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Tag: the paperweight

Nathan

An Unlucky Date?

Daily Post

I very rarely say “good luck” to someone – and in particular I don’t say it to a PhD candidate who has their viva in the near future.

I don’t believe in superstitions but have written before about my good day socks, the paperweight on my desk and listening to music to help me get ready.

Good luck and superstitions? No.

Best wishes and support? Yes!

Your viva won’t be harmed if it is on Friday the 13th. You won’t pass your viva because of your socks either but you might feel better if you do things to steer your confidence and nervousness.

You don’t need luck but you might benefit from taking specific actions, using placebos or rituals to help you feel better.

 

If you’re not sure what you need to steer your confidence then the process is simple. Reflect on what you could try to come up with options. Then decide on what you will do.

You don’t need luck to pass your viva – but you might need help to build your confidence.

Nathan

Comforting Objects

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I recently re-read Pat Thomson’s excellent post from September about emotional support objects – things in her space that help her feel better in different ways. They support her writing by distracting, inspiring or helping her to feel grounded.

Pat lists examples like a favourite mug, a smooth river rock and a particular leather journal. The context for the blog post is all about writing but I know from my own experience that these kinds of comfort objects can offer a much wider support.

I have favourite mugs and a leather journal cover that help my writing but I also have a paperweight that I keep to hand when I’m presenting and artwork on my walls that makes me smile.

I don’t take chances when it comes to my work. I work hard, I prepare and then I also have whatever I need to comfort and support me.

 

All of this makes me think of the viva too – and you, dear reader! What do you need?

You might already have emotional support objects but if not consider what you could try using or having around to support you. What could help you to prepare well? And importantly, what could help you to feel well in your viva?

And if you’re still working towards submission then please have a good search around Pat Thomson’s really very excellent blog which has a treasure trove of posts about writing, planning and academia. It’s really worth diving into.

Nathan

Talismans

Daily Post

I have a paperweight on my desk.

It’s a Father’s Day present I received from my daughter a few years ago: a small white stone with a leaf and branch design on one side and the words “Special Dad” on the other.

It has absolutely nothing to do with my work, the viva or any practical element of me doing what I do.

And yet I can’t deliver a webinar if it’s not on my desk in front of me. I can’t feel comfortable talking to people through the little camera in my monitor if I don’t have it there.

It’s not magic but it is a little charm, a talisman, that helps me focus. It helps me get things done. It adds some element of support for what I need to do. It’s a reminder of what I’ve done in the past and what that means.

 

You’ve done a lot of work by the time you get to your viva. You don’t need magic when you are capable. When you’ve done the work, written your thesis and prepared for your viva you don’t need a talisman or a charm or some other kind of boost.

And yet you’ll probably feel better for having one.

What will yours be? What can you find that will just encourage you, remind you and help you to believe that you are as good as you think and as ready as you can be?

You can’t have my paperweight! So what will help you?

Nathan

Best of Viva Survivors 2023: Confidence

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Confidence is one of my favourite topics to explore when thinking about the viva. Good research, a good candidate and good prep can be assumed of any viva – but confidence makes a big difference for how someone engages with their examiners and the situation.

Here are five posts from this year that have dug a little deeper on the topic of confidence.

Tomorrow is the last round-up post of the year – and the last post of the year! – and we’ll come once again to the topic of surviving. How do you “manage to keep going in difficult circumstances”?

Nathan

The Paperweight

Daily Post

A small white paperweight, with a black etched design of a leaf

It was a gift from my daughter on Father’s Day a year or two ago. I love my paperweight. It feels like I’ve always had it.

Whenever I feel nervous before a webinar – which is every time I deliver a webinar – picking this little paperweight up is the action that helps me feel confident.

I’ve been a researcher-developer for nearly fifteen years. I’ve helped candidates get ready for their vivas for thirteen of them. I’ve delivered over 400 viva help sessions to almost 8000 PGRs, and been writing this daily blog for over six years.

Yet when I come to deliver a webinar this little paperweight is the thing that helps me feel confident. A small, solid reminder of why I do what I do. A little kickstart for my confidence.

You can’t have my paperweight, but you can find ways to be confident.

Think about what could help you. Is it reflecting on your PhD journey? Is it a routine that helps to centre you? Or perhaps even a small object or image that reminds you of who you are, what you can do and why you’re doing what you’re doing?

You can’t have my paperweight. You can find your own path to confidence.