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Tag: reflection

Nathan

Today & Tomorrow

Daily Post

You can’t change the past even if you wanted to.

You don’t get a do-over if you faced difficulties in your PhD or have regrets for something that could have been – or if you simply know more now than you did then.

Whatever happened, whatever the reason, today you can change course. Today you can decide that the past doesn’t define you. You can go a different way.

Today you can change course and tomorrow you can take action. And, importantly, you can do this again and again, steering yourself closer and closer to who you want to be for your viva.

So what do you want to achieve for yourself before your viva? How do you want to present yourself and your research at your viva? How might you change course? And what will you do to get to your destination?

 

PS: my final 7 Reasons You’ll Pass Your Viva webinar is running tomorrow morning, Wednesday 15th July 2026 at 11am. This is my last webinar before my summer break – so I’ve decided I’m really going to make it a good one! šŸ˜‰ Registration includes a catch-up recording, follow-up email and my pdf guide 101 Steps To A Great Viva. Hope to see you there.

Nathan

A Problem

Daily Post

When you have a problem in your research there are a lot of questions that someone could ask.

  • Why is it a problem?
  • How is it a problem?
  • When did you realise you had a problem?
  • Did you resolve it? How did you do this? Did you have to try anything else first? And can you think of any other way you might have approached it?
  • Was this a one-time problem? A recurring problem? Is there literature about this kind of problem – or even this specific problem?
  • What does it mean to resolve this problem?
  • How have you felt the impact of the problem?
  • How would you advise someone else who faces this problem or similar in the future?

When you have a problem in your research there are a lot of questions that someone could ask – and someone could be one of your examiners.

Consider the problems you’ve faced in your PhD before you go to your viva. The fact that you have faced problems is not negative: it means there plenty of things to talk about which can demonstrate your capability.

Nathan

A Final Conversation

Daily Post

That’s what my viva was.

Of course, I have told people about my research in the years since, but I moved away from my research discipline into different work. Since June 2008 I’ve never had the opportunity to talk about my PhD research with knowledgeable people who really wanted to know more.

(I’ve had plenty of small chats with polite people who probably regretted asking, “So what did you do for your PhD?”)

I don’t have any regrets but I didn’t know that was going to be the final real conversation I’d have about my PhD work. Your future plans might give you some confidence that there will be plenty more times to come when you can discuss all of what you’ve done…

…but if you’re not sure then please consider: if your viva was the final substantive conversation you would have about your PhD research what would you want to make sure you talk about?

Nathan

The Five Ends

Daily Post

The first is the end of your research. At some point, even if you’re figuring things out while writing, you have to stop doing practical research work.

The second is the end of writing your thesis. You submit your thesis, knowing that it’s probably not perfect but accepting that you’ve done all you can to make it good.

The third end is the end of your viva. Hours have passed after weeks of prep and you’ve succeeded! But you’re not quite done.

The fourth is the end of your corrections. You can hope you get none but most people get some. You likely will too. I hope it’s a smooth process for you!

The fifth and final end of your PhD journey is the opportunity for graduation. You might attend or might not but that’s the final, final end of your PhD. After that you’re officially Dr Someone.

That’s the end of your PhD and the beginning of the next chapter.

 

PS: you can find out more about the end of the PhD at my 7 Reasons You’ll Pass Your Viva webinar tomorrow evening, Wednesday 8th July 2026 at 7pm. Registration includes a catch-up recording, follow-up email and my pdf guide 101 Steps To A Great Viva. Hope to see you there – but if tomorrow is too short notice I have one more webinar next week!

Nathan

Problems Are Opportunities

Daily Post

Problems are only opportunities in work clothes.

I first came across this assertion many years ago when I first learned about creative thinking approaches. It’s fairly natural to be repelled by problems and think they’re only obstacles. Another perspective is to consider a problem as something to be worked at; it’s a more positive way of looking at things.

Any hint of a problem in your research, particularly around viva time, can be intimidating. There’s already enough in the viva situation to make a person nervous. A problem could go further and lead to stress – but if you shift your focus a little maybe there’s a better way to look at things.

A problem in your research or thesis could be an opportunity to make progress. It could be an opportunity to show what you know and what you can do. A difficult question at the viva might feel like a big problem, but it’s also a big opportunity to work and demonstrate the same knowledge, capability and determination you’ve shown in the past.

Research problems and viva problems can be opportunities for you to do more good work.

Nathan

Last, Final, Only or Next

Daily Post

How do you feel about these expressions?

  • The viva is your last chance to succeed.
  • Your viva is the final test of your PhD.
  • The viva is your only opportunity to convince your examiners.

These are sentiments that I’ve come across while doing my own PhD and in the two decades since. There’s a small hint of truth to them but the tone always works to weaken one’s feelings of confidence.

How about, “The viva is your next challenge”? As in the next challenge after successfully completing many others.

“The viva is your next opportunity to share your research” or “Your viva is the next chance for you to show what you can do”?

Words matter. Can you change the words you use to describe the viva or yourself?

Nathan

Everything & Something

Daily Post

You can’t do everything for your research, your thesis or your viva prep.

(and you don’t have to)

You must have done something good to get this far on your research journey.

(and you must be capable to have done it)

You don’t need to be perfect in any way – your capability and contribution are enough.

Nathan

Needing More

Daily Post

A PhD candidate can feel like they need more of lots of things.

More prep. More time. More work.

More papers in your bibliography. More results in your research. More page in your thesis.

What might it take for you to feel like you have enough?

Nathan

Hard Choices

Daily Post

If a decision in your PhD was difficult then there is probably something interesting to reflect on as you get ready for your viva.

  • What was the situation?
  • How did you assess your options?
  • Why did you make the choice that you did?

Hard choices might not be questioned directly in your viva but their impacts will likely be felt on your research and your journey.

It’s worth taking a little time in your preparation to reflect on how you progressed through difficult decisions.

 

PS: you’ll find advice for sharing your contribution at the viva in The Examiners Issue, the 11th issue of Viva Survivors Select which came out a week ago. The issue contains twenty posts from the blog all about examiners plus two new pages of viva help.

Nathan

The Tops

Daily Post

What’s the top paper you’d recommend someone read to start learning about your research?

What’s the top result of your PhD research?

What’s the top point you struggle to remember when you think about your research?

What’s the top question you hope to be asked by your examiners?

What’s the top question you really hopeĀ not to be asked by your examiners?

What’s the top thing you can think of doing to help yourself get ready for your viva?

It’s helpful, when getting ready for your viva, to start with the first of something: the best this, the top that, the number one thing – it gives a signpost to help you see what will be a helpful focus.

What do you do next?Ā And, beyond the list above, what other top things do you need to consider, do or find out more about ahead of your viva?

 

PS: if you’re looking for more general viva help then please check out the details for my upcoming live 7 Reasons You’ll Pass Your Viva webinars. The first of these is next Wednesday 17th June 2026 and I have four more dates. Registration includes a catch-up recording, follow-up email and my pdf guideĀ 101 Steps To A Great Viva. Thanks for reading!

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