Silence
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,...
Daily viva help for PhDs
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,...
If you feel worried about any aspect of your viva, ask yourself why first. For example: “I feel worried about the discussion…” Why? “I’m worried I might forget something important…” When you know what’s behind a worry you can start...
It’s Friday the 13th and I’m not worried. I’m not particularly superstitious, so when this date rolls around or a black cat crosses my path or I spill some salt I don’t worry that that means something bad is about...
Don’t keep your viva worry bottled up in your brain where you can merely be anxious about it. Write it down. Tell a friend. Talk to your supervisor. Your worry could be unfounded. Talking to someone who has had their...
I ask “How do you feel?” a lot. By my records I’ve asked this question in seminars and webinars at least 300 times, to over 5000 PhD candidates. It’s good to reflect on in a seminar but that’s one moment,...
I looked back over the last three years to see how I’d been inspired by Halloween previously: Scary – confidence, weak spots and fears… Viva Horror Stories – telling tales, remembering reasons for confidence… Zombies And Vivas – a straight...
Ostriches, despite popular legend, don’t put their head in the sand to hide. It’s a common comparison to make for people avoiding problems though, I’ve used it here on the blog at least once before. In that post I encouraged...
If you’re not just worried about your viva but afraid, to the point where it is having an impact, you need to stop and find help. The right person could be your supervisor, a colleague, a friend or family member....
As I was setting up one of my last Viva Survivor sessions before social distancing (three months ago!), one of the participants piped up, “Are you here to put the fear of God into us?” The room had been quiet,...
What do you do if you feel something like this – afraid, nervous, worried – about the viva? Let’s ask another question: what would you do if you were unafraid, not nervous, not worried about your viva? You would prepare...