Preparing for Viva
Theory, projects and viva were the part of academic curriculum in my college. Theories were handled through mugging, projects were handled through time span and at times outsourcing too; however the real tension was viva. Viva was regarded as an encounter with the professor who that day seemed no less than a monster ready to gulp your marks like a glass of water.
Viva shatters students, but why is viva so shattering for students? What makes students call their professor a monster? Why does it happen that student’s throat goes dry during the vivas? Why a student is so much tensed about viva? Well some students call viva horrific situation. Let’s explore the reasons the tension surrounded by the viva.
Reasons for the Fear
• Aggressive professors normally breakdown students these professors reprimand the questions on the students, he finds loop holes in every answer of the student, instead such professor tries to find breakdown students confidence of the student in order to minimize his chances to score good marks in viva.
• Long sessions of viva acts as a time bomb for students, increasing tension and creating hype on the speculation of what questions could be asked.
• Tension also causes blank mind syndrome, in such situation student is unable to start an answer, gets over and over confused ends up giving a wrong answer.
• Sometimes professor misinterprets the answer given by the students and thus determine that the student has made a serious error.
Understanding Professors
Some professors use the words like “don’t worry”, “I know, you know the answer”, “you’ll be fine in order to curb student’s tension. However sometimes students feel viva as battle and the professor almost ready to get them.
Curbing the fear
• Mock Viva: is one of the solutions for those who are really afraid of viva. Mock Viva helps a student to encounter their fear of answering.
• Professor’s Temperament: Also if you know the temperament of the professor you can prepare yourself as per his/her liking.
• Keen Insight: The best way to score in your viva is to have keen insight into your project which makes you sure of every answer and be sure of the defenses.
• Highlight important points: Highlight the important part of your project and make a note of the important points you covered in your project.
• Avoid drugs/alcohol or chewing gum: Keep a handkerchief or a tissue with you instead of keeping a chewing or a drug/alcohol intake; keeping such things worsens the situation instead of improving it.
• Discussion instead of Viva: You can also take up your viva as a tool to discuss your project; this tact not only minimizes the tension but also throws a deep insight on your hard work and knowledge about the project. On the contrary it’s a best tool to impress the professor and put hand on good score.
Other Links for Projects
