Your Theme Tune

One of my favourite conversations I’ve had with a PhD graduate was someone who told me that they made a playlist for their viva day. The day before they arranged five tracks to help them feel good – the ultimate goal being to give them a confidence boost.

Following that conversation I experimented with using music to prime myself. I now have a pre-webinar playlist that helps lift me up. I’ve been using it for years. I have positive associations with the playlist now; I know that I can listen to it in the hour before a webinar and it will help me be more myself, more confident, more capable.

What music would you choose to listen to before your viva?

If five pieces or tracks is too many to think of, how about one? What would your theme tune be for your viva? What would be your intro music? What music could hype you up?

I’m assuming that you’ve done all the necessary work for your PhD and done your viva prep of course! It takes more than a piece of music to get ready, but if listening to music could help you feel better wouldn’t you do it?

What other small things could you do?

PS: here’s the music I would most likely pick for myself (YouTube link)

PPS: and here are some past posts from Viva Survivors that are music-related!