Extras/Essentials
For your viva you need:
- Your thesis;
- A notebook and pen;
- Something to drink.
These are the absolute essentials that every PhD candidate needs to have with them.
After the essentials there are lots of other things that might be a good idea:
- Something to eat, in a break or at the end;
- A list of corrections you’ve spotted;
- A prototype of something you made;
- A screen to show a video or software;
- The means to show, display or demonstrate a creative work;
- A digital copy of your thesis;
- Notes in some form;
- Other materials or resources, as agreed.
These are extras: useful for some people and not appropriate or needed for others. You’ll need to check the regulations, check with your supervisors and decide for yourself perhaps if you really need them.
An item on the list above might not be what you expect – or one item could be exactly what you need.
For some people these really might be considered extras after a thesis, notebook and a water bottle, just something else helpful to have with you.
For some candidates one of the “extras” could be essential to a good viva.
What do you need? What’s an extra and what is absolutely essential for you?
PS: you might need a little more support to help you get ready and feel ready. If that thought resonates then please check out my upcoming 7 Reasons You’ll Pass Your Viva live webinars. They’re running on Wednesday 24th September and Thursday 30th October and you can find more details of what you’ll find via the link. If you use code DAILYBLOGFAN before midnight tonight then you get a special discount too.