Just Breathe
The viva is not a race, a quiz, an interview, a trial or an ordeal.
When your examiners ask a question, you can take your time.
Breathe. Just breathe.
Take a beat to check you understand the question or comment. Take a beat to think about how you’ll respond.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
Then speak – unless you need more time to think, in which case take more time to think.
The viva is not a race.