Short & Sweet?
Some vivas are less than an hour! But you can’t realistically expect yours to be. You can hope, but what does that do for you? It’s much better to prepare for your viva and the discussion, rather than invest energy...
viva expectations
What You Expect
Every PhD candidate has expectations for their viva. Some expect it to be long. Some believe it will be difficult. Some expect that examiners will be harsh. Other will expect that it’s all a formality. And some don’t know what...
Bit By Bit
Idea by idea. Paper by paper. Day by day. There’s no other way to put your PhD together than keep showing up, good days and bad, and work your way through. Learn more, do more, achieve more and find your...
Risky
Are there risks of danger, problems or disappointment in the viva? In general when we consider risk it’s worth assessing three elements: The Bad Thing: the problem or outcome you’re concerned about. The Likelihood Of The Bad Thing: an honest...
Disagreeing With Examiners
Tension is created when opposing perspectives meet, in the viva or elsewhere. In daily life that could be very challenging depending on the situation, but it doesn’t have to be that way in the viva. Disagreement in the viva just...
A Delay
There are many reasons why a viva might be delayed. Examiner or candidate illness could lead to a date change. Traffic or transport disruption could lead to a last minute change. Simple, random life stuff could force back the start...
How Much Do You Say?
This is a very common question about the viva and I have a lot of thoughts! The most honest response is simply, “It depends,” because it really does depend on the question, the discussion, the situation and what is really...
The Whispers
There are lots of whispers, rumours and half-truths about the viva. …I know someone whose viva was almost a whole day… …I’ve heard the internal barely says anything… …why do we have to have them, what’s the point, most people pass anyway… …don’t get corrections,...
Blocked
If your thinking is blocked – you freeze or forget – in the viva: Stop. Just stop. Take a moment or two because you’ve probably not done that. Breathe. Before you can speak you need to have some air. Your...
The First And Last Questions
Old viva advice says that the first question you’re asked at the viva will likely be easy, while the last question likely won’t be. Like a lot of advice, there’s a kernel of truth to this belief but a lot...