One of the most difficult moments that students face when they are doing a major project of any kind is the viva voce or the project defence. This is where they have to present themselves in front of their supervisor or a review committee and answer tough questions regarding the work they had done. The viva voce has been known to give sleepless nights to many students. There are many researchers who are superb at discovering new facts and putting it down on paper. But when they have to talk about their work and explain key points to the academic board, they start to get very nervous and often forget what they meant to say.
Students should give themselves plenty of time to practice for the project defence. They should ideally finish their written work as quickly as possible and then start work for the day when they will get grilled by their superiors. Many students prepare notes for the viva voce and then rehearse whatever they plan to say. They talk to their peers and ask them what questions they can expect to be asked by the review committee. They also assemble a group of friends and family and practice giving presentations so that they can overcome their nervousness of speaking in public.
The students who perform best are those who look upon the project defence as a challenge. They get excited by the prospect of doing something new and cherish the opportunity to make a name for themselves in front of people who truly matter. They also read their thesis very thoroughly so that they know exactly what they have written and are not in a position to get surprised by anything that the reviewers ask. On the big day, they take it easy, rest well and walk into the room with a smile on their face.
Dealing with the challenge of a viva voce
Posted by admin in PhD Thesis
One of the most difficult moments that students face when they are doing a major project of any kind is the viva voce or the project defence. This is where they have to present themselves in front of their supervisor or a review committee and answer tough questions regarding the work they had done. The viva voce has been known to give sleepless nights to many students. There are many researchers who are superb at discovering new facts and putting it down on paper. But when they have to talk about their work and explain key points to the academic board, they start to get very nervous and often forget what they meant to say.
Students should give themselves plenty of time to practice for the project defence. They should ideally finish their written work as quickly as possible and then start work for the day when they will get grilled by their superiors. Many students prepare notes for the viva voce and then rehearse whatever they plan to say. They talk to their peers and ask them what questions they can expect to be asked by the review committee. They also assemble a group of friends and family and practice giving presentations so that they can overcome their nervousness of speaking in public.
The students who perform best are those who look upon the project defence as a challenge. They get excited by the prospect of doing something new and cherish the opportunity to make a name for themselves in front of people who truly matter. They also read their thesis very thoroughly so that they know exactly what they have written and are not in a position to get surprised by anything that the reviewers ask. On the big day, they take it easy, rest well and walk into the room with a smile on their face.