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Original poster

A moan really... Viva on 8th March

16 replies

MassiveTit · 19/02/2021 20:28

I guess soon I can join the just general academics chat!! I have my viva on 8th March and three children- Year 9, 7 and 5. Because my external is in America the viva is at 3.30pm GMT.

Now, of course it looks like all three children will be going back to school on that day. It has been hard enough prepping for the viva with home schooling and working and now I will have no sleep the night before (they all sleep badly when worried) and then anxiety about how they are getting on before not being able to see them but knowing they are home.

There's nothing anyone can do. It is just a general moan. I submitted the day London went into snap close the pubs and I feel like I have just been annoyingly unlucky with dates. I know there's a million things worse.

All my academic friends don't have children and my non academic friends don't seem to get the viva so I thought I would moan here. I know the viva nerves are worse than the thing but I was already worrying about how to get into the zone. I just don't see how that is going to be possible on this day.

My examiners are both really busy and finding this time was hard, plus I have a super shiny lecturer position Grin so I don't want to put it off but grrrr.....

I guess any advice on how to focus for those two/three hours would be great.

OP posts:
Nordstrom · 19/02/2021 20:56

I'm afraid I am ill equipped to advise you but just wanted to congratulate you on submitting under such am circumstances and wish you luck!

I am only in the first year of my PhD (with 4 dc at home) and am beginning to lose my mind already!

Bluebelltulip · 19/02/2021 21:04

Moan away. I had my Viva at the beginning of the first lockdown with my 3 year old and 4 month old downstairs, it was weird and I worried about getting in the 'zone' but it was absolutely fine. I wish you the best of luck and congratulations on the lecturer job.

TierFourTears · 19/02/2021 21:15

If the unions get a say, I doubt your kids will be back on the 8th. If they are back, will the kids be able to get back from school ok? Anyway, if they are back at school, can you nap. If they arent at school, you should get a decent sleep the night before.

I had a viva for my MSc, and actually really enjoyed it. I wouldnt worry about the focus - you are the expert on your subject, so embrace it. Congrats on the PhD and the job!

SignsofSpring · 19/02/2021 22:16

It's far from clear they will be back at school. Either way, do you have a partner who could take them out of the house, either straight from school or if they are home schooling, for two hours at least? To get the main part done. I know there aren't so many places to go at the moment, but just for this one time, I would take them out, even just to the supermarket and then a takeaway coffee...

Good luck with the viva, it will be absolutely fine, I'm finding that sometimes online vivas can be quicker as everyone is Zoomed out and doesn't want to spend hours asking questions.

Original poster
MassiveTit · 20/02/2021 07:08

Thanks for all the support. It's good to be able to moan!! I think practically it will be okay, it's just going to be hearing their voices as they come in and not being able to see how they got on. DD (12) particularly is super anxious about the return to school and is already not sleeping well thinking about it. But actually they will probably he suffering from extreme screen deprivation and will just need to plug in Hmm

OP posts:
Original poster
MassiveTit · 20/02/2021 07:11

@Nordstrom That is really impressive. I am not sure I could have started under those circumstances. I found the first year really hard and the lack of clear boundaries makes self directed work hard at the best of times, let alone with a zillion distractions.

OP posts:
TrailingLobelias · 20/02/2021 10:43

I've never heard of anyone fail a viva in my field.

It doesn't go that far. The Examiner will contact before the viva if there is a problem with the data.

If the viva goes ahead it is to make sure it was your work, your ideas and that you really understand what is in it. It's just a chat really. People popped in and out of mine, one person waved in the window and it was no problem.

bibliomania · 22/02/2021 12:48

Adrenaline will carry you through but you will drop like a stone afterwards. I was far too early so went for a calming walk down a very muddy path beforehand. I sat through the viva, gently sloughing mud through the whole thing.

sneakysnoopysniper · 24/02/2021 02:14

My viva was in 1996. It lasted 20 minutes because everyone was anxious to get to the pub. My supervisor had just roped in two of his mates. I had an interview in the afternoon so I only had two drinks. I went to the interview and had a bit of a robust exchange with one of the interviewers. Convinced I was not getting that job. Went back to the pub and got smashed then out to an Indian restaurant in Manchester's famous curry mile. Got back home to find the job offer on my voicemail.

A day to remember.

Original poster
MassiveTit · 13/03/2021 18:15

So I passed!! And I start my permanent faculty post after Easter so I guess I should stop lurking on the chat thread and say hi Grin

OP posts:
Bluebelltulip · 13/03/2021 19:33

Well done!

Evidencebased · 13/03/2021 19:54

Fantastic!

Nordstrom · 13/03/2021 21:01

Congratulations!

Queenie6655 · 13/03/2021 21:14

Amazing

It is a great feeling

GCAcademic · 14/03/2021 12:39

Congratulations!

impostersyndrome · 14/03/2021 16:50

Congratulations!

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