Ask Someone Why
Faced with a difficult question or unexpected comment in the viva, perhaps the best thing you can do is ask why. Ask your examiner(s) why that question is important. Ask why a comment matters to them. Ask why they think...
Daily viva help for PhDs
Faced with a difficult question or unexpected comment in the viva, perhaps the best thing you can do is ask why. Ask your examiner(s) why that question is important. Ask why a comment matters to them. Ask why they think...
When you’re getting ready for your viva it could help to ask yourself why a lot. If something is particularly strong in your research: why is this good? If you find a typo or a part that needs changing: why...
I’ve been looking through the Viva Survivors archives lately – there’s over 1500 posts to take a look at if you’re looking for more help! – and a post from the past that stood out to me was Your Greatest Hits....
Why did you work on your PhD? Is it because you had a passion? You had curiosity you had to explore? Did you want to work with your supervisor and together steered things to the work that became your PhD?...
Why did you start your PhD? Why did you keep going? Why did you make progress? Why were you ready to submit when you did? Why are you going to be ready for your viva? You had your reasons that...
Why? If you don’t know something in the viva, ask yourself “Why?” If you feel stuck during your prep, “Why?” If your supervisor makes a suggestion and you’re not sure about it, ask them “Why?” Or if your external says...
I’ve been asked a few times recently why I do a daily blog. The inspiration to do it came from Seth Godin, a person I greatly respect, who has published a daily blog for many years. I saw someone trying...
Almost finished your PhD but getting discouraged? Take a minute or two to reflect on one of these questions: Why did you get originally get interested? Why was this something worth doing? Why had no-one else done this before? Why...