Thank you for all your good wishes! Sleeping a lot. Only leaving the house for singing (in a choir), eating and partying this week. Xx

I passed! Minor corrections. Viva was great. Examiners both lovely. Kind about criticism but also full of good comments. It was more of a discussion. It lasted about an hour and a half but seemed to go much quicker.

It's been a very long road, and I finally submitted at the end of January. So the viva's tomorrow.

The pressure is melting already. I'm proud of my thesis. It's done a few good things for this world, and isn't too boring a read. So even if I have to tweak it, that's OK.

I began way back in 2007... With a false start, a couple of years out and some bumps in the road. But the PhD has dominated my life, even though I'm a part-time student. At first it was joyous, it's been easy to forget that lately. The last six months have been so tough.

So to all you long-haulers out there, keep the faith! You'll get through it, just keep hanging on... No matter what.

Thank you to everyone here, and to those who run this forum. As a distance learner it has often been the closest to a PhD community I've had, and that is precious.

Hi Satchi, Perhaps you over give. I've noticed your manner here can be hyper-kind, saying love and such a lot. Even with people you don't know. I've noticed in real life, this kind of approach tends to attract those who need a lot of attention/love or whatever. S'pose you'll have to let them down gently now though.

Congratulations Caro and Cherub! That's brilliant news :). Xxx

Good luck Caro! I'm yet to have my viva but please keep us posted... XXX

From what I hear spotting typos at this stage is par for the course though... X

Another thing. Reminder to myself: don't read/watch or listen to the news.. It's too exhausting.

Hey! I'm at the final stages too, handing in in six weeks.

It is a rollercoaster. I've been through wanting to get out of academia and all the way back to being determined to carry on my research. Rest has been crucial. I felt utterly exhausted last week, on the verge of depression, which is not like me. I took two and a half days off over the weekend and Tuesday. Only on the third did I feel my old self again and realised what all this meant to me. Grief, as I remember is just as exhausting... So maybe rest would help? Although you know best.

I'm working full time in an entirely different sector, and that could be another far cushier but nowhere near as exciting career option for me. Hence I've felt conflicted and worn out.

I read an article that made alot of sense to me. We have achieved brilliantly to get this far. Our technique in getting to this point obviously works. Resting when needed and working when my batteries are full is what I will continue to do.

Thanks for posting it's good to hear from a fellow finisher :)

I know of a few who've got academic posts without PhDs. They usually hung around departments as associate lecturers for ten years or so. They also had strong publication records. It's a tough low paid route. Oh and there's a successful film producer I know who was given a professorship straight off the bat.

It does happen but it's rare and getting rarer all the time.

Hi Kathryn, No one should feel reduced to a panic attack at the thought of socialising with colleagues. Maybe some counselling would help? Or a drama class... Although I'm guessing you'd hate the idea. If you are really that averse to work chit chat and social life then academia ain't for you either. You must know this. Being able to beaver away alone is only a brief spell in anyone's career, and not even all PhD students get that chance.

I think you're either going to have to find a way to improve your social.skills and tolerance or design a life for yourself that is isolated but practical. Some people disappear and live alone in caves and so on, so it is possible.

The other thing is, most academics I know, at least the good and successful ones, are bursting to talk about their subject. Enthusiasm and passion make them reach out to others. If you don't have that it will show.

Hey Mr. Dr. - Reading your thread with interest. I just finished a stint in student services admin and found it very illuminating. Like you I have an abundance of HE lecturing work on my cv. But it was great to see things from the other side. Not sure how these things pan out in terms of academic employment. But surely working with students and academic processes in your field is better than not doing so. I think my time in student services will make me a better lecturer. It would certainty make me a better head of department.

Also my own research was much easier in the admin job. Less money stress and a 9-5 routine with comparatively little responsibility. It's true that universities hire from within existing teaching teams. But it's also true that you can hang about for years having the mickey taken and going nowhere.

Good luck!

I really hope so! Maybe they'll change it.

I've just been temping in a university admin post that has the same salary as this... I couldn't believe how easy the work is. And I was in at 9 out by 4:30. No extra work and no stress. I got my PhD stuff done and had a life as well, no problem.

Yes bewildered and you don't en get even get the job title of lecturer. Am not sure how good Programme Assistant would look on a CV.

I just saw this post advertised:

Would you accept this? I'm not applying. I'd rather

stick pins in my eyes... How would you handle it?

I meant bums on seats but the spellcheck is insisting on buns...