Expect Unique
If you ask around about viva length, two to three hours is fairly common. If you google you’ll find lots of lists of standard questions. On the day you will probably find out the result within thirty minutes of the...
ask for help
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...
Realistic
You can’t know exactly what will happen at your viva before you have it. But you can know about the many vivas of your friends and colleagues. Use stories of vivas in the past to help get ready for yours in...
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...
Where Are You?
I like asking this question at the start of a webinar. It’s fun to see whether people are in their university’s city or nearby, perhaps in another country or – in some cases – half the world away. It’s a gentle...
Your Preferences & Needs
Preferences are the things that we’d like, but which we could work around if needed. Preferences for your viva and viva prep might include: Starting in a morning; Reading your thesis with a fresh pot of coffee; Knowing your external...
Getting Help
Need help for your viva? Here are seven tips: Know what you need. It’s easier to get help if you can appreciate the gap that help helps with! If you’re not sure, reflect and try to put it into words....
At A Distance
Ask for help when you’re getting ready for your viva. Talk to your friends and colleagues in your department. Get them to listen to you talk about your work or ask about their experiences. Get the benefit of their help!...
Help If You Can
If a friend or colleague asks for help with their viva prep then assist them if you can. Ask what they need and help with their request as much as you’re able. Perhaps they need to know what to expect...
Encouragements
Ask your supervisor about the best parts of your work. Ask friends and colleagues about the best parts of their vivas. Look to your graduate school or doctoral college for helpful resources for viva prep. Look to friends and family...