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Tag: viva preparation

Nathan

Layering Prep

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I’ve enjoyed learning to create digital art a lot so far this year.

(see recent issues of Viva Survivors Select for examples!)

It’s freeing to not have to worry about making mistakes while creating. The software I use allows you to add elements in layers: I can create a quick sketch, add a new layer and build on that with more detail. I can do some broad colour, add another layer and go deeper. Bringing all of these together creates a lovely composition.

(at least, I think it does!)

Consider viva prep in the same way. You’re layering pieces of work to create a beautiful effect. Layer annotation on top of spending time reading your thesis. Layer creating summaries on top of the time spent thinking while annotating. Layer a mock viva on top of a chat about your work with a friend. It all comes together to create a state of being ready.

Each layer matters but isn’t the whole picture. You need to bring things together to be well prepared.

 

PS: there are many more layers to the viva. You can find out more at this week’s 7 Reasons You’ll Pass Your Viva webinar on Wednesday 24th June 2026. There are full details for all my June and July webinars here. 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

First Draft

Daily Post

I cut a chapter from my thesis I knew I didn’t have the time to finish the research involved. I rearranged the flow of information in a few chapters several times to try and make the points flow well.

When I started my prep, after only a week away from my thesis, my first thought was, “Where’s that section? Where did I write about…?”

So how has your thesis changed between your first draft and the draft you submitted?

The massive amount of writing, rewriting, changing and editing makes reading your thesis a crucial part of viva prep so that you can be really sure of what’s in there for your viva.

Reading your thesis doesn’t mean rote memorisation. It means refreshing your memory. Read and annotate your thesis after submission so you have a good overall view of your thesis and a helpful resource for your viva.

Your thesis has come a long way from your first draft. Be certain of what you’re talking about at your viva.

Nathan

Finishing

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Viva prep is personal and purposeful. Make a plan that works for you, meets your needs and aligns with your situation.

Don’t cram: plan. Don’t squeeze everything in but allow time to do the work and allow space for adjustments. Leave room for changes so that you don’t make space for stress.

Decide what work you will do last. What final tasks might help you as you get within days of your viva? Will they be big or small? Will they be focussed on a particular aspect of your research or a more general final work?

How you finish your prep is as important as how you start. Finish your prep well. Decide in advance what you want to feel like or be doing and then you can plan a route to getting there.

Nathan

Thinking Spaces

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In the same way that editing your thesis has to be approached differently to writing your first draft, preparing for your viva needs a different process to how you might typically do work. A different space could support that very well.

If you had the choice, where would be a good space for you to get ready? Where could you think?

Will you work from home or go to the library? Would a few hours in a cafe be more helpful than your desk? And will you use different spaces for different tasks? You might prefer to curl up on a sofa to read your thesis but need a flat surface somewhere to annotate your thesis.

Viva prep requires some doing to support your thinking. Where will help you most as you do the work?

Nathan

VIVA Time

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Two days before your viva is a good time to think VIVA:

  • What is Valuable in your research? Write two sentences explaining something that matters.
  • What was Interesting when you started? Write two sentences that summarise what captured your interest.
  • Is there anything Vague or unclear in your thesis? Write two sentences to note anything that you might need to explain more at your viva.
  • What questions would you like to Ask your examiners? Write two questions you would ask given the opportunity.

A little time and a little focus can be a powerful way to help your viva prep.

Nathan

Two Step Viva Prep

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Step One: Make lists.

Step Two: Do the work.

Viva prep involves a fair amount of work, reflection, planning and time – but you don’t need to make it complicated.

 

PS: one more helpful viva prep step would be to subscribe to the Viva Survivors blog and get a new helpful post emailed to you every day!

Nathan

Building A Bridge

Daily Post

Public domain image of a small wooden bridge that crosses a stream between two close banks.

Viva prep is like building a bridge between where you are when you submit your thesis and where you need to be for your viva.

But the gap is not that wide. The bridge does not have to be that complicated.

Why take the chance that you might stumble when preparation is not much work compared to all the work you’ve done before?

 

PS: Viva prep is one of the big topics of my Viva Survivor webinar which is running on Wednesday 3rd December 2025. I’ve shared this session more than 400 times and it is my comprehensive live session on getting ready for the viva. Check the link for full details of what to expect from the webinar!

Nathan

Solving Viva Prep

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If 20 to 30 hours of viva prep is about right for most candidates then depending on someone’s plans that might mean:

  • 1 or 2 hours of viva prep every day over the course of two weeks;
  • 30 mins to 1 hour of viva prep most days over the course of a month;
  • At least 3 hours of viva prep every day if there is just one week left.

The last option is probably not desirable or helpful!

The other two could work and more generally you can find a solution for viva prep simply by thinking about your circumstances, needs and preferences.

How much time do you have? What pressures constrain you? How do you like to work?

Reflect on those questions and compare the timings above. Then you can start to think about how you might plan your viva prep in a kind and sustainable way for yourself.

Nathan

Viva Prep Recipes

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I do a lot of the cooking in our house. Most of what I make regularly is the result of recipes I carry in my head but I sometimes look in cookbooks to check my instincts around cooking times, temperatures and good ingredient pairings.

It also helps me to figure out alternatives too. Will this dish still work if I change the seasoning? Probably. Can I swap tomatoes for carrots? Maybe not. And what do I do if I need to make a big change from the process described?

 

Viva prep feels a lot like this too. There are a lot of good ideas for how to get ready but you have to find something that feels right for you and tweak it from there.

A mock viva is often held around two weeks before the viva date but a week before your viva or a month before could work too with a few adjustments.

It’s common to start viva prep by reading your thesis but journalling or making other notes is equally helpful and valid.

Ask around to find out what others did. Read blog posts for good ideas. Then assemble your own recipe for viva prep success.

 

PS: I released the latest edition of Viva Survivors Select this week. As with today’s post The Confidence Issue has lots of practical ideas from the Viva Survivors archive for building confidence for the viva!

Nathan

First Steps Of Prep

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Step one could be to breathe after submission and take a short break.

Your first step could be to read the regulations and check there’s nothing unexpected.

Top of the list might be to check in with your supervisor and see what they think.

And if you feel you’ve got a good handle on what you need to do then step one of viva prep could be to make a plan of how you’re going to get it done.

 

There are lots of really good, sensible things that a candidate might do to prepare for their viva. The starting point and the process is different for everyone: it depends on what you need, how you feel and what your circumstances are like.

Take charge though. Only you can take all the steps needed and only you can take the first step, whatever you need it to be.

 

PS: If you’re looking for more ideas of steps you can take to be prepared for your viva then check out my Viva Survivor webinar on Wednesday 3rd December 2025. This is my comprehensive live session on getting ready for your viva. There’s full details at the link of what to expect from the webinar and what past participants think of it. Please get in touch if you have any questions!

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