The S-word
I try to be as careful as possible using the s-word.
…should…
You should get ready for your viva this way…
You should be prepared for your examiners to ask…
You should start your viva prep…
Lots of well-meant advice is hard to hear, hard to act on or hard to follow because the person speaking throws the s-word in the mix. It can raise tensions or muddy expectations. It can increase pressure on someone struggling if they hear that they should do something, in a specific way or at a specific time, that conflicts with what they feel able to do.
Don’t ask for people to tell you what you should do to get ready for your viva.
Don’t tell people what they should do for their viva.
Share ideas. Say why something helped you. Tell them what could work. Say why something could be valuable.
Leave the s-word out of it.