Notes To Yourself
A practice I return to again and again is to leave a note on my desk to help Future-Nathan get started when they sit down for work. It’s a kindness, a little thing to help me get going. I could...
allies
Who Do You Know?
You are the only person who can pass your viva. That does not mean that you have to get ready alone. Who do you know who can help you prepare? Who do you know who can help you to feel...
Understanding
“What did you do today Nathan?” I tried to show the complexity of the algorithm that I’ve been developing for the last three months. “…Bolognese for tea, OK?” “How’s it going Nathan? What you been up to, finished that thing...
Asking For Help
It’s better to ask for help before the viva when you know what you need help with. Reflecting on the problem or gap in knowledge can highlight who it’s best to ask. It’s easier to ask for help before the...
Alone
You are the only person in your viva who can speak for you and your work. The questions and comments from your examiners, the discussion that follows, all of it is is centred on getting you to engage and talk....
Help!
There’s a lot of help available for your viva. The secret is to ask for help before all you can think is “Help!” Your supervisor can answer questions, offer opinions and put your mind at ease. Friends can listen, share...
A Problem Shared
You’re the only person who can pass your viva, but there are many, many people who can support you before you get that far. It may be that you just need a little encouragement, but if you have a problem...
Reach Out
If your viva is coming up, ask your friends, your colleagues and your supervisor for help. Think about what you need, think about when might be the right time to ask, be specific – but ask. They would want to...
The Pillow Fort Principle
How can you make a sanctuary for yourself before your viva? How can you make a nice space for preparing, or create an environment that is going to help you feel good as well as get ready? It probably won’t involve setting...
Friends & Family
There may be a disconnect between you and your friends and family when it comes to the viva. Colleagues, peers, your supervisors – they’ll all have an idea of the stakes involved in a PhD and what the viva means....