I sat my viva yesterday. The viva was really great, the examiners were great. I thought if was
Going really well. I returned back into the examination room and sat down. I was
Then told of my offers. 1.my phd would be a MPhil
Or 2. A resubmit snd new viva within 2 years. I was totally
Shocked. I said that I would resubmit corrections within 6 months. I had a mock
and none if these corrections emerged. Generally I think
They want me to bring it up to date more. While
I accept all comments as being valid, I feel numb.
I didn't get a fail that's positive and I get to resubmit
again. Just feeling inadequate, embarrassed and silly really.
I am determined to fix my thesis once I get the comments, just a bit sadx:-(

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Hey Fionaoz, I'm so sorry to hear about the outcome of your viva... The final stages of a PhD are draining anyway so the news may make you feel even more tired and numb. But please, please don't think of yourself as inadequate or silly! As the days go by, you may remember ever more from the examiners' comments and thereby figure out how to feel about yesterday and what immediate steps to take to get your feet back on the ground. So until someone with a more extensive, experienced take on the PhD process than me replies to you in this forum (I'm very junior in this process), just remember that you are not the first nor the only one to have ever gone through this pain and that you are a very capable person - it's just that, for reasons that may become clearer as the days go by, the examiners felt that your effort was not quite enough this time around. Do get back in touch, Hedy

Hi Hedy
Thanks I needed that. I am feeling less tired
And exhausted. Everything you say is correct.
I am now looking toward the future. I think
It was the shock, the viva went well, so it completely
Took me by surprise.
Where are you up to in your phd thesis?
My supervisor has said that the examiners do think
It will pass with ammendments.
Thanks again Hedy you really helpedx(up)

Hi, Fiona! As you said yourself, you didn't get a fail and that's positive. Sure, it would be nice to be done with it, but you just have a little further to go. One thing I've come to realize is that while every thesis is unique, some areas of research are more challenging than others because the field is rapidly changing, or it's very innovative, or controversial, so you can't really compare your experience to others. Another thing I realized is that the examiners aren't out to get you - to the contrary. The thesis will be published for the whole world to see with your name on it, so they want to give you the opportunity to present the best piece of work possible.

Once you receive the list of comments from the examiners, you should probably go over it with your supervisor to make sure you're both clear about what's going to be done, and then do the same thing (as a checklist) before submitting your final revised manuscript.

It's understandable that you're shocked after having had a good mock viva. I suppose there could be a number of reasons why issues raised during the viva didn't come out. For example, sometimes the supervisor isn't as expert as the examiner in a particular area. Without stepping on your sup's toes, it might be a good idea to keep checking in with the examiners as you revise, and just work as closely as possible with them. (In other words, "When you need to get past the gatekeeper, make the gatekeeper happy.")

If you can, take the weekend off and deal with it on Monday once you're rested. Don't be sad - you're almost there!

Hi Dalmation
Thanks for the advice you gave me. I will do what you suggest. So glad I came on this forum. I'll just wait
for the comments and I will address them one by one. I'll keep my external involved if I can. I really appreciate
Your comments thanks. So appreciate that you took the
time to write all this really helpful stuff, thanksx:-)

Ah, that's better Fiona - well done for finding the strength to look forward! Dalmation's tips are ace and do calm the nerves, don't they? You may find yourself going through stages of ups and downs as you work through your amendments. Let me know how you get on and if you need a little booster. I admire people that get so far in the PhD process. I'm nowhere near submitting my thesis yet but I have a few friends who have finished theirs or are working on them now so I can sympathise with you. Stay in touch, Hedy

hi- you may have seen my posts but I was in the same situation. But- I was awarded my PhD recently after a resubmission- so it is possible - albeit after a bit more work (and probably anger/tears!!)


Please keep going. If you address all the points in the examiners report you should be ok. I know how bad it feels and I know no matter what anyone says you will still feel awful. My advice is to be proactive- the sooner you get started, the sooner you will get something ticked off the list, and the better you will feel :)

Such helpful advice. I will follow this. Can't thank you enough. Still painful but I can see the light.
Congratulations on being awarded your phd. You must feel do
Relieved and happy. I get my amendments soon, so I
will address them one by one. :-x