The above is it in a nutshell.. if you've got this then you're on the right track ... i've just posted on another thread in much the same tone.

However, you've mentioned family commitments and this is a big issue. How does your partner feel? It will be a team effort and in many ways tougher for others than you.

I love the suggestion below.. pretend you're doing a PhD for the next few weeks... spend, lets say, 15 hours each week, reading, researching your area of interest .. at the end of that time write something.. that critiques what you've read.. what's interesting, what's not... then think could i do that for X years.

There is always hope. Chuff

Hi elmizze

There was a lovely thread on here very recently which talked about why we loved doing our PhDs.  It was a great anti-thread to those which typically talk about the trials (understandable given that we often turn to this forum for help and support)

Have a read through that and see if that gives you any hints to what you need to do to enjoy it.   If you're enjoying the process it will feel like a voyage of discovery driven by passion and enthusiasm - ok maybe a tad over the top - but as the Beatles said "All you need is love" or was that lots of recreational drugs - i suppose either will help :-)

All the best, and stick with the forum.. some fab people on here who will get you through.

Chuff. 

woo hoo. (up)

yes you make sure you do come back too !

I'm hoping to submit in the next 10 days and so its all going wobbly here ...

Thanks for this post Screaming as i, like you, am loving every blodi minute of it.

Have done since day one. Its been hard work, worst ever but ... god... its amazing and as i'm nearing the end i am truly sorry that i've nearly finished.

And although i don't want to fail and have to re-do it ;-) I am looking for a change in career so I can carry on researching ..

I guess the question should be raised as to why us jollies are jolly. What's the story there ? Is it subject, age, supervisor relationship, past experience, reason for wanting to study, other life stuff. .. mmm...

Chuff

Hi.

A tricky one but my gut reaction is take the job.

"Incredibly awkward" = real life.

Personnel churn I think they call it. Employers expect it. People leave, they get ill, they have family issues.. hell some of them die !

My advice .. take the job. If the other offer comes off. Take that too. You must, within reason, do what's right for now. what you can see, what's real.. not what may be especially when its out of your control.

I hope others will give more substantial advice ;-)

Best wishes. Chuff

Hi.

Haven't accessed the link but wondered whether the thesis would be at the British Library site?

http://ethos.bl.uk/Home.do

Check it out.

Hi Ant.

It seems from what you've said that you have taken the action you need to take to address your current circumstances. 

If in the future your circumstances change and you decide that you want to do a PhD then you should do the same.   Take the action you need to, apply to do one.

Apologies if this sounds simplistic but you've made the decision. And that took courage. You sup quite rightly wants to discuss it, probably to make sure you've considered options.

What sort of repercussions did you have in mind ?  Financial ? Future career ? 

Hope your personal issues are sorted soon.   All the best. Chuff

Thanks Amy  appreciate it.

Also good to know that doubt is normal, could we say good ?  maybe it restrains the worst trait of all - arrogance.

I'm nearing the end myself,  hence my intense interest in the viva.. and i feel I'm more aware than ever .. but unfortunately what I'm more aware of is how much I don't know.. how much is "out there".  Guess you have to love the confusion,  and continue to love it for the rest of your career else you're doomed.

Regards, and congrats again.  Chuff

Thanks Bewildered, I have very clearly separated them under working papers and published.

Chuff

Thanks JC.

Appreciate your advice. I have taken very much this stance, I haven't noted target journal except where one is for a special issue.

Thanks again, Chuff

Hi D.

There was a thread on this a little while ago.. the consensus seemed to be name them ... but I asked the question, got it out in the open. 

I would suggest making your sups "buckle up" may be asking for trouble ;-)      But hey, I'm all for being controversial - however, i plan to wait til post PhD to stir things up ( call me a wimp)

Take care. Chuff

Other thread below..

http://www.postgraduateforum.com/threadViewer.aspx?TID=16838

Hope you are well is always a good start.

I have a very informal relationship with my sup... if you call mature over 25 i'm near deaths door (pushing 40 too hard). So my sups and I are near the same age.

I think its like every relationship you start off being polite but friendly and then see what develops. I think they, like anyone, will let you know fairly early on what sort of relationship they want and expect.

Chuff

Fantastic AQ... what a palava to get it submitted.. you can't submit if you have library books over due .. they must have a death wish ! I can't imagine how you contained yourself.

How many copies did you have printed AQ ? I've been asked to submit two but wondered if I should have three printed ?

Enjoy the glow... Best. Chuff

Hi Chococake,

Great to be thinking ahead, i bought two books  - Patrick Dunleavy's 'Authoring a PhD: How to Plan, Draft, Write and Finish a Doctoral Thesis or Dissertation and Chris Hart's 'Doing a Literature Review'.

They both gave a good grounding and allowed me to have some warning about what was to come. ;-)

All the best for your studies.  Chuff

I, like KB, would cite til i could cite no more .. for the same reasons. However, I'm also agreeing with Dafydd it would only do so if I'd added something to the party.

I would also take the opportunity, if possible, of noting future work that is required - in my field of course. Wins all round then.

Enjoy. Chuff