A New Page
Creating a summary is a useful viva prep task, but it can be a daunting one when you are faced with a blank page. There’s a lot of space to fill, and if you only intend to write something then...
getting ready
Past, Present, Future
As you get ready for your viva: Look back over everything you’ve done that has got you this far. Consider what has helped you to grow and what you’ve achieved. Think about where you are now and what you can...
Hitting The Target
An archer doesn’t get close to the target consistently through luck. If their arrow flies and strikes the bullseye they have been fortunate: this particular moment of skill has been rewarded. It takes time, effort and learning to build capability...
The Distinction
Viva prep is the set of tasks and activities related to your research and thesis that help you be prepared for meeting with your examiners. You feel comfortable responding to their questions and engaging with the discussion. Viva prep involves...
Make A Good Space
A few weeks ago I shared four pointers that help when preparing for a video viva: Read the regulations because then you know what your institution expects. Talk to friends so you can find out about their recent experiences. Practise!...
Good Day Socks Work!
I wore a pair of my good day socks to the viva – socks that I always wore when I wanted the day to be a good day – and I passed! After my viva I continued to wear the...
Prep Is Personal
The purpose of viva prep is universal among PhD candidates: it’s part of the work that someone does to help them get ready for the particular challenge they’ll find in the viva. The principles of viva prep are sound for...
The Highlights
Highlighter pens can be a useful part of a viva prep toolkit. You can use one colour to show key references and another to make essential information stand out. You could add a colourful edge to specific pages or mark...
Simple Doesn’t Mean Easy
The viva isn’t hard to understand. You do the research over years, write your thesis probably over months and then talk with your examiners for a few hours. In the viva itself you’re discussing what you’ve done, what it means,...
Preparing For A Video Viva
Since 2020 video vivas have become much more common, first as a necessity and then later as an accepted part of practice. If you have one soon or are wondering whether it might be a good option for you, consider...