Signup date: 04 Dec 2006 at 9:01pm
Last login: 12 Jun 2009 at 6:38pm
Post count: 321
CC - it seems as if your supervisor is feeding you some tosh. Any decent examiner would expect a student to be nervous during their viva (and this affecting their responses). My supervisor told me a story about a via he was on the panel for, where the person was so nervous they just totally clamed up, and getting them to say anything was like squeezing blood out of a stone (nevertheless, the person still passed!). They are judging you primarily on what is written in your thesis, your viva is to clarify you wrote the thesis, have an understanding of what you've written (and some related arguments), and to clarify any points that they think need developing/are unsure of.
Having said all that, if your supervisor says the thesis isn't ready for submission, it's better to hold back now, take a few more months, so when it does go in you know it will 'do the job'.
Hi Chris,
The way you are feeling is completely normal ... I'm now in the late stages of writing up and still look at my work thinking it's a load of rubbish/too simplistic (even though my supervisor - as well as the panel at my transfer viva - tell me my writing style is good).
As others have suggested ... put pen to paper and start writing! Remember - your supervisor is asking you to do this as an exercise to get you to commit your ideas onto paper (those who don't get over this, usually never end up getting to submission stage!).
Some 'free write', but I don't, and have to go through the agony of making sure that everything is as word 'perfect' as I'm going along. You'll find a system that works best for you.
Also, I agree with others - 500 words a day is a realistic achievement (although when I first start writing I'm lucky if I get 100, but this does pick up pace as you 'get into' your writing).
Don't worry ... you will be fine!
Chris - forgot to add ...
I'm half-hoping you're a really horrible person. Good looks, a brain and being nice ... that would be far too unfair!!!
PS You'd never guess I was in PhD student in the final stages of writing-up (i.e. no social life, hardly any interaction with humans and years since I've had any physical contact!).
Jojo - does Chris know who you are, or are you keeping your identity secret (tee hee)? That must be peculiar/odd, bumping into someone you 'know' via the forum.
Chris - with lengthier hair, there's something very 'Rupert Everettesque' about you ... god damn it, he's gay too!!!
Odd number of chapters ... what a load of tosh! I think a well written/constructed/presented thesis is what will concern the examiners more!
By the way, I will end up with 8 chapters in total (including intro and conc) ... my supervisor also had the same for their PhD, and it didn't appear to do them any harm, especially seen as they are now a very 'big cheese' in their field!!!
The skills you've gained through tutoring/part-time lecturing should be sold as 'transferable skills'.
As the others have said, register with a good recruitment agency, but be prepared to start on a rubbish salary (although I'm sure you'll progress up the ranks quicker than someone coming in with no qualifications).
PostgraduateForum Is a trading name of FindAUniversity Ltd
FindAUniversity Ltd, 77 Sidney St, Sheffield, S1 4RG, UK. Tel +44 (0) 114 268 4940 Fax: +44 (0) 114 268 5766
An active and supportive community.
Support and advice from your peers.
Your postgraduate questions answered.
Use your experience to help others.
Enter your email address below to get started with your forum account
Enter your username below to login to your account
An email has been sent to your email account along with instructions on how to reset your password. If you do not recieve your email, or have any futher problems accessing your account, then please contact our customer support.
or continue as guest
To ensure all features on our website work properly, your computer, tablet or mobile needs to accept cookies. Our cookies don’t store your personal information, but provide us with anonymous information about use of the website and help us recognise you so we can offer you services more relevant to you. For more information please read our privacy policy
Agree Agree