You Are Here

Tag: advent

Nathan

Up Or Down?

Daily Post

I’ve always thought it funny that advent calendars are counting down the days to Christmas but the numbers on the doors increase. Counting down or counting up?

It makes me think of the viva (as lots of things do!) and the different ways that people approach getting ready:

  • Some people count down the days to their viva and wonder if they’ve done enough to be ready.
  • Some people with a plan mark the days as they get closer and think, rightly, that their prep is adding to being ready.
  • And perhaps another useful approach would be to treat these days as adding to the overall experience of being a good researcher.

Every day between now and your viva, however long you have, means one more day of doing the work.

It doesn’t matter how you record it. It’s one more day with more opportunities to get better and become more prepared.

 

PS: One opportunity for getting ready for your viva is my Viva Survivor webinar this Wednesday 3rd December 2025. I’ve shared this session more than 400 times and it is my comprehensive live session on getting ready for the viva. Registration closes tomorrow afternoon so check the link now for full details of what to expect from the webinar!

Nathan

Counting Down The Days

Daily Post

Advent calendars are neat ways to lead up to Christmas. A little fun, a little reminder that something nice is coming. A way to build up excitement.

Often viva candidates do the opposite when leading up to their viva. Where an advent calendar increases – 1st December, 2nd December and so on – candidates count down. Only three weeks left. Only ten days left. Only two days left. For most, probably a way to build up discomfort or worry.

It is important to keep track of the days if you’re preparing. There’s no need to rush preparations, but you still need to get what you need to do finished. Instead of marking days down though – seven left, six to go – write down what you did each day. Like an advent calendar, reveal the gift you’re giving to yourself.

Every day, as you lead up to the viva, record what you’re doing to get yourself ready. Provide evidence for yourself that you are a capable, talented researcher, not just someone counting down the days.