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Nathan

I Heart Expectations

Daily Post

Roses can be red,

But can also be blue;

Viva expectations are patterns,

But might not hold for you.

 

Viva expectations tell a story of likely future experiences. Everyone you know from your department is asked to prepare a presentation, so it’s likely you will be too.

Viva expectations are not perfect. Everyone you know may have had a viva of around two hours, but yours is closer to three in the event.

Statistics and stories help. The details can really matter, but the real help comes from looking deeper. Nevermind the first question or how long, what’s the purpose and process at work? What do you really need to do and know?

Nathan

Loving Your Viva

Daily Post

A poem, seeing as it’s February 14th!

Most candidates won’t love their viva,

‘Though most PhDs won’t hate it either;

If you prepare and give it a chance,

Examiners won’t lead you a merry dance.

 

Believe it will be tough

You’ll make your day rough,

But trust what you know

And a good day will show.

 

Three verses suffice,

I’ll stop this device!

Reflect, prepare – give your confidence a shove!

Thus a greater chance your viva to like, if not love.

Nathan

♥ Your Thesis

Daily Post

I think you can love your viva, but probably only after the fact. Before it you can be excited, but you’ll still be wondering, “What if…?” about something. You can look forward to it, and it will probably go well, but you can’t love your viva until you’re all done.

Roses are red/Violets are blue/You’ve got this far/You’ve got this too!

You can only love the viva after the fact, but you can love your thesis and your research before you finish your PhD. Maybe you don’t feel that way now.

Find your reasons. Look for them. Don’t just read your work and try to memorise things. Look for reasons to be proud. Look for reasons to be happy. Look for reasons to shout from the rooftops that your thesis is amazing and you love it!

Get to the point where you ♥ your thesis and I think you’ll ♥ your viva too.