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Tag: words matter

Nathan

Verb Carefully

Daily Post

If you’re getting ready to endure your viva then you’re probably not going to approach it with a good frame of mind. If you are hoping it goes well you’re probably downplaying the force of your other prep and work.

It’s one thing to worry that your viva will be a nightmare – a nasty noun could easily distract you – but the real concern is that you might worry!

Unhelpful verbs while you’re thinking about your viva and viva prep can have a big impact on your confidence. You might not simply be able to choose how you feel or choose the verbs you keep in mind but if you’re aware of negative associations you can make changes. Read the regulations for the viva, ask for support and find out more about what to expect.

How do you want to approach your viva? What do you need to change? What will you do?

Nathan

Considering Weakness

Daily Post

Words matter.

If you think part of your research has a weakness then how do you describe it to others?

Can you think of it as a limitation? Was it necessary given the circumstances?

Was the “weakness” a decision that you had to make? Was it a measured choice between alternatives?

If you had to make a change or adaptation due to circumstances does that make a difference to how you talk about it?

It’s OK to talk about things that could be better. It’s better, especially ahead of the viva, to think about how best to express it.

Words matter – both for how they’re heard by others and for how they have an impact on the speaker.

Nathan

Describing The Viva

Daily Post

The viva is an exam.

The viva is a discussion.

The viva is a challenge.

The viva is almost-but-not-quite the end.

The viva is a part of the process.

The viva is regulated.

The viva is a milestone.

The viva is an event that you can prepare for.

The viva is a few hours on one day.

What words are you using to describe your viva? How do you think they’re influencing you?

Nathan

Short Thoughts About The Viva

Daily Post

The viva is an exam.

The viva is a conversation.

The viva is a challenge.

The viva is a process.

 

The viva is planned.

The viva is unscripted.

The viva is unknown.

The viva is expected.

 

The viva takes time.

The viva is not trivial.

The viva can be stressful.

The viva is typically passed.

 

Your viva might be different.

And if it is your viva will still engage with the format and what’s expected from the viva.

Do any of the above descriptions resonate with what you’ve been already thinking about your viva? What might that mean?

And what do you then need to do?

 

PS: if you want to hear lots more thoughts about the viva then check out Viva Survivor, my upcoming live webinar on Wednesday 25th June. I’ve delivered this session with PhD candidates all around the UK more than 400 times, but this is only the third time I’ve opened up registration like this. A 3-hour live webinar, catch-up recording and follow-up materials all about the viva, viva prep and getting ready. Do take a look if you’re looking for more help for your viva.

Nathan

Rocket Science

Daily Post

I don’t know how common it is these days for someone to say “It’s not rocket science!”

The phrase used to indicate that a topic under discussion wasn’t all that tricky, compared to “rocket science” signifying ultra-difficult knowledge that not many would understand.

 

It occurs to me that someone reading this post might be thinking ahead to their viva and how they explain their topic. They might be thinking, “Actually – it IS rocket science!”

 

Whatever your field, depending on your audience, whenever you talk about your work you have to consider your words carefully. How do you engage someone with your topic? How do you explain the important parts? What do you leave out? Do you always need to share every detail? What do you have to start with? And what is the why of what you do?

These questions are useful when considering talking to a non-expert, but they apply when you talk to anyone about what you do.

They particularly apply at your viva. You might not consciously be considering them with every line of discussion but they’ll be in the background as you choose your words.

Rehearsal for your viva helps, no matter what you research. Whatever your topic, take time in your preparation to practise talking about what you do, responding to questions and finding the words to explore and explain your work.

Nathan

VIVA, Viva, viva

Daily Post

I regularly receive all three formulations of the above four-letter shorthand for “thesis examination” when people ask me questions:

  • VIVA is used when someone thinks there is an acronym involved or perhaps they are especially nervous, placing the event on a great pedestal.
  • A person might write Viva when they give some importance to the exam. It has a title. This is my Viva.
  • It’s most common for people to simply write viva – it’s also technically the correct way to write it as well!

When you’re asking a question, it doesn’t matter which spelling or arrangement you use, so long as you’re understood.

It helps to remember though that different words mean different things, and perhaps give a hint to how you feel about something.

If you’re preparing for your VIVA, is it possible that you’re anxious? And if so, what can you do to help yourself or get help?

If you think about your Viva are you sure you’re on track? Sometimes a person’s focus on the importance of a thing can lead to obscuring other details. Maybe take some time to check all is well.

And if you are simply working towards your viva then just take it nice and easy. How will you get ready? How will you get the help you need from others?

It takes a little work but not too much to get ready for a viva – but then if you’re writing viva instead of VIVA or Viva you’re probably fine in appreciating that!

Nathan

Revise or Review?

Daily Post

Words matter.

It might help to think of viva prep as revising for a test. If that’s how you think of it then follow that impulse. Make a plan. Consider what you need to do. Build structure to help you get the work done. Thinking of viva prep as exam revision has merit.

Another consideration could be that viva prep is reviewing things. You don’t need to revise and re-learn everything. You already know what you know. Because you’ve been doing this for years you don’t need to revise and cram your mind with information. Instead you just have to review who you are, what you can do and how far you’ve come.

Words matter.

What words are you using to describe your process for getting ready?

Nathan

Verbs In The Viva

Daily Post

At your viva will you face your examiners?

Will they confront you with questions?

And will you challenge their comments or criticisms?

In that small group will you talk or debate or discuss?

Do you have to answer every question? Or will you feel more comfortable as you respond to the questions and the conversation?

 

Words matter. Verbs mean different things. The words you use to describe your viva, your examiners and what you’ll do when you meet them can make a great difference to how you prepare, how you feel and how you behave on the day.

Find the right verbs for the situation.

Nathan

Invest In Prep

Daily Post

Viva prep doesn’t cost you twenty or thirty hours. You don’t simply spend all those hours on a task. You invest your time to be ready.

You invest your time in preparation to create a better situation in your viva and a better you for that situation.

Verbs matter. Invest rather than spend your time to be ready for your viva.

Nathan

The Exp Words

Daily Post

What kind of speaking are you expecting to do in your viva?

Do you imagine you’ll have to explain what you did?

Do you think you’ll simply expand on what you’ve done?

Or perhaps you think you will explore what your research really means?

In truth: you’ll do all of these and more. The viva is a discussion centred on your research, your thesis and you. The conversation can go in many different directions. Expect that you’ll explain, expand on and explore a lot of what you’ve done.

Don’t expect that your examiners will expose big problems though – or explode your central ideas!

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