Hi Sabrina,

We all have hard time during our PhD journeys, some more than others, but overall everyone struggles at a point. You are not alone, there are many caring people in this forum whom you can share your problems with. From your post I believe that you are from an eastern culture (like me) that emphasises a lot on the family and society. I understand that the family/society can be very harsh in judging a person by his/her achievements or lack of them. But don't care about them, do what you want to do, not what others expect you to do. Do the PhD because you want to do it, not because you have to!!!

I struggled a lot during my PhD, but I kept thinking about it as an experience, you stand, then you walk, then you fall, but u have to stand again and keep walking and eventually you will reach what you want. It is a long learning process and we should not be afraid to make mistakes. Most people can't understand how stressful a PhD can be, so you did the right thing by posting in this forum, since all of us understand what you are going through.

Take things easily, day by day and step by step. Focus on the most important thing first, which is now your health, other things can and should wait. When you feel better and your confidence has returned you can then deal with the PhD.

Best wishes,
K

Hi all,

Today I have finally submitted my PhD thesis. I have finished writing it almost a month ago, but my supervisor took his time reading it (3 weeks) and producing the soft copies took more time than expected.

My PhD start was very rough, changed my supervisor after one and half years, had sever personal problems, went into depression ... But I wanted to finish the PhD badly, I guess I have done OK overall and produced a good thesis. It was a huge learning experience for me, learned many things about my research area, life and most importantly myself.

I am happy and relived that I have reached this milestone, I wish the viva go smoothly and the examiners can appreciate the value of my research. Unfortunately, as the last year was very stressful, I choose to ignore money related issues. Currently, I am in big debt and trying to find a temporary job until the viva so I can have some money. Wish me luck in finding a job.

I wish everyone writing up (especially Lara) the best of luck, and if "K" did it, you can do it as well !!! (up)

Hi Lara,
You are welcome :)

Hi Lara,

There is nothing wrong with you for panicking, it is more common with PhD students than we think. One of my collogues was recently awarded a PhD, she told me one day before the submission, she had a major panic attack and seriously thought about not submitting. Her viva went smooth and got only minor corrections. Some times we judge ourself and our work too hard.

Everyone has a different style for doing productive work, I am a narrow focused person (not sure if it is good or bad), I wrote some of the best sections in my thesis, while sitting in a busy coffee shop. I had my best research ideas while having long walks and looking at trees !!!

Thomas Edison never kept track of time, "I owe my success, to the fact that I never had a clock in my workroom". Sometimes we try hard to become too productive, which is an elusive aim. Average productivity is enough, we need to find a work process that provides good output, aiming for the perfect output, is not realistic.

I agree with tractorgirl, start with easy things every day, like reading/revising a paragraph, it will give you the start you need. I suggest that you focus one a single chapter at a time, a finished chapter is better than 2 not finished. Don't keeping thinking about the 2 weeks deadline, just focus on today and aim for a good working day, tomorrow has not yet come, you will deal with it when it arrives.

Good luck

Hi Jojo,

It has been a while since we heard from you, hope everything is good

Many thanks Miss Lara,

I have good news, I managed to finish revising the thesis, it was harder and took longer than I expected. But it is revised now and in good quality. I had a short meeting with my supervisor today and I gave him the whole thesis. He wants to have a final look at it before the binding and submission.

I started this diary 39 days ago, and I had to write 1 appendix and revise 3 chapter, one of them was in a poor shape. Overall, I am happy, relieved and ofcourse tired. I will try to relax for a while (if I can still remeber how) until I hear from my supervisor.

Good luck to everyone doing a PhD.

Hi Lara,

I used to have some panic attacks as well and spend a day or two not doing anything. Maybe you are trying to do a lot of work each day. Our minds/bodies have limits, try to aim for 6 productive hours a day. It worked well for me the last few months.

Good luck and stay optimistic, you can and will do it (up)

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Hi Billy,
I used Latex in my PhD and it is great and helped me a lot in the final stages, it requires some learning but it is worth it. As a computer scientist, I am interested in the programming you are doing, and the PL used.

Good luck in your work. (up)

Hello all,

I managed to finish revising Chapter 3, which is a big relief :-):-):-)

I will be working on chapter 4 now, it needs much less work, since my supervisor has already checked it before. I will try to focus mainly on the introduction and summary sections, to finish it ASAP.

Wish me luck

Hi Miss/MRS Lara!

Don't worry about the mixup, I found it funny and it made me smile

I am revising Chapter 3 now, and things are starting to look right. I am going to work late tonight, and try to finish as much as I can.

Hi Lara,

"i was just given great advice by K on her diary, and she wrote (Which i wanted to share with you incase you didnt read it).."

I am a "he" not a "she" , LOL

Hi Lara, How are things going with u?

The last few days I had some personnel issues which kept me away from the PhD, but I managed to deal with them and clear my mind a bit.

I finished the revision of Chapter 2, it is good quality now, and I am so relived and happy. Chapter 3 and 4 need much less revising work. I will start revising Chapter 3 now, wish me luck.