My PhD Viva Experience - What They Won't Tell You

[@PhDandProductivity]

Probably should have mentioned my PhD was in Computer Science, specifically machine learning, specifically specifically using machine learning to support physical exercise, with recommender systems applications in marathon training as a case study

[@pennyrabiger6283]

This video is phenomenal - I am a few days away from my viva and you have described exactly everything I am feeling - I even have scheduled a personal training session the day before like you! So helpful, so truthful.

[@PhDandProductivity]

You can do it!

[@tableofcontentslsad]

Well done, no small task. Great to hear the positives of the Viva, esp that if youre at that stage you should expect a pass.

[@PhDandProductivity]

Thank you ! I do think it’s a positive experience generally speaking

[@traceyevans4824]

I'm defending on Thursday - this was immensely helpful, thank you for sharing and congrats!

[@siobhanannkelly]

Thanks for this, I found it really helpful in thinking about how to prep for mine!

[@LittleMissTotoro]

I had saved a bottle of champagne in my fridge for when my first paper was published. It kinda happened as an accident, the champagne was a dog-sitter gift, we joked about occssions to drink it. I had it for maybe 10 months. The day the article came out, nobody had time to celebrate with me or even seemed that interested. I didn't feel happy I felt super sad and I just cried on the floor with my dog. Milestones will probably never make me happy 🙃 And I am worried that handing in my PhD will make me sad, anxious, and directionless. So thank you for making this video ❤

[@PhDandProductivity]

It is a really tricky feeling to navigate to be honest. I feel I am only coming to terms with it now.

[@qeithwreid7745]

I am defending next week. This has been so helpful. I like your candid and detailed description of your emotional state. Thank you so much.

[@PhDandProductivity]

Ahhhh congratulations and best of luck. I hope you have a great time

[@keishaabreu393]

I defend my master's thesis tomorrow and I have never done anything so scary before ;__; but I will try my best

[@rohenaduncombe1407]

Great contribution thanks. I am a particularly anxious person too so I appreciate your honesty. Waiting to hear back from examiners atm and am hoping like crazy that they do not want too many changes! Mine also crosses two areas, a novel method and the content focus. Best wishes, Rohena

[@PaulinaPawlak-e7k]

Thanks for this video! It found it surprising to see that you were struggling to back up your APPLIED research. I'm doing my PhD in applied science (defending in October) and sometimes I have problems to justify non-applied studies. Even though I am also fully aware its all valid and needed, I sometimes can't shake of this feeling that some of it is just "nice to know" and doesn't really contribute significantly to the field.

[@padmeasmr]

I've just finished my master and I can relate so hard. I had this thesis on my mind for years bc I had to stop for 1 year for health issues and before that I had put the master kinda on hold to pursue a different path. I liked a lot writing the thesis even though it was difficult and now I kinda miss it. I dared to write something original and at times I thought I was crazy why did I do that lol. While I was rehearsing my speech and all I was very sick and worried I wouldn't be able to go for my big day and my tutor was the head of this big uni. I was freaked out and my speech sucked. But when I was there everything went super smoothly and I did my best speech lol. It's a weird feeling now, I feel relieved and empty. I'm scared of the future.

[@PhDandProductivity]

The feeling of emptiness is so real ! I think completing any goal can be sometimes hard to cope with strangely. There’s somewhat of grief in the process of finishing

[@padmeasmr]

@@PhDandProductivity totally! I had a depression after finishing my bachelor and starting the master right away. Take a moment to breathe and contemplate everything you've done! Like an artist you know.

[@PhDandProductivity]

@@padmeasmr yes. I think everyone feels like they should be diving into the next thing - I think a mini retirement is in order

[@miracudrag]

Thank you for this. Will have a VIVA to pass in 2026! 🎉

[@PhDandProductivity]

Ah amazing! Best of luck with the final stages of PhD work

[@beulahjoseph8058]

Thank you so much!! Your video is so helpful. Congratulations and well done with all your hard work. You truly deserve it 🎊 could you please let me know how long was your presentation and what tool did you use for your data analysis? Thank you.

[@PhDandProductivity]

My presentation was 10-15 minutes, shouldn't be longer than that for the viva. 10 minutes is usually ideal but check your own supervisors/university guidelines. My thesis was computer science so I was programming in Python

[@adebamgbolaadeoye9454]

YOU DID WELL. CONGRAT

[@DrJay_PhD]

hey, great video. I'm starting a PhD in September. My PhD is interdisciplinary, Law and AI. I'm investigating how AI can be best utilised in legal education and how best to prepare a law student for a career in law, but I am also considering changing it to creating an AI assessment grading program to provide the preliminary grade on a student's work, but I'm not sure yet.

[@takiyaazrin7562]

Great video

[@FREELEARNING]

Well done. After finishing your PhD, you might not talk about it as much afterward. Therefore, perhaps changing the channel name to something like 'Research & Productivity' might be a good idea.

[@PhDandProductivity]

You know I've been debating just changing the channel to my name. I have seen a lot of creators do it. Overtime I want the channel to be about lifestyle, entrepreneurship, productivity, and research. It seems like the right time to make a change but I'm scared!

[@pb99-z3r]

Congrats on your viva! I submitted my thesis last week and I am still waiting for my Viva date. Fingers crossed I am able to prepare well for it. How can I prepare for Viva? It is great learning about the viva process.

[@pb99-z3r]

2 days from my viva. Fingers crossed I can do it.

[@edwindunhot3807]

Hi Ciara, I am having mine in less than a fortnight. I am a bit anxious about my references. I know that everything might come up during the viva and hence we would never be “prepared” enough if I can say. But to what extend - in your experience - they would ask about the references and the details?

[@girlwithapan]

Thanks for your in-depth sharing! I’m interested to find out more about “applied research” which you talked about at the beginning of your video. Could you recommend one or two good papers explaining what applied research is please? Thank you!

[@afsheenmaroof6209]

Hi .i am in the writing phase.can you please share the tips for that

[@PhDandProductivity]

Working on it !

[@afsheenmaroof6209]

@@PhDandProductivity please share ASAp

[@RobinDS-m1g]

Thought this was another American youtuber until your voice got more and more Irish! Impressive anyways!

[@Malekfahad420]

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