The End Result
Remember what you’re working towards. You need to submit your thesis, but you’re not working towards that. You need to prepare for your viva, but the work isn’t for the sake of preparation. And you want to pass your viva,...
after the viva
An Imperfect Thesis
“Submitted is perfect” was a piece of thesis writing advice that jumped out to me on Twitter a few weeks ago. I wish I could remember where I saw it, though I imagine the person sharing it was not unique...
To Be Continued
After submission you need to prepare for your viva – but you also need to prepare for life after the PhD. For some that could be simple (or welcome!) but for all candidates, particularly those who have attachments to physical...
The Epilogue
That’s the time after your viva, after corrections, after your final thesis submission but before you actually graduate with your PhD. Are you a Doctor at that point? Technically no, but you might not let that stop you from changing...
The End, And Onwards
If you’re post-submission and trying to prepare for your viva but finding it hard then remember: you could not have got this far unless you were good. Could you keep going for this long and this far if you were...
The Ugh Factor
Ugh. The most common response to thinking about thesis corrections. Of course, any kind of corrections – minor or major – are unwanted, but they’re not bad in themselves. Examiners require corrections for lots of reasons: typos, clarity or because...
The Last Correction
Most PhD candidates are given corrections to complete after the viva. Typically examiners give a list of typos, clear instruction on sections that need to be revised and so on. While they’re often not too numerous or too onerous, corrections...
Get Corrections Done
Big or small, whether they feel fair or not, after the viva just get your thesis corrections done. Your examiners will be clear about what needs doing and why – if there’s any doubt in your mind, ask them. Corrections...
The Next Steps
At some point your PhD will be finished. Then what? You don’t need to have all the answers. There’s no single right path that should be followed by a PhD candidate as they prepare to finish. It will help though...
Tell Your Story
After your viva tell your story to anyone who you think it will help. Why you did a PhD, how you got through it, what happened at the viva – share practical help but also how it felt as you...