better questions

Best of Viva Survivors 2024: Reflections

Daily Post

Day two of my best of posts for 2024. I am very fortunate to have time to think about and write about the viva.

I like to try and consider the viva from as many angles as possible, which leads to posts like today’s that reflect on the overall viva experience.

Other Vivas: hearing about viva experiences and anticipating your own.
But You Didn’t: reflecting on the PhD journey and the roads not taken.
Better Questions: what is it worth reflecting on ahead of your viva?
Write Two Lists: find a focus to help you get ready.
Questioning Difficulty: in a sentence, “expect difficult questions not difficult people.”

How have you been thinking about your viva over the last year? And how do you think you might need to change your thinking?

April 22, 2024April 9, 2024 Nathan

Daily Post

It’s not uncommon or irrational for a PhD candidate to ask:

These are natural questions to have in mind. A supervisor or a friend might be able to offer advice or even a definitive answer for some of them.

These are natural questions for a candidate to ask of others, but it’s better to reflect on questions like:

Worry, concern and not knowing lead to questions about the viva and preparation.

There are often better questions to consider than the ones which first come to mind.