Again
The viva’s not the first time you’ve had to respond to questions about your research. The viva’s not the first time you’ve been asked about your contribution. The viva’s not the first time you’ve really had to think hard about...
Daily viva help for PhDs
The viva’s not the first time you’ve had to respond to questions about your research. The viva’s not the first time you’ve been asked about your contribution. The viva’s not the first time you’ve really had to think hard about...
July was a busy month for me! I tried to promote two lovely things when they happened but realised I hadn’t shared them via the blog. Do indulge me today while I share these with you in case you’ve not...
There’s lots of blanks that could occur around the viva. Key information you don’t know. Something you can’t remember. Before and during the viva, the feeling of suddenly knowing that you don’t know something can be uncomfortable, even stressful. In...
A lion is capable of catching mice for food, but if it spends all of the time doing so it won’t survive. A gazelle could be harder to hunt for but will, if caught, provide everything the lion needs. That’s...
Dreams do come true. Sometimes. But wishing and dreaming that you get no corrections for your thesis is a fantasy that’s best left alone. Some candidates find out at the end of their viva that they have no corrections to...
In my PhD I can remember times I was lucky. Lucky to be at a particular seminar and see an unsolved problem that I knew I could solve. Lucky to suddenly make a breakthrough and get the result I needed....
I’ve observed some PhD candidates think their examiners’ expectations will be set way too high. Candidates can worry… …whatever someone has produced for their thesis, the examiners will want more. …if you’ve published a paper, they’ll wonder why you don’t...
The viva is a conversation driven by the questions your examiners ask. Every question is an opportunity. An opportunity to explore your work. An opportunity to clarify a misunderstanding. An opportunity to add to what is in your thesis. An opportunity...
I enjoy playing video games where I can alter the setting to “easy” and feel powerful. I can advance through the story, feel present and connected to the world of the game (as enemies don’t knock me down every two...
In our house we’re all fans of Saturday morning cartoons and adventure shows. If someone or a group have magical items, secret abilities, arch-enemies or a world to save, then we are there to watch and enjoy the story! Often,...