Daily viva help for PhDs
Nervous and confident aren’t polar opposites. If you feel nervous about something – like, say, your viva – then you’re recognising it’s important. Nervous isn’t the same as being anxious or being worried, although it might not be comfortable. Nervous...
What if it gets silent in my viva? A small question I’m asked from time to time. A candidate hears that the viva is a discussion; discussions involve talking and so if the talking stops then it’s not going well,...
Hope for the best, plan for – well, let’s not say the worst! However, sometimes the best doesn’t happen and it helps to have a way to tackle problems while you’re getting ready for the viva. Maybe you read something that...
“Good luck for your viva next week! Don’t worry, it’s not the end of the world!” It’s not the end of the world – it’s the end of your PhD. Perhaps, after so long spent researching and working on something,...
Some candidates feel nervous because of what they did in their thesis. Is it enough? Some people feel nervous because of what they haven’t done. Have they missed something? Some feel nervous because of who there examiners are. Will their...
Worry Tummy – that’s what we call nerves and apprehension in our house. That’s what my daughter called it. Over time my wife and I took it on as part of the “secret language” of our family – the in-jokes,...
Whatever you feel about your viva, reflect and think about what that means you have to do. Feel nervous? Why? What’s at the root of that? What could help? Feel anxious? What’s the problem? Who could you turn to for...
Some things just are, in life and in the viva, Typos don’t indicate that you’ll face stern questions or tough corrections. Silence in the viva doesn’t mean that anything is wrong. If you pause to think then your examiners don’t expect...
It was a gift from my daughter on Father’s Day a year or two ago. I love my paperweight. It feels like I’ve always had it. Whenever I feel nervous before a webinar – which is every time I deliver...
You could feel happy at your viva because of the opportunity to talk with two experienced academics about your work. You could feel happy that your PhD journey is almost finished. You could feel happy that your hard work has...