Vivas are long.
Examiners ask tough questions.
Corrections are terrible.
Conditions are harsh.
There’s nothing you can do but hope.
Whispers about the viva are everywhere. They thrive because we don’t talk enough about what happens in vivas, at least not clearly.
Silence allows the whispers to creep in: the half-truths, the unexplored contexts and the unsubstantiated rumours.
Whispers can cause a lot of unnecessary worry. It’s not wrong to be nervous or worried about the viva, but the whispers aren’t worth your concern.
Ask more people more questions about their experiences. Talk to your supervisors. Read the regulations.
Beat back whispers with certainty. Bring your focus back to what matters.
