Diary of a Viva Ninja: Day 2
So I’ve finally got a date for my Mock-Viva – mid-October (it’s always busy at the start of term, and my fantastic supervisor has a lot on his plate). A chance to rehearse the viva experience in front of a couple of academics asking questions, having a date in place for my MV makes the whole thing that little bit closer and more real.
Because I believe you can never be over-prepared I now have in place:
Mock-Mock – with writer friends in Stroud roleplaying the examiners and chair. A chance for them to mock me!
Mock-Viva – on campus at the University of Leicester with a couple of academics.
Viva – the big day! With internal and external examiners, possibly a Chair, and even your supervisor in attendance (although they are not allowed to speak).
Although one cannot pre-empt every question, and have off pat every answer (indeed one does not want to sound like answers are memorised or on ‘auto-cue’) it is wise to start practicing articulating one’s research and being able to defend it in a rigorous discussion.
So, with the help of my Viva cards, that’s what I’m going to start doing.
Meanwhile, here are the tips from my doctorate friends:
Right at the start of the Viva, greet the examiners/chair, shake their hands, and thank them for giving you their time and expertise.
Remember you are not ‘under attack’ – do not become defensive. The examiners want to engage you in intellectual discussion about your research. They have spent time and effort reading through your thesis. Appreciate the skill of their questions.
Take plenty of notes.
Remember the examiners are on your side.
Be confident!
My other Dr friend added: https://port.sas.ac.uk/mod/page/view....
The advice in a nutshell from ‘The Viva as an experience’ was:
Be yourself.
Have confidence in your own work.
Take your time.
Reflect and answer thoughtfully.
And remember – this is a chance to present your work. See it as a positive experience.
Until tomorrow, Shadow-huggers! Walk with the lightness of a grasshopper on a blade of grass.
