So Far, So Good
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,...
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,...
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...
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?...
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...
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...
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 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...
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...
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...
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...