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Tag: thesis prep

Nathan

Famous Last Words

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We can express l(Yn) – r(Yn) as a linear combination of annulus diagrams a^m….

That’s how the last sentence in my thesis begins – please don’t ask me what it means!

Where do you leave things in your thesis?

I’m eighteen years past my viva so I don’t feel I need to remember everything now. For you, with your viva at some point in the future, it makes sense to have a good grasp on where you leave things in your thesis.

Many candidates give a lot of focus to the start of the viva: what might those initial questions be? You’ll never know for sure until your examiners ask. You’ll never know the closing questions until they’re asked too.

It makes sense to unpick the final pages of your thesis to look for possible areas of exploration:

  • What are your final words on your thesis research?
  • What future steps could someone take to continue what you’ve done?
  • What do you think of the end of your PhD research?
  • What do you think your examiners will ask?

The final sentence of my thesis was a conjecture. I had a theory, an idea I could never show to be true. At the time I had a hope. Eighteen years on I still have a little flicker of belief that I was probably right.

What do you hope you’ll be asked at the end of your viva?

 

PS: today’s post was a super-specific reflection but if you’re looking for more general viva help then check out the details for my upcoming live 7 Reasons You’ll Pass Your Viva webinars in June and July. The first of these is Wednesday 17th June 2026 and I have four more dates including evenings and weekends. Thanks for reading!

Nathan

A Few More Words

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Annotation helps you to prepare in two ways.

First, you have to think carefully about your thesis while you add the notes or emphasis you need.

Second, you have a more helpful resource for your viva.

 

Annotation is effective when you do it in two stages.

First, think carefully about what you really need or want your thesis to have. What do you want to see or find more easily? Make a list.

Second, consider how you will do each of the items on the list in a clear and consistent way. How can you make your annotations simple so they don’t confuse you?

 

In the big picture view of viva prep, annotation is a few more words to add to your thesis to help you get ready. With a little thought it can be a relatively simple exercise to make your thesis better.

What do you need? How will you do it?

Nathan

Under The Surface

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There’s a lot in your thesis.

You created a record of what you did, how you did it and why that matters. Whatever the format or discipline, your thesis describes problems that you’ve solved or addressed.

You might share hints about obstacles that got in the way or ideas that you weren’t able to develop fully. There will be good stuff, tough stuff, simple stuff and difficult-to-talk-about stuff.

There’s a lot going on under the surface of the many pages of your thesis. Reading it carefully ahead of your viva is essential for being ready to talk about your research with your examiners.

Nathan

Analyse & Annotate

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A helpful part of viva preparation is making your thesis ready for the viva. Then, throughout your discussions with your examiners you have a silent partner, able to support how you think and what you say.

You can write in the margins, stick Post-it Notes in, highlight and underline and do anything to annotate the book and make it better.

How can you make your thesis easier to navigate?

How can you make things easier to find?

How can you make things easier to see at a glance?

Those are the key questions that help you make a well-annotated thesis. You have to analyse what you have and annotate to make it better for you in the viva. Easier navigation could be achieved with Post-it Notes or highlighter tabs. A brief note at the start of each chapter could make things easier to find. Consistent highlighting practice might help you find key words and ideas at a glance.

Analyse and annotate. Find a system that works for you. Make a list, do the work and then benefit.