From primary school to PhD
TLDRIn this inspiring video, the creator shares their journey from struggling with mathematics in school to successfully defending their PhD in atmospheric physics. The script details the intense preparation for a viva voce exam, reflecting on personal growth and the importance of determination. After overcoming setbacks and burnout, they emphasize the value of hard work and perseverance, ultimately achieving their PhD with minor corrections and a renewed sense of accomplishment.
Takeaways
- 🎓 The script details the journey of a PhD candidate from the beginning of their academic career to the final viva voce exam.
- 📚 The final exam for a PhD, known as a viva voce, is an oral examination focused on discussing the candidate's thesis and its broader implications.
- 🔍 The candidate's thesis is on atmospheric physics, specifically about the influence of quasi-biennial oscillations in the polar stratosphere on the troposphere.
- 🤔 The viva voce process involves intense questioning by a panel of experts and requires the candidate to demonstrate deep understanding and the ability to discuss their work critically.
- 🕒 In the UK, the viva voce traditionally has no time limit, but the candidate's university recently introduced a four-hour limit for the exam.
- 📝 The candidate meticulously prepared for the viva by rereading their thesis, anticipating questions, and practicing derivations and explanations of key results.
- 🚀 The candidate reflects on their academic journey, acknowledging challenges and expressing gratitude for the second chance they received to pursue their PhD.
- 💪 The script emphasizes the importance of determination and perseverance in academic success, highlighting the candidate's transformation from a struggling student to a PhD candidate.
- 🧠 The candidate discusses the mental and emotional challenges faced during their studies, including burnout and the pressure of performing well in the viva.
- 🏆 The outcome of the viva was positive, with the candidate passing and only needing minor corrections to their thesis, which they view as a significant achievement.
- 🙌 The script concludes with a message of thanks to the candidate's supporters and an acknowledgment of the collective effort in achieving the PhD.
Q & A
What is the final exam of a PhD commonly referred to as?
-The final exam of a PhD is commonly referred to as a 'viva voce', which means a spoken exam.
What is unique about the viva voce exam compared to other exams?
-Unlike most exams, the viva voce is not based on written responses to set questions but on how the candidate talks about their research, specifically their PhD thesis.
What is the title of the speaker's PhD thesis?
-The speaker's PhD thesis is titled 'Quasi Geostrophic Influence at the Polar Stratosphere on the Troposphere'.
What is the purpose of the viva voce exam?
-The purpose of the viva voce exam is to determine if the candidate actually wrote the thesis, understand what they wrote, and can answer questions about how their work fits into the broader literature on the subject.
How has the viva voce exam format changed in the UK according to the speaker's experience?
-In the UK, the viva voce exam traditionally had no time limit, but the speaker's university recently installed a time limit, requiring the exam to be completed in less than four hours.
What did the speaker do to prepare for the viva voce exam?
-The speaker reread their thesis, made notes on likely questions, practiced derivations, and prepared default answers for some questions. They also reviewed papers and familiarized themselves with key results and literature.
How did the speaker's attitude towards academics change from secondary school to their PhD journey?
-The speaker was not academically special in secondary school but became more conscientious, determined, and ready to ask for help from year 7 to year 11. This attitude, along with not giving up, carried them through to completing their PhD.
What was the speaker's experience like when they were offered a PhD place at Oxford?
-The speaker was initially offered a PhD place at Oxford but due to severe burnout and poor performance in their final exams, the offer was withdrawn, leaving them uncertain about their future.
What happened the night before the speaker's viva voce exam?
-The night before the exam, the speaker spent the day looking through papers and key questions, and finished rereading their thesis before going to bed.
How did the speaker describe their experience during the viva voce exam?
-The speaker described the experience as initially terrifying, then becoming enjoyable as they discussed their research, and finally, terrifying again while waiting for the result.
What was the outcome of the speaker's viva voce exam and what corrections were required?
-The speaker passed the viva voce exam with minor corrections, which included adding a few extra sentences in the background and rewriting some code with an additional dataset for further analysis.
What advice does the speaker give to students struggling with their studies?
-The speaker advises students to be determined, work smart, actively engage with the material, and never give up, as these qualities have helped them through their academic journey.
Outlines
🎓 Preparing for the PhD Defense
The speaker reflects on their academic journey from childhood to the final exam of their PhD in mathematics. They describe the unique nature of the PhD defense, known as a 'viva voce' or oral exam, which assesses their ability to discuss their thesis titled 'Quasi Geostrophic Influence at the Polar Stratosphere on the Troposphere.' The speaker outlines their preparation process, which includes rereading their thesis, making notes on potential questions, and practicing derivations. They also share their personal academic struggles and emphasize the importance of perseverance.
📚 The Path to Academic Resilience
The speaker details their academic path, from being a student at a local state school to studying physics at Oxford and eventually pursuing a PhD at the University of Exeter. They recount the challenges they faced during their Master's year, including severe burnout and mental health struggles that affected their performance. Despite these setbacks, they were offered a second chance to pursue a PhD, which they credit to the support of their former supervisor and their determination to succeed.
🏆 The PhD Viva Experience
The speaker recounts the experience of their PhD viva, a high-stakes oral examination where they had to discuss their research with leading experts in the field. They describe the initial terror of the process, the momentary relief when they were asked to explain their thesis, and the subsequent challenges of answering complex questions on the spot. The speaker also shares their feelings of inadequacy and the pressure to perform well to honor the trust placed in them by their supervisors.
🎉 Achieving the PhD and Reflecting on the Journey
The speaker shares the outcome of their PhD viva, in which they successfully passed with minor corrections required. They express relief and joy at the culmination of their academic journey and reflect on the importance of determination and hard work. The speaker also discusses the minor corrections they need to make to their thesis and the positive feedback they received from the examiners, highlighting the originality and significance of their research.
🌟 Final Thoughts and Gratitude
In conclusion, the speaker emphasizes the importance of determination and the willingness to put in the necessary work as key to their academic success. They express gratitude to their supporters on YouTube and acknowledge that their PhD achievement is a collective effort. The speaker invites new viewers to explore their PhD blogs, hints at upcoming content, and thanks the audience for their support.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡PhD
💡Viva Voce
💡Thesis
💡Geostrophic Equations
💡Brewer-Dobson Circulation
💡Derivations
💡Burnout
💡Determination
💡Academic Corrections
💡Second Chance
Highlights
The final exam for a PhD, known as a viva voce, assesses the candidate's ability to discuss their work rather than their written responses to questions.
The author's PhD thesis is titled 'Quasi Geostrophic Influence at the Polar Stratosphere on the Troposphere', focusing on atmospheric physics.
The viva voce in the UK involves a world-leading expert, an internal academic, and no time limit, or a recent four-hour limit in the author's case.
Preparation for the viva voce includes rereading the thesis, anticipating questions, and practicing derivations that may be asked.
The author reflects on their academic journey, from being described as 'scatty' in secondary school to their determination and eventual success.
The author emphasizes the importance of not giving up as a key factor in their academic and personal growth.
The author's desk setup includes atmospheric physics textbooks, their thesis, and tabs for organizing notes and key results.
The author discusses the importance of understanding the theory behind their thesis and being prepared to derive equations during the viva.
The author's experience at Oxford, including their initial interest in atmospheric physics and the challenges they faced.
The author describes the mental and physical preparation leading up to the viva, including reviewing papers and practicing key concepts.
The viva experience is described as initially terrifying, but eventually becoming enjoyable as the author discusses their research.
The author faced a challenging moment during the viva when they had a mental block regarding the Brewer-Dobson circulation.
The viva concluded with the author passing their PhD after a tense wait and receiving positive feedback on their work.
The author received minor corrections to be made within six months, including additional sentences and analysis.
The author's supervisors expressed pride and satisfaction with the author's achievement, highlighting the collaborative nature of the PhD journey.
The author shares a message of determination and perseverance for students struggling with their studies, emphasizing the importance of hard work and never giving up.
The author thanks their supporters on YouTube and online, acknowledging the role their encouragement played in their success.
Transcripts
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)
Thanks for rating: