Three Things
Do you want a simple task to help how you feel about your viva? Every day after submission, take five minutes to write down three things about your research: things that you know are good, that you’re proud of, that you...
reflection
What’s Important?
Two words to prompt reflection on nearly every aspect of the viva and viva prep. What’s important… …about your thesis? Explore it chapter by chapter with a notebook in hand. Make notes about anything that stands out to you. …about...
The Exp Words
What kind of speaking are you expecting to do in your viva? Do you imagine you’ll have to explain what you did? Do you think you’ll simply expand on what you’ve done? Or perhaps you think you will explore what...
Three, Two, One
Three or more years of research and writing. Two to four weeks of preparation time. One day with a challenge. Put the viva in the right perspective.
The Red Button
There’s a knock at your door. A courier leaves a package in your arms. It’s not heavy, but it has a strange heft to it. You don’t remember ordering anything. You’re not expecting something. But here it is, addressed to...
One More Thing
There’s always more you can do. More ideas to be pursued to add to your research. A new perspective or an extra thought to include in your thesis. Another paper to read. And another! All that proofreading and there will...
How To Finish Well
Look back over the progress of your PhD journey. Your progress. Realise that there is something new that now exists – and the only reason it does is because you made it happen. Prepare for your viva carefully, invest time...
Alternative Routes
Things happen during a PhD. Deadlines slip, feedback is delayed or a promising idea reveals a sticky situation that has to be avoided. Plans change and alternatives must be found. One way or another you get the research done. You...
Assemble With Care
It occurred to me recently that the viva is a little like flat pack furniture: a wardrobe or chest of drawers that you have to assemble from eighteen pieces of wood with three kinds of screw and two very similar...
A Helpful Acronym
If you’re looking for some help reflecting on your research ahead of the viva, consider reading one of the chapters in your thesis and then respond to the following questions: What is valuable in the chapter? What difference does it make?...