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Nathan

The Same Viva

Daily Post

If you ask a friend about their viva experience you know that yours won’t be the same.

Even if they had it in your department with the same examiners your viva will be different because you are different: a different person with different research, resulting in a different thesis at a different time.

If you ask your friend and listen to their experience though you can:

  • Get a sense of what a viva is like;
  • Understand what you could do to prepare;
  • Consider the differences;
  • Ask questions to find out more;
  • Remember that you are not alone.

The last point helps a lot.

Doing a PhD, even in the best and most supportive departments, can feel like a lonely thing. Your unique position can make you feel that no-one else could understand.

You’re one of a kind but you’re not the only one. You won’t have the same viva but there’s lots that could be similar.

 

PS: I’ll be sharing more viva help tomorrow morning, Saturday 4th July 2026, at my 7 Reasons You’ll Pass Your Viva webinar. This is my first-ever weekend webinar and I’m very excited! Registration includes a catch-up recording, follow-up email and my pdf guide 101 Steps To A Great Viva. There are full details for all of my July webinars here. Hope to see you at a session soon 🙂

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