Daily viva help for PhDs
Say it with emphasis as you get nearer to the viva: “If I’ve come so far, I must be so good.”
Not perfect, not omniscient, not without nerves for such an important event.
You’ve come so far on your PhD journey, so you must be good enough to pass your viva.
Making notes helps with the viva process.
You can make a note in the viva. It could be a helpful pause in the middle of a difficult conversation. It might help you to stop and unpick a challenging question.
You can make a note (or twelve) on your thesis before the viva to help make it a better resource for the viva.
You can make a note – lots of them! – for every time you think of something that you did that has helped you grow on your PhD journey.
And you can make a note, just one, and keep it close to you through the final stages of your PhD and viva prep:
“I could not have got this far by being lucky. I must be good.”
There are many ways to think about your thesis’ contribution.
Instead of coming up with a list of things you’ve done, start with why others might find something valuable in your research. What might they value? What would help them? What do they now know as a result of what you’ve done?
There are lots of things that could be valuable in research. Don’t compare your diamonds to other people’s. Look at why your work shines. What makes it valuable? What makes it special?
(you, for one thing)
Hypothetical questions are a pain for PhD candidates thinking about their vivas.
If. If this happens, I’ll be stuck. If that happens, I won’t know what to do.
Except it’s not just if. There’s always a then. In worry, a candidate might not see it, but it’s always there. There is always a course of action. It might not be something you prefer. It might be tricky. It might be uncomfortable.
There is always something you can do.
There are always hypothetical questions, and they always have actionable answers.
After your viva there’s more to do. Not your corrections, not wrapping things up, not admin. Your PhD is coming to a close…
…and the rest of your life is right there waiting for you.
You’re not the same. Your PhD means something. What might it mean for you?
A change of title? A mark of respect? New opportunities? More money? More responsibility?
While you’re doing your PhD, it could feel like the most important thing you’ll ever do. Afterwards, as you go on, you have to find something else. So what will it be?
I like this term. The longcut is the anti-shortcut. The longcut doesn’t cut corners or take chances with success. It’s slow, patient and persistent.
You didn’t take shortcuts with your research. You didn’t take shortcuts with writing your thesis. When you come to get ready for the viva, you don’t want to take shortcuts, you want longcuts. You want to do good work that will help you be certain of being ready.
Don’t skim your thesis the day before. Don’t rely on the bare minimum. Don’t just think about what might happen.
If you’re busy, still make time. Think about what will make a difference, make a plan and do work to get yourself ready for success.
Take the longcut.
You could be enthusiastic but untalented at the start of a PhD, and unsure but hardworking in the middle.
The only explanation for getting to the end is that you’ve done the work and done it well. It’s not an accident you’ve made it this far: you’ve done something that’s valuable, and you can only do it by being good at what you do.
The viva’s not a formality, it’s just one more challenge – a challenge you are fully capable of making a success.
They’re not always looking for answers.
Viva questions aren’t unfair, but they might not always be asked with the expectation of a definitive answer. It could be they simply start a discussion.
You might not know, your examiners might not know, maybe no-one knows “the answer”.
But you might have an idea or two. Or you might know why you don’t. Or you could discuss the topic with your examiners.
Another secret: you’re among the best people – possibly the best person in the world – to discuss the questions that are asked in your viva.
Before, you could be nervous. During, you’re engaged. After, you’re relieved.
Before, you can practise. During, you’re doing it. After, you’ve achieved.
Before, you’re the candidate. During, you’re the expert. After, you’re Dr Somebody, PhD.
At different times you can think and feel and do and be different things.
At all times around the viva, at the end of your PhD journey, you’re where you’re supposed to be.
In ten years of working with researchers I’ve met one person doing their second PhD. PhDs are fairly rare in the population; a person with two is like finding Bigfoot riding a unicorn!
For most candidates though, PhDs feel quite common. You’re around people all the time who either have them or want them. Often it can be easy to feel like maybe you’re not as good as others (hello impostor syndrome!). While you’re on track you’re not quite there yet. You see people who have succeeded and it’s easy to feel like you might not ever get there.
Well: give yourself a break!
It’s the first time you’ve done a PhD!
Whatever else you’ve done, whatever your achievements, interests or professional standing, this is a big deal. It’s important and it’s difficult – doubly difficult because usually you’re learning how to do research while doing it. Your process evolves while you do.
Appreciate that this is your first time. You don’t have to have all the answers. No-one expects the impossible.
If you feel like the PhD is beyond you, or the viva is out of reach, take a step back. Every day is an opportunity to get a little better, a little closer to “done,” but this is still your first time doing a PhD.