Three Nervous People
In your viva, you don’t necessarily have a monopoly on recognising that it isn’t a typical day.
You: I did this work, but it’s important and I want this to go well, and I wonder what they’ll ask me first…
Your Internal Examiner: have I forgot anything? I hope I’ve made a note of everything, I do so want this to go well…
Your External Examiner: I hope the candidate isn’t too nervous, they’ve nothing to worry about, I really want this to go well for them…
Some vivas have independent chairs too. Some candidates invite a supervisor to observe. But all vivas have at least three talented, hard-working, prepared people in them. People who could all be a little nervous at the start about this exam that they want to go well.