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Tag: viva process

Nathan

“Have A Great Time”

Daily Post

…is a sentiment that is a bit like “Good luck” or “Don’t worry” when related to the viva. It’s very well meant, but there might not be a lot that you can do directly.

While you can’t control whether or not you will have a great viva, you can influence things. You can:

  • Do the work
  • Plan and prepare.
  • Check the regulations.
  • Reflect on your PhD journey to build your confidence.
  • Check out your examiners.
  • Read, review and rehearse.

Having a great time at the viva does not rest on good luck. It won’t happen if you simply don’t worry. As with all of your PhD success, you have to do the work.

Nathan

It’s One Day

Daily Post

That’s the viva: one day after many days.

A few hours after several thousand hours.

One conversation after many conversations.

One more challenge after many, many challenges.

 

Your viva is a few hours on one day. A conversation that matters. A real challenge after you have already overcome a lot of challenges. It’s not trivial but nor is it so far above and beyond anything you’ve done and everything you’re capable of.

You did the work over many thousands of hours. Show up and do a little more.

Nathan

Don’t Wait

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Don’t wait until your viva day to think about how you explain your contribution.

Don’t wait until your viva day to wonder about what your examiners might ask.

Don’t wait until your viva day to experience what it’s like to be asked a question about your work.

Don’t wait until your viva day to find out what vivas are like.

Don’t wait until your viva day to know whether or not you’re ready.

Nathan

Start Well

Daily Post

The simplest way to start your viva well is to follow three steps:

  1. Get ready beforehand. Read, review, rehearse and generally be prepared.
  2. Understand what to expect. Check regulations, learn from viva stories and act accordingly.
  3. Show up ready. Be on time, have what you need and know what you’re there to do.

Start well by showing up ready, prepared and knowing what you need to do.

 

PS: if you want to know more of what to expect from the viva and what you can do to be ready, take a look at my upcoming Viva Survivor webinar on March 27th 2025! A 3-hour session, follow-up resources and a catch-up recording.

Nathan

Just Breathe

Daily Post

The viva is not a race, a quiz, an interview, a trial or an ordeal.

When your examiners ask a question, you can take your time.

Breathe. Just breathe.

Take a beat to check you understand the question or comment. Take a beat to think about how you’ll respond.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

Then speak – unless you need more time to think, in which case take more time to think.

The viva is not a race.

Nathan

Look & Find

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Look for the good stuff in your thesis. You might find typos or mistakes. These are good to know about, but it’s far more important to look for the contribution.

Look for people to help you get ready for your viva. Look for the right people: ask early for help, be clear and make sure you ask people who can really help you to get ready.

(and when you can be someone who offers help to others getting ready)

Look for expectations about the viva. If you’re not sure what to expect take the time to find out more. Again, ask the right people the right questions and you’ll find what you need to get a good sense of the viva.

For so much of the viva and viva prep, you have to see things clearly. And to do that you have to take the first step and look.

Nathan

What’s Missing?

Daily Post

When you read through your thesis to get ready for your viva ask yourself, what’s missing?

When you make a plan for viva prep, take a short break, review it and ask yourself, what’s missing?

If you write a summary of your methodology, or of your examiners, or a cheatsheet of key points, take time at the end to reflect and ask, what’s missing?

As you pause and get your thoughts in order to respond to your examiners, take an extra beat and consider, what’s missing?

 

At any of these points you might reflect and conclude that nothing is missing! And that’s fine.

Still take that little moment, whenever it is, to ask what’s missing? – make that extra little effort to do your best.

 

PS: If you’re looking for more things to add to your viva prep plan or just more things to reflect on then do take a look at the Viva Help Bundle, still half price until Friday as a result of my little birthday sale!

Nathan

You Make It Good

Daily Post

Remember that the contribution in your thesis is only there because you did the work.

Remember that your thesis, imperfect though it probably is, only exists because you took the time to write it.

Remember that you have got to your viva because you put in the effort over a very long period of time.

Whatever your research, your thesis and your viva have that make them good is because of you.

Nathan

Hole In One

Daily Post

It’s really unlikely that any person playing a game of golf – even the most experienced professional – will get a hole in one during a game.

It is still possible though. Players do get them from time to time, but it’s not why most people play.

Similarly, at your viva it’s possible you’ll get no corrections but it’s not very likely. It’s possible your viva will be finished in less than an hour but there’s not much that you can do to bring it about. And it’s possible that you’ll be asked a question that brings you to shocked silence, but far, far more likely that you’d have something to say.

You didn’t do all of that the work for a quick viva, an easy time and a hope that you wrote your thesis perfectly. You did the work and in the process learned how to do it well. You learned how to be a good, capable researcher.

Now the viva is your time to show your examiners you can do it. It’s not a rush, it’s not a game and it’s not done with a hope that it will be done as quickly as possible.

Nathan

Getting There

Daily Post

How are you going to get to your viva?

If your viva is on campus, what route are you taking? Are you relying on public transport, driving yourself or getting a lift from a friend or family member?

When will you leave to be on time (or as early as you like)? How much time are you allowing in case of a delay?

What will you wear? What will you take? What will you take just in case you need it?

Decide in advance so that you remove some pressure – and hopefully stress – from your viva day.

(if your viva is going to be over Zoom many of these questions have counterparts worth considering)

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