrections you need to and – finally! – you’ve graduated?

Completing a PhD is a relatively rare thing: it might not seem that way because you’re surrounded by people who have done it or are working towards that goal! It’s unlikely you’ll ever have an experience quite like this in your life.

So take time to enjoy it if you can. Take time to record your thoughts and feelings. And take time to figure out what you can carry with you into whatever your next great challenge is.

Nathan

The Pledge

Daily Post

I will engage with my examiners’ questions, whatever they are.

If you commit yourself to this goal then you won’t go too wrong in the viva.

Keeping this in mind means you’re open to discussion. You’re ready to listen. You’re well-prepared.

You’re not listening to worries about “hard questions” or hoping to keep certain topics off the table.

You’re remembering that while you can’t know every question ahead of time, you can take your time in the viva to think and respond as well as you can.

Pause, think and respond as well as you can to each question and comment in your viva. Engage with your examiners’ questions, whatever they are.

Nathan

Encouragements

Daily Post

Ask your supervisor about the best parts of your work.

Ask friends and colleagues about the best parts of their vivas.

Look to your graduate school or doctoral college for helpful resources for viva prep.

Look to friends and family for kind words and help in making a good space to do your viva prep.

Find kind words to encourage yourself: you’re almost there.

Find encouragement for your viva where you can. There’s a lot in the people around you, and a lot in you as well.

Nathan

Snapshots From The Journey

Daily Post

If you think back on your PhD, all the work and effort, the success and setbacks and so on, you’re not going to remember three or more years of continuous story. You’ll remember moments: events that for matter to you and stand out for some reason.

Given the challenge of research and the difficulties you might face, it’s understandable if the standout moments skew a little negatively.

With a little help you can focus on the really helpful highlights. Consider:

  • When have you noticed getting better at a task?
  • When do you remember learning something for the first time?
  • When do you remember your confidence growing?
  • At what times do you remember feeling proud?
  • When do you remember thinking “I can do this”?

You don’t have to focus on everything as you prepare for your viva. When it comes to building confidence, it will help far more to focus on the snapshots of your progress and growth.

Nathan

I Heart Expectations

Daily Post

Roses can be red,

But can also be blue;

Viva expectations are patterns,

But might not hold for you.

 

Viva expectations tell a story of likely future experiences. Everyone you know from your department is asked to prepare a presentation, so it’s likely you will be too.

Viva expectations are not perfect. Everyone you know may have had a viva of around two hours, but yours is closer to three in the event.

Statistics and stories help. The details can really matter, but the real help comes from looking deeper. Nevermind the first question or how long, what’s the purpose and process at work? What do you really need to do and know?

Nathan

Legend

Daily Post

There are several ways we use the word.

Someone is a legend if they’re amazing. They have talent and are someone who has demonstrated that for a long time. For example, a postgraduate researcher when they reach thesis submission…

A legend can also be about someone or something, perhaps a story or collection of stories. Quite often this describes how the person or thing came to be great. For example, consider a PhD journey with all of its ups, downs and ultimate successes…

Less well known is using the word legend to describe the marks on a map. The legend explains the symbols of important features, which isn’t all that dissimilar to when someone looks for the highlights in their story. For example, a postgraduate researcher reflecting on their PhD journey as they prepare for their viva…

Taken together: consider the highpoints of your story so that you can appreciate your capability and how you got here.

Or perhaps: the legend of your legend makes you a legend!

Nathan

Build Up To The Viva

Daily Post

On your first day of viva prep you don’t have to push yourself to work at maximum intensity.

Maybe make a list.

Read a chapter.

Check a regulation or two.

You don’t have to start and maintain an exhausting pace of work and progress towards being ready.

 

You don’t have to do that from day two either. Or day three.

You can build up your prep and yourself. Take your time, plan your prep, build yourself up for the viva. A little work every day for however many weeks you need to not be stressed by your schedule. That’s all you need.

Build up to the viva rather than risk wiping yourself out with too much pressure.

Nathan

The Final Step

Daily Post

Testing transcription service. OK. Seems to be working today.

Here we go!

 

I have a procedure for the hour leading up to a webinar. Step by step, task by task, a process that helps guide me to starting well.

My water bottle is full. I have an emergency break snack. I’ve got my notes and my desktop is arranged just so. I’ve done all the work I can. Email off. I’ve checked that my family know not to disturb me. I check I’ve got everything I need.

Then the final step is to check that Zoom’s transcription service is working well, “Testing transcription service…”

 

What could your viva day procedure look like? What will you need to do? What might the first task be and what will the final step be that will help you to feel ready?

Then, here we go!

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