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Nathan

A Lot Of Thank Yous

Daily Post

Today marks fifteen years since I shared my first Viva Survivor session. That means it is fifteen years since the start of a long and thankfully continuing journey that has lead me to be someone who spends a lot of time writing about, talking about and thinking about the viva.

In particular, someone who thinks about how to help people with their viva: how to help someone know what to do, who to ask around them for help and how to deal with the feelings or problems they might have.

 

Helping was the start: “Can you help us out by doing a workshop for final year PhDs? We think it would be fun to call it Viva Survivor!”

Fifteen years ago today I arrived to setup and the person who booked me said, “Actually, there was a massive waiting list for this… Are you free any time next week?”

Viva Survivor was not an overnight success story though. I did the session at the University of Manchester several times a year for a few years, then another uni asked, then another and then I thought, “Hmmm… Maybe I should follow this…”

 

Over 500 viva help sessions in total, 9890 PhD candidates, three books, a handful of zines, a Kickstarter, 64 episodes of a podcast and almost 3000 daily posts later…

 

I am really glad that I followed this and very thankful for all the requests, invitations and help along the way.

A very big thank you to Dee-Ann Johnson and Jim Boran, the first people to ask me to do Viva Survivor for their PGRs.

Thank you to the many institutions who have invited me to share Viva Survivor over the years – and for inviting me back! Thank you to the many doctoral training centres and programmes who have also invited me to work with their cohorts.

Thank you to the many, many postgraduate researchers who have contributed to the success of Viva Survivor and this site by showing up, asking questions, sharing what I do, sometimes buying a book or booking a ticket for an independent webinar.

An enormous thank you to my wife and daughter who have heard all about the viva far too much for anyone.

And thank you, whoever you are, for reading this and the other posts I share.

 

Normal service resumes tomorrow. Today, find one person who has helped your journey and thank them 🙂

Nathan

Last Call For Summer Sessions!

Update

I have three viva help sessions running this week and there’s still time for you to join me!

7 Reasons You’ll Pass Your Viva is a tried and tested 1-hour live session of viva help. I’ve delivered it almost seventy times in the last three years. In one hour I break down what the viva is all about, how you can engage with it and what you can do to pass – and we still have time for your questions too!

The seven reasons I share are not tiny things. They’re not hacks, tips or dodges. They’re seven fundamental things to know, explore and hold on to. 7 Reasons You’ll Pass Your Viva is a 1-hour confidence boost. I’m sharing it three times over the next three days. You can find out more at these registration links:

Registration closes an hour before the start of each session; I won’t be running more until at least the autumn.

If you’ve already had your viva or have valued my writing or sessions in the past then please pass this on to someone who might need 7 Reasons You’ll Pass Your Viva.

Thank you for reading and thank you for your support!

Nathan

Nathan

Looking For Viva Help?

Update

This is an extra blog post today to say thank you for subscribing. This post is public on Viva Survivors but I won’t be publicising it on Twitter etc. It’s really just for you.

I’ve been writing this blog for over six years now and I have no plans for stopping. There are so many reasons why I keep doing it.

  • I know that people, like you, subscribe and read what I write.
  • I know that it helps people.
  • It’s helped me to have a practice, inspiration and an ongoing project.

It really does help to know that so many people like you subscribe. Thank you.

If you ever read a post and it sparks a question or you’re getting ready for your viva, do get in touch. I’m always happy to respond with some thoughts.

And if you’re looking for viva help right now then please take a look at my upcoming 7 Reasons You’ll Pass Your Viva sessions.

7 Reasons You’ll Pass Your Viva is a tried and tested 1-hour live session where I break down what the viva is all about, how you can engage with it and what you can do to pass. It’s a 1-hour confidence boost and I’m thrilled to be offering at different times on three consecutive days.

If this sounds helpful, check the dates and register soon: space is limited and I won’t be running more until at least the autumn. To continue saying thank you for your support, if you book in the next three days and use code CONFIDENCE you can save 20% on the registration.

If you’ve already had your viva and have valued my writing or sessions in the past then please pass this on to someone who might need 7 Reasons You’ll Pass Your Viva.

Thank you for reading and thank you for your support!

Nathan

Nathan

Viva Survivors: Your Questions Answered

Update

I’ve had a lot of fun delivering Getting Creative and 7 Reasons You’ll Pass Your Viva in the last month, and been floored by the support people have given them and how valuable they’ve said they were. So I decided to keep going with new ideas and a new session!

Viva Survivors: Your Questions Answered is a 1-hour webinar on Wednesday 13th May 2020, and is for anyone who has questions about the viva.

Maybe you want to know… How long are vivas? What are they like? What if I feel nervous? How do they start? What if I forget something?

These questions are really common, and it’s OK to ask them at the session. It’s OK to ask uncommon questions. It’s OK to ask general questions, vague questions, hypothetical questions; questions that come from not knowing something, questions that come from worrying about something, questions that come from being uncertain and being concerned. All questions are welcome, but the session is probably most valuable to PhD candidates who have either submitted and have their viva soon, or who have a few months to go before submission.

Tickets cost £3, £5 or £7 – you choose the price based on what you think is fair – places are limited to 75 participants and at registration you’ll be asked to share any questions you need answers for, so that I can create a structure for the session.

If you have questions about the viva, then please explore this site for help. Ask your supervisor, ask your friends, ask your institution – there are lots of people around you who will be able to help you with your questions.

Please also take a look at Viva Survivors: Your Questions Answered too, running on May 13th, to see if it might be useful 🙂