If I can't handle this, how can I handle what is bigger that it???

P

Hi

I always feel that I am kind of weak when it comes to negotiative and communicative skills with my supervisors in the normal tutorials and meetings. And I can see it in their eyes that they know I am not a confedent person.

SO I always have the following question in mind:

If I can't handle this, How am I going to survive the VIVA ??????

I know its too early for me to stat worreing about this, but I can't really help it.

what is you advice? Can I practice giving speeches and defending my views? will this improve by time? or are their specialised courses and books for this??

M

Hi,

Basically *prepare*. Know your PhD inside out. Put yourself in the examiners position and write a list of all possible questions, particularly difficult questions you think they'd ask. Then *know* the answers. Remember a PHD is AN answer, not THE answer...so they will be critical.

Don't put yourself in a position where you can be tripped up i.e., failing to explain an argument or using references that you've not read.

Prepare a 5, 10 & 15 minute presentation. Even if they don't want any presentation you will probably get asked a general question about your thesis, so you'll have a good 10-15 minutes worth of confident prepared material to talk about.

M

The examiners generally aren't there to catch you out, but they will rigorously assess your knowledge and defense of your thesis. I don't think even the most confident of people cruise through their viva, everyone will have wobbly or waffly bits. However, if you really prepare, you'll probably have 70% of it nailed.

There are specialist viva courses in most unis. However, some do seem to place emphasis on viva horror stories - that rarely happen. Your university should also offer interpersonal skill courses and public speaking courses.

Books? I can't really think of any specific ones. Rowena Murray writes a lot on vivas - see this article and references therein:
http://education.guardian.co.uk/egweekly/story/0,5500,1042654,00.html

J

Hi PhD,

I'm 18 months in, and each month have to present results to a borad of 30+ people (inc. my sponsors). I used to dread these presentations, feeling just the way you do, but I promise that after a while it got easier, and I now see them as discussions, and chances to air difficulties in a friendly environment.

I think everyone feels a bit thick during meetings sometimes, even established researchers

P

I found the book 'How to survive your Viva' very helpfull indeed.. think I bought it off Amazon...

Maybe worth a look? don't think it was that expensive at all

P

Many thanks for th replies

They seem really rational and out of experience



I really need to have less panic and more preparation
thanks for the book names, they sound to be essential for a PhD student

L

i've been told confidence comes from knowledge. knowing what you're talking about, confidence will naturally flow. so the way to prepare is to know and understand your subject. then its just a matter of conveying what is in your head and explaining it to your listener.

i have dale carenegies book about public speaking, i am going to read it before my viva , i might have a quick look at it before my meeting with the dragons ie my sups lol

L

if i come across any pearls of wisdom, i will let you know!

L

i just read miss spacey, juno and pc geek, advice. excellent advice guys!!!

L

i found a free download version of the book. you can download it to pdf

the art of public speaking by dale carnegie

http://manybooks.net/titles/carnegieda16311631716317-8.html

P

Thanks Lara

The idea that confidence comes from knowledge is veryyy true

Its just that I need to prepare a little extra more since I am a shy person And thanks for the book link I will check it out now

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