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Nathan

Notice Of Submission

Daily Post

The notice of submission is more than a form with some dates on it. You’re saying I’m almost done.

Whatever work is still needed, now you really have a deadline. Now might be the time to start thinking about viva preparation and what you need from other people. If the selection of your examiners has not been decided then now is the time to talk to your supervisors and see what they are thinking.

And now is definitely the time, if you haven’t done so already, to read the regulations for your institution. Don’t assume you have a good handle on things because your friends and colleagues have told you bits and pieces: read the regulations, be sure for yourself and identify someone you can contact if you have any questions or if any problems occur between submission and the viva.

Start making lists when you hand in your notice of submission. What do you need? Who do you need it from? When do you need it?

And what’s your next step?

 

PS: one possible next step would be to check out the details for Viva Survivor, my upcoming live webinar on Wednesday 25th June. I’m regularly invited to deliver this session with PhD candidates all around the UK, but this is only the third time I’ve opened up registration like this. A 3-hour live webinar, catch-up recording and follow-up materials all about the viva, viva prep and getting ready. Do take a look and see if it might help you!

Nathan

Get Away

Daily Post

It would be nice to down tools, kick back and relax when you submit your thesis. You did it.

Wait, I mean: YOU DID IT!!!

It’s worth the exclamation marks because submission is an incredible achievement. One wish I have for all PhD candidates is that they could take a little time to relax and enjoy that feeling. I wish that they could get away and take a real break after all that work.

I also know that might be out of reach for many. Day to day life, responsibilities and resources might not allow for a holiday after submission. What will you do to enjoy that time?

The world won’t stop turning but perhaps you can halt the wheels turning when it comes to your research. Take a little break from your thesis and research after submission. Press pause so that when you start your preparations you’re more rested and more able to engage with the work you still have to do.

Nathan

3 Questions To Ask Your Supervisors Before Submission

Daily Post, Sabbatical

Viva preparation starts after submission, but the right questions – asked in advance – can help you submit well and set up your success in your preparation and viva. Before submission, ask your supervisors the following and build on these in discussion:

  1. Who do they think would be good examiners and why? Many supervisors invite opinions from students; final decisions rest with supervisors. You could offer ideas, but understanding the criteria they are using (or the names they are choosing) can give you confidence for the process and useful information.
  2. In advance of submission, what constructive feedback can they offer of your thesis? Make the most of this. Use their thoughts to help how you communicate your research.
  3. What are some of the trickiest areas they see candidates struggling with in the viva? Generally, what questions or topics do they see problems with? Or what are topics that they see as perfectly natural to talk about, but which candidates might not prepare for?

These questions will not paint the whole picture for your thesis, your preparation or the viva. They will be a good start. You can trust that your supervisors want you to pass, and want to give you appropriate assistance.

Use these discussions to help your submission and state of mind as you head towards the viva.

 

Viva Survivors Summer Sabbatical: I’m taking July, August and September off from new writing to concentrate on other creative projects, so will be sharing a post from the archives every day throughout those months. Today’s post was originally published on February 19th 2020.

Nathan

7 Questions To Answer At Submission

Daily Post, Sabbatical

There’s a few key things it would be good to know around submission time. Questions which occur to candidates all of the time, but which I very rarely have answers for because they’re particular to their institution. If you’re submitting soon, find answers to these questions:

  1. In what time frame does your university hope to hold your viva after you submit?
  2. Under what circumstances would you be liable for fees after submission?
  3. Who will be in the room for the viva?
  4. What are the range of possible awards or results for the viva at your institution?
  5. In particular, how long are you given for minor corrections at your institution?
  6. What is the post-viva process at your institution?
  7. What are you unsure about when it comes to the logistics and process of the viva?

You’ll likely pick up answers to most of these questions by osmosis during your PhD. It’s within your power to find answers to all of them, and find out how things are done at your university.

If your answer to Question 7 is anything other than “nothing” then find someone who can help. It’s up to you.

 

Viva Survivors Summer Sabbatical: I’m taking July, August and September off from new writing to concentrate on other creative projects, so will be sharing a post from the archives every day throughout those months. Today’s post was originally published on December 11th 2017.

Nathan

Before You Prepare

Daily Post

Viva prep is a set of tasks and activities you complete between submission and the viva which help you to feel ready for the viva. Before submission, to create a good space for your prep, do the following:

  • Read the viva regulations for your university.
  • Gather some nice stationery to help with note-making.
  • Sketch out a rough plan for how you will do your prep.
  • Ask your supervisor about their availability.
  • Ask friends and family to support your prep time.
  • Finish your research and your thesis.

Of course, the last one is pretty important!

The other points are also importatant but they’ll take up far less time to help you make a good space for getting ready for your viva.

Nathan

What Now?

Daily Post

You’ve written a thesis that captures a signifiant and original contribution to your field.

What now? What could you or someone else do to build on these ideas? How might this inspire someone else?

 

You’ve done several weeks of prep for your viva and there’s only a few days to go before the big day.

What now? What do you need to do to feel prepared? Who can help and what are your priorities?

 

Your viva is done and it’s been a great success, just like you hoped.

What now? What do you have to do finish things off? When and how will you get corrections and any other admin done?

 

Everything is finished. You’ve reached the end of your PhD journey.

What now?

Nathan

Unnecessary Prep

Daily Post

You don’t need to work from dawn until dusk every day between submission and the viva in order to get ready.

You don’t need to read and re-read your thesis multiple times. You don’t need to check every paper you’ve cited or considered.

You don’t need to find every typo or amend every clunky sentence. You don’t need to fill the margins of each page with notes and reminders.

You don’t need to scan through lists of questions and worry about what you might be asked.

And you don’t need to be perfect or obsess about now becoming better.

 

Viva prep helps you get ready for the particular challenge of the viva. It’s a short period of time to reflect, remember and rehearse. The goals are quite small. The need is not so great. You have to prepare, but the work you’ve done so far already carries you a long way.

Nathan

Almost There

Daily Post

You’re so close at submission. It may not feel it, but the vast, vast majority of the work you need for your doctorate is done. Months upon months of hard work and you’re almost there…

…but you’re not yet. Yet. You will be soon.

Hold on.

Rest, ready yourself, read your thesis, rehearse for the viva, do whatever you need to so you feel good for this big, important day. You’re almost there, and it won’t take much to get there, or take much while you’re there.

Your viva isn’t the most important thing that you’ll ever do. Your viva isn’t the peak of your PhD.

Nathan

3 Questions To Ask Your Supervisors Before Submission

Daily Post

Viva preparation starts after submission, but the right questions – asked in advance – can help you submit well and set up your success in your preparation and viva. Before submission, ask your supervisors the following and build on these in discussion:

  1. Who do they think would be good examiners and why? Many supervisors invite opinions from students; final decisions rest with supervisors. You could offer ideas, but understanding the criteria they are using (or the names they are choosing) can give you confidence for the process and useful information.
  2. In advance of submission, what constructive feedback can they offer of your thesis? Make the most of this. Use their thoughts to help how you communicate your research.
  3. What are some of the trickiest areas they see candidates struggling with in the viva? Generally, what questions or topics do they see problems with? Or what are topics that they see as perfectly natural to talk about, but which candidates might not prepare for?

These questions will not paint the whole picture for your thesis, your preparation or the viva. They will be a good start. You can trust that your supervisors want you to pass, and want to give you appropriate assistance.

Use these discussions to help your submission and state of mind as you head towards the viva.

Nathan

A Haiku For Submission

Daily Post

Done? Sort of… Almost.

Hard work done, but still ahead,

One challenge remains.

 

Submission is a milestone, but not the end of the journey. You’ve done most of the work of your PhD, but there are difficult things to come. If you’ve got as far as writing and completing your thesis then you’re more than capable of preparing for and passing your viva.

(more viva-related haiku here!)

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