what a tough way to begin your phd! get used to handling criticism. it never stops from now on. it is a shame though that your supervisors have let you present a first draft of your proposal and have given you no feedback so far. that's really unfair. good luck! it looks like you are going to need it if you are going to keep working with them.

rozza, you are so young that whatever you decide, it should be fine because you can still change your mind in a few years time if needed.
a friend of mine gave up a fully funded phd a few years ago because she hated it. she began another phd 3 years ago and loves it despite having to work full time to fund it.
i began my phd when i was 24 thinking that i would be done after a max of 4 years...i am 32 now and still at it. to cut a long story short, i have had a lot of fun doing consultancies related to my topic in exotic places in the meantime...
my partner has been really suportive ...we now have two young children and i still haven't finished my phd...and am wondering about the future holds for me. but have no regrets so far. the only thing that bothers me sometimes is to see how settled and comfortable -financially- my working friends are...whereas we don't even have a proper house to offer our kids!
so whatever choice you make, good luck!

good luck cc!! glad to see you are feeling better now that you've found a printer you have to remind yourself that you are in a better position than many of us...submitting soon! That's fantastic news no matter what. think about those who still have to go through the whole 4 years...

don't feel like your phd is defining you. and even if it were, i am sure that it is at least good enough to pass. my advice would be to go for the gentler examiner if you don't want to stay in academia afterwards anyway...again...don't let some other thougher guy define who you are.

sorry for the late reply. been stuck with a bad flu...kids as well... so the last couple of days have been a nightmare...see life and its other challenges still continue despite the phd. that's for the stepping back...

i think tsipat has a point. sprints might work out for a while but the thesis i think is more like a marathon...you can also of it as being healthy eating versus bulimia...

cc, i like the suggestion of getting someone to be my writing manager.
yes, it's gone on for too long and for the last 3 years, i honestly thought i would finish by the end of the year. and never did for various reasons. so you see, my lack of time management skills is pretty severe when it comes to my thesis...

now, i feel that i need to move on. i keep trying to stay focussed by telling myself that every single line writen takes me closer to the end. but the real question is ^"when is that end going to be?" it seems to be an open end exercise so far. and an official submission date might help in making it more real.

why is it so hard to re-gain momentum? what are the tips to keep going? why haven't i spent the last 15mns on getting started on my revisions rather than chat in a forum?

thanks cc! it is a matter of really wanting it isn't it? i know i need to be more focused and to be more committed to my own set mini deadlines but it's never worked so far. i have done the 'big push' thing but it looks like i need another one...and need some encouragement!! hence these posts.
bluelife

don't worry: we all go through that...but the good news is you also get times where you realise that you are glad you are doing a phd. at least you know what you are trying to achieve for the next years of your life. believe it or not, it made me feel good at some stage. i know that's pathetic...

when i was complaining too much, one of my sup used to say: don't get all worked up. just get on with it. it's only a phd for god's sake! i found it a bit tough and insensitive at the time but with some hindsight, it's true. take off the 'phd' word and it's nothing worse than some of the stuff other people -and us too- have to go through.

listen to me...trying to give some advice and i can't even get myself to set up a final deadline. fear of closure?

bluelife

hi there, i love this forum but have simply been a reader so far. i need some help so i thought that i should write too.
i have been doing my phd for too many years- the exact number of years is embarassing, though it's been part-time. jobs, grieving, babies all have all contributed to making it last so looong.

i REALLY want to finish before the end of the year but still have major corrections and some more data analysis to do in most of my chapters. and the last one to write from scratch. i also need to get the whole thing edited as english is not my first language. i'd love to submit by dec,20 and -as you know- would have to inform the postgrad office 2 months before.

is it do-able? have some of you been through a similar experience and succeeded -or about to succeed- in submitting by the due date or failed in doing so? and if failed, why? What would you advice to do?

a zillion thanks for any reply!