Hi all

You might remember me from my frantic posting about my last minute submission of my PhD. :) Thanks again, btw, for the support.

I thought I might update everyone who was rooting for me.

So.. I submitted my dissertation, went on leave for a week and then life returned to normal. I was told I shouldn't expect any feedback for 6 weeks, so I put it out of my mind. On some level I thought I should start preparing for the viva, but honestly I couldn't face it..

I fell seriously ill and was out of the office for almost a month. In that time my reports from the examiners came back, but I was mostly too sick to care. Luckily they seemed mostly positive with only minor suggestions that would have to be addressed before the viva.

I came back to work this week, finished the revisions on Monday - frustrating because although they were small things I couldn't help but feel that someone was "interfering" with my ideas... Silly of me, because it is intended as constructive criticism. I was told that things would have to go very wrong at my defense to suddenly end up with major corrections or R&R, although I have heard horror stories!

Today I've started with my viva prep. I have a little over a week (but I'm working, so mostly only evenings and no weekends because of family/social obligations). I'm nervous, but I feel like if it is a fair discussion on what I've done I should be fine. I'm worried that I will be asked questions about things that fall outside of what I've done. i.e. "future work" questions. It's an open event with lots of colleagues attending so in a way I'm almost more nervous about looking ill-prepared in front of them... Worst part is that the examiners are all abroad, so it will be via teleconference but with an audience! Has anyone defended in similar circumstances?

Thanks!

I haven't but if they've sent you corrections, they can't grill you on mistakes, so I don't think you should worry.

It sounds like you'll just have to present your findings to a larger audience?

Btw which country are you in? This is an interesting way of examination.

How come they've actually sent you feedback prior to the viva? My viva is next month and the uncertainty is killing me.

Hi all
It's not a final report from the examiners, they have to submit a report pre-viva so that the uni knows that all examiners agree that a viva should be held (it is possible to fail outright). More serious issues will come up at the viva, and depending on how you address (defend) them, it might become minor/major corrections or R&R. But let's hope not, my supervisors seem to think it should be okay. :-)

Oh and I'm in the Netherlands, but doing a dual-site PhD with a UK university.