I think most of us are from the UK, but we have some international members.

I love the fact that results often raise more questions than they answer. Therefore, there is always a quest to find out more.

Yay, well done Anothercathy, that is fantastic news . I have just posted a topic about preparing for mine and it would be great if you could add some input.

I am really pleased it was a positive experience for you also, it is easy simply to hear the horror stories.

Well done you.

Another viva post from me but now I have my date (6 weeks), I want to make sure I do the best job I can. I have been reading one of the books recommended by someone one here (thanks) (Tinkler & Jackson - The Doctoral Examination Process), but obviously I need to do my own preparation.

Is it too early too start? I am not sure. It seems that there is lots I could do in terms of writing summaries, thinking of tricky questions, checking for typos/errors in my thesis etc, checking my undestanding of key models I have discussed etc. I don't want to over prepare and simply increase the anxiety but on the other hand I don't want to go in feeling underprepared. I know you can never guess all that will be asked but it is good to have done some prep work.

My supervisor will be giving me a mock viva so that will be great (well, good practice, scary experience!) Would you start now in my position? I should also say that I am teaching, so do have other things to focus on (plus some writing up of papers if I get the chance).

Hi 404, mine is in 6 weeks. I am not sure my info was that useful, Kronkondile offered some great advice. I am starting to get a little scared!

Sorry for the hijack anothercathy, I hope you are still out celebrating and that is why we ahve not heard from you.

I have been wondering also.

Good luck insomniac, you are doing the right thing. Hope the Dr is helpful.

Hi

I would echo what sixkitten said. I have been lucky in that there was a huge overlap between my job and PhD topic for the first 3 years (was a f/t job). I will be honest and say that I too had little time out and worked weekends, evenings etc. It is tough but doable if you are prepared to make sacrifices.

Good luck!

Hey fellow fluffy (maybe it is a psychology thing!)

Sending confident vibes your way.

Thanks guys. Jojo, I have felt like that from day one! I can't believe it is actually going to happen.

Sorry for the double emoticon!

No advice as such as I have only just been give my date.

I went to a viva workshop thing the other day and they said that the viva is likely to consist of four main questions (social sciences). This obviously differs according to discipline though and was not what I expected at all.

Other advice was to be willing to admit mistakes if they spot them (rather than dig yourself deeper!) and say that you could have done x, y or z better.

Lots of people have told me that it is a really positive experience as you get the chance to discuss your subject with two experts in the field. I am holding onto that thought and hope that this is your experience tomorrow!

Good luck for tomorrow. I would try (hard I know), to relax today and not last minute cram. Also, do you have an outfit sorted? Knowing that I would smart (yet confortable) would give me some confidence, although that may not work for everyone.

Hope all goes well and please let us know.

I only submitted on the 5th Feb and now I have the date for my viva (2nd April), I can't quite believe it. I really thought it would be May, most likely late May. Ah well, I suppose 6 weeks of panic is better than 12 or 14!

Now the work starts again......

How did it go?