Will James get his PhD? - VIVA

nottinghamscience
8 Mar 201310:35
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe speaker shares their intense experience of a PhD viva, expressing pre-interview nerves and the pressure of the final exam after years of study. They recount the preparation and the actual event, which included a detailed questioning session with examiners. Despite initial fumbling, they found the experience enjoyable, showcasing their deep knowledge of the subject. The relief and joy of passing the viva, along with the support from family and friends, are highlighted, culminating in the anticipation of becoming a doctor.

Takeaways
  • 😖 The speaker is extremely nervous before the viva, a significant oral exam at the end of their Ph.D. journey.
  • 🛌 They experienced sleepless nights due to pre-exam anxiety and anticipation.
  • 📚 The viva is described as a high-pressure situation, akin to the pressure felt by A-level students on their exams.
  • 🎓 The speaker reflects on their academic journey, starting from a physics degree to completing a Ph.D.
  • 🤔 The speaker prepared for potential questions and rehearsed their responses, despite feeling unprepared.
  • 👨‍🏫 The viva involves an internal and an external examiner who have read the candidate's thesis in detail.
  • 📝 The examiners had numerous post-it notes with questions throughout the candidate's thesis.
  • 🕺 The speaker's initial nervousness was palpable, but they managed to engage in the viva with confidence.
  • 🕒 The viva lasted for three hours, which felt much shorter to the speaker due to the intensity of the discussion.
  • 🎉 Upon passing the viva, the speaker felt an overwhelming sense of relief before joy set in.
  • 📞 The speaker celebrated their achievement by sharing the news with family and friends, who were ecstatic.
Q & A

  • What is the speaker feeling before the viva exam?

    -The speaker is feeling incredibly nervous and excited, with a mix of dread and anticipation about the questions they might be asked.

  • What does the speaker describe as their experience the night before the viva?

    -The speaker was completely wired, unable to sleep, and was lying in bed with thoughts of dread and anticipation about the upcoming exam.

  • What was the speaker's previous career before pursuing a degree in physics?

    -The speaker had a good job which they left to pursue a degree in physics at the university.

  • What is the viva exam in the context of the speaker's academic journey?

    -The viva is the final exam at the end of the speaker's Ph.D. journey, a significant and pressure-filled event after seven and a half years of study.

  • How does the speaker describe the preparation for the viva exam?

    -The speaker describes the preparation as intense, including rehearsing potential answers and discussing weak spots in their thesis with a colleague named Roger.

  • What was the speaker's strategy to deal with stage fright during their stand-up comedy days?

    -The speaker would run back and forth through the toilet due to nervousness, but eventually stopped doing stand-up comedy because they couldn't handle the stage fright.

  • How did the speaker dress for the viva exam and why?

    -The speaker dressed in their best suit to show respect and seriousness to the examiners, which was unusual for them as they typically dress casually.

  • What was the format of the viva exam according to the speaker's description?

    -The viva exam involved an internal examiner from the university and an external examiner who had read the speaker's thesis, asking questions based on their reading.

  • How did the speaker feel during the viva exam?

    -The speaker felt intense pressure but also comfort and enjoyment as they were discussing their work, which they are deeply familiar with.

  • What was the speaker's immediate reaction upon passing the viva exam?

    -The speaker felt an overwhelming sense of relief, followed by joy, and was momentarily weak at the knees upon hearing the good news.

  • How did the speaker's family react to the news of passing the viva exam?

    -The speaker's family was ecstatic and proud, with the news being a source of joy and excitement for them as they had been part of the speaker's academic journey.

Outlines
00:00
😖 Pre-Viva Nervousness and Preparation

The speaker expresses their intense nervousness and anticipation before a significant academic examination, the viva, which is the final test after seven and a half years of study. They describe their sleepless night, the anxiety of facing potential difficult questions from a Russian professor, and their preparation for the event. The speaker also reflects on their past experience with stage fright during stand-up comedy, drawing a parallel to their current feelings. They mention their thorough preparation, including rehearsing potential answers with a friend named Roger, and the pressure of the viva being the culmination of their academic journey.

05:02
📚 The Viva Experience and Emotional Aftermath

This paragraph details the speaker's experience during the viva, an oral examination of their thesis. They recount the meticulous preparation of the examiners, the intensity of the questioning, and their own performance under pressure. The speaker did not let the presence of a camera during the examination distract them, focusing solely on their work and the questions at hand. Despite the initial fumble in answering the opening question, they managed to engage in a detailed discussion about their thesis. The speaker describes the swift passage of time during the viva and their surprise at its conclusion. Upon passing, they felt an overwhelming sense of relief, which gradually transitioned into joy as they shared the news with loved ones, highlighting the emotional journey and the support of their family.

10:06
🎓 Anticipating the Doctoral Title and Life After the Viva

In the final paragraph, the speaker looks forward to officially becoming a doctor in July, following the successful completion of their viva. They share a light-hearted anecdote about filling out a form where they had the opportunity to claim the title of 'doctor,' which brought them a sense of satisfaction. The paragraph concludes on a positive note, reflecting on the speaker's anticipation of their new title and the recognition of their academic achievements.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Viva
Viva, short for 'viva voce', is an oral examination, often used in the context of a doctoral defense. It is a significant part of the academic process where the candidate discusses their thesis with examiners. In the video, the term is central as the candidate describes the anticipation and nervousness leading up to the viva, as well as the experience during the examination itself.
💡Nervousness
Nervousness is a feeling of anxiety or apprehension, typically caused by uncertainty or anticipation of a challenging event. The script frequently mentions the candidate's nervousness as a predominant emotion before and during the viva, illustrating the high stakes and pressure associated with this academic milestone.
💡Thesis
A thesis is a document presenting the results of original research, typically required to complete a degree such as a PhD. In the context of the video, the thesis is the focal point of the viva, with the candidate discussing its main points, defending its content, and reflecting on the extensive work that went into its creation.
💡Examiner
An examiner is an individual who assesses a student's work, often in the context of an examination or thesis defense. The script describes two types of examiners involved in the viva: an internal examiner from the candidate's university and an external examiner invited to ensure an unbiased evaluation.
💡Stand-up Comedy
Stand-up comedy is a performance art where a comedian performs in front of a live audience, usually speaking directly to them. The candidate mentions his past experience with stand-up comedy to draw a parallel between the stage fright he felt then and the nervousness he experiences before his viva.
💡Stage Fright
Stage fright is an anxiety or fear that can occur in people when they are about to perform in front of an audience. The script uses the candidate's experience with stage fright during his stand-up comedy days to highlight the intense emotions he feels before and during the viva.
💡Post-it Notes
Post-it Notes are small pieces of paper with a re-adherable strip of adhesive on the back, often used for leaving notes or marking pages. In the video, the candidate describes the examiners using Post-it Notes to mark questions throughout his thesis, symbolizing the thorough and detailed scrutiny of his work.
💡Camera
In the context of the video, the camera refers to the recording device used to capture the candidate's experience of the viva. The candidate mentions concerns about the camera potentially affecting the outcome of the examination but ultimately states that he did not think about it during the viva, indicating his focus on the task at hand.
💡Physicist
A physicist is a scientist who specializes in the study of matter and energy, exploring the fundamental principles that govern the behavior of the physical universe. The candidate identifies as a physicist and discusses his ability to talk extensively about his work, which is central to the viva and the script's narrative.
💡Doctor
The term 'doctor' refers to someone who has earned a doctoral degree, often a PhD. In the script, the candidate anticipates becoming a doctor after the successful completion of his viva, and he experiences a sense of pride and accomplishment when he is able to use the title.
💡Joy
Joy is a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. The candidate describes an initial overwhelming sense of relief after passing his viva, followed by a gradual transition to joy as he shares the news with his family and reflects on the accomplishment.
Highlights

The speaker is nervous about an upcoming viva, a significant exam at the end of a Ph.D. program.

The speaker describes the anticipation and anxiety experienced the night before the viva.

Concerns about being asked difficult math questions by a Russian professor are expressed.

The viva is described as an oral exam with an internal and external examiner.

The speaker's previous experience with stage fright during stand-up comedy is mentioned.

The speaker's preparation for the viva, including rehearsing potential questions, is discussed.

The intense pressure of the viva is compared to the pressure on A-level students.

The speaker's attire for the viva, choosing to dress smartly to show respect, is highlighted.

The viva process begins with a gentle starter question to warm up the candidate.

The speaker fumbled the opening question but recovered to discuss their thesis.

The viva involved going through the thesis chapter by chapter with detailed questions.

The speaker's experience of the viva being intense and filled with questions is shared.

The speaker did not feel the presence of a camera during the viva, staying focused on the task.

The speaker's confidence in their work and preparation allowed them to perform well in the viva.

The viva concluded with no further questions, leaving the speaker surprised and relieved.

The speaker's emotional reaction to passing the viva, feeling relief before joy, is described.

The support and excitement of the speaker's family upon hearing the news of passing the viva.

The speaker's anticipation of becoming 'Doctor' and the significance of that title.

Transcripts

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PhD JourneyViva ExamAcademic PressureNervousnessPreparationPhysicsEducationExam ExperienceSuccess StoryPersonal Triumph