Three Things
Do you want a simple task to help how you feel about your viva? Every day after submission, take five minutes to write down three things about your research: things that you know are good, that you’re proud of, that you...
viva confidence
When You Don’t Know
What would you do if you went blank or froze or could only think “I don’t know”? It’s a situation you wouldn’t want; it could even be stressful. It’s reasonable to think about it before the viva but unhelpful to...
What’s Important?
Two words to prompt reflection on nearly every aspect of the viva and viva prep. What’s important… …about your thesis? Explore it chapter by chapter with a notebook in hand. Make notes about anything that stands out to you. …about...
Recognise Your Strengths
As you prepare for your viva, take an hour to think about how you have changed during your PhD journey. What can you do better now than when you started? What have you learned how to do? What methods, processes...
One Day, Not Day One
The viva is a single day when you have to rise to the occasion – but not the first day of the journey that you’re on. Your viva could be difficult. You can expect to be challenged, but that challenge...
Saying Why
Sharing why your research is important is a natural topic of conversation at the viva. Saying why can sometimes be tricky. There are so many factors that you might want to share and so many different ways you might have...
Finding The Words
If you’re concerned about saying the right thing at the viva – or worried about saying the wrong thing – then invest time before then in finding the words to share your research. Write summaries to draw out key points....
More Or Less
Before your viva, work to feel more confident rather than less nervous. The importance of your viva doesn’t change: you feel nervous because it matters. Your confidence levels can increase though. You can reflect on your experiences. You can remind...
A Constellation Of Confidence
As you prepare for your viva think about a Situation where you did something well. What was the Task that you were trying to accomplish? Was there a goal you were aiming for or a problem that needed a solution? Whatever the...
Certainty
You can’t know in advance what questions you’ll be asked at your viva. You can’t know how long it will be. You can’t know exactly what opinions your examiners will hold. A viva experience happens based on a range of...