Hey Lostinoz

Hope you manage to get the abstract done and approved today. At least you didn't send it off, then have to deal with the problem of him hating it and you'd already submitted it!

This is not your supervisor's fault. He's busy, and yeh, might only take him 10 minutes - but could also take a lot longer, as he would need to get back in the mindset of your area, think about the best approach etc, and as we've said, this could be way down his list of priorities. You need to manage upwards - and this is a skill you'll need for 'real' jobs too. As well as giving him plenty of time to look at your work, also set times with him for when he's able to get back to you. Find out when he won't be busy, and suggest he put it in his calendar for that day/time. Make concrete deadlines for when he'll get back to you. If you know that you're going to be rushing and submitting at the last minute, let him know this, request he put aside some time before it's due to look at it. Don't just send an email which needs urgent attention and hope for the best. Plan yours, and his work, as much as you can. Then send him reminders. Supervisors don't mind this - mine appreciates me managing her as much as I can for my work - means she doesn't have to take responsibility for my workload and deadlines.

Hi there

Yeh, this is an interesting issue I've also been grappling with. I'm writing up and wanting to include large chunks of articles that I've published and am also working out how to do this. I think you do need to rewrite the material - which you'll probably find you need to do anyway, so that it's a bit longer/shorter, emphasises other points etc etc. I've found most work doesn't neatly slot in verbatim anyway. When I've done this, I've added a footnote saying "This section adapted from Sue2604, 2009). If I am directly quoting myself, I do reference it properly. I've discussed it with my sup, and she wasn't able to give me a lot of guidance - surprisingly, since academics do this all the time. But this is how I'm approaching it.

I'd phone - I wouldn't send in an abstract where he's co-author without him seeing it first. Even if it would only take him 10 mins, it's probably way down his list of priorities, so he'd still need time to get to it.

And five days is not so long. You might not think he's busy, but all the academics I know are absolutely flat out. I give my sup a few weeks to look at my work, as I know she has other, higher priorities, and especially now, at the end of semester. I think you need to build in a bit more time for getting feedback and not expect your sup to turn around your work so quickly.

I do indeed Sneaks and it's saved me from insanity and also helped me get through a power of work. And yep, that's how the chat room works - we all work for 25 mins, then chat for 5. People cheer each other on, it's really supportive and I do this for hours at a stretch and get lots done. Url is http://phinished.org

Bonzo is right - your counsellor sounds like rubbish, and a bully. If you need to talk about your depression, that should be respected and you should be able to talk about it, not be bullied into trying to work. I think you should find someone else. Bonzo is also right about the whiteboard. When I've been stuck, I've also written ideas down on butcher's paper, or even spoken thoughts and recorded them. These practices make you think about things differently, they use different parts of the brain and can break a block.

And if you haven't been working because you've been ill, well, they can't hold that against you. Explain that to them, and have supporting documentation ready if necessary. You can't help being sick!!

Breathe!!! Take deep breaths, work out which little bit you want to start with, and slowly read, and write. Don't panic, don't think about the deadline, don't think that you can't do this, but focus on what you're doing and very slowly, start.

Hey Mlis, your annual review probably won't be as bad as you think!! You've been working, you're having some difficulties - just tell them that. List what you have done, even small things, and see how much you have done in a year! Could you even ask for suggestions in your review on how to approach the lit review?

As I said, I had huge difficulties with mine too. I ended up treating it like lots and lots of lit reviews to start with, one on every little topic, then I slowly linked them all together and developed a structure from there. It takes time. Would it help if it wasn't the only task you were doing? Some people find it more helpful to work on 2 chapters at once. Maybe you could set yourself a set time - like 15 minutes, then another 15 minutes, and just review 3 articles on one topic, then slowly expand. And once you've done some of the lit review, move on to do something else? Once your lit review gets in a bit better shape, it will get easier. Good luck and let us know how you get on!

Hey Agni, sorry to hear you're feeling so awful. If you really are feeling suicidal, get help NOW. Look up crisis services in your phone book, find a telephone counselling service, and call them. Just pick up the phone and call them. Or call a friend, anyone, talk to someone if you're in crisis at the moment.

Excellent you're seeing a counsellor - have you spoken to your sup about your difficulties? Talk to them too. And the others are right about the Bolker book, it's brilliant on technique. Unfortunately tho, she doesn't acknowledge PhD depression enough or how to deal with this. Anyway, use the book, think about what you can do today, and take baby steps.

Take care!!

Hi HerdingCats

Welcome!! It's sounds as if you're well on the way to finishing!! Well done! On the third draft of most chapters - fantastic - I sooo wish I was at that stage!! You'll get there!! Don't think about how much you have to do, just do it. Little steps, and you'll get there in the end. You're so close - keep going!!

How's everyone else going? I'm doing OK - have almost finished the 2nd draft of a chapter which I wrote 4 years ago, and has been an effort essentially rewriting the whole thing, but it's coming together. By the end of the month I hope to have done 2nd drafts of most chapters - getting there. And am also giving a guest lecture in a couple of weeks, which is exciting, but more work.

Been distracted by job stuff - need to find a position in the civil service I don't hate going back to, in 6 weeks. Went for an interview for a job I wouldn't mind, 7 weeks ago, was told informally that I had the job - then nothing! Have phoned, emailed, seems like the contact person is avoiding me. What a jerk. So, that's on my mind too, and some family stuff going on...lots happening...Anyway, things are OK. How's everyone else?

Poor Chrisrolinkski!! Yes, he's got good timing alright. Delta's words are very wise...It also sounds as if you're both suffering from depression - did he end up seeking help? Could he also be a teeny bit jealous of you finishing, while he hasn't completed his PhD? I know it's hard, but concentrate on your work for a month, try and get him to hold off making any serious decisions, and just work, then tackle your relationship problems. Maybe you should go into lock down mode, and not see him for a month, to get your thesis finsihed, then you can devote yourself to him and your relationship?

Hi Depressed

I'm in a similar situation, although am starting a non-academic job in a few weeks out of sheer necessity. I'm also in my fifth year, have used up almost all of my savings, and yes, other friends' careers have taken off, they've had families etc. I'll end up with a doctorate that won't be necessary or appreciated in my job, and also feel as if I'm doing this for no reason and no reward.

I spent a good couple of months earlier this year not doing as much work as I should've (even tho I still put in 8 hours a day, every day) as I just couldn't see the point of working really hard. I've now realised however, that if I don't get a full draft to my sup in 2 months, I won't graduate until November next year, and the thought of this not being over until another 18 months is making me work. I have to finish, I want to get on with my life, so I'm pushing myself. You can do it. We can't stop now, so we have to keep going. So - keep going!!! You're not alone. This horror will end some day....

Nope, would absolutely drive me nuts. It's bad enough being stuck at home, with only the dog for company, every day writing up. If I wasn't researching I think I'd get really depressed - would be horrible living a life without a purpose, without a job. A bit if tinkering with tutoring or consultancy work would also not be enough to fulfill me. And I couldn't bear to be financially dependent on my partner. Still, I suspect this is rather a silly thread, as this won't be an option for most of us...

Hi, do a search on 'conferences' here and you should be able to find a few threads on tips. There's been lots of helpful suggestions given to people in the past. In regards to questions, relax, you know the most about your area, you're the expert. Sneaks is right, most people are kind to PhD students, there's only the odd arrogant academic who enjoys humiliating people who's likely to give you a hard time. But there's not many of those. I've been to dozens of conferences, and have yet to see anyone given a hard time, altho have heard it happens. If that does happen to you, as Sneaks has said, the audience will be on your side.

If you do get a question you don't know, that's ok - as has been suggested, use the 'that's a very good question and I'll consider that etc' response. Or you can say that your research is a work in progress, and you'll consider the issues they've raised as the research progresses. If it's a more factual question and you don't know, turn it around and ask them their thoughts on it - or even open it up to the audience. You'll be fine. By the time you get to questions, you'll be so relaxed and relieved it's over, you'll breeze through the. Enjoy the experience! And don't forget to breathe.

Hi Misscully

Don't be too hard on yourself!! It sounds like you've done your best in difficult circumstances. I don't think your supervisor sounds like she's a good sup at all - she sounds like a horror to me, and I think it's good she's going overseas and you'll get someone else. Start fresh with a new supervisor - maybe try and establish some guidelines and expectations for you both eg how often you'll meet, for how long, how often you'd be expected to hand in work etc. Don't do the thesis by yourself - a PhD only gets harder and harder, and you need good supervision to get thru - so don't hide, but meet with your new sup, develop a work plan, and don't be afraid to ask for help.

Don't quit! If you love research, don't quit! But is there any way you could change your topic to one you know a bit more about? And we all feel like imposters - it goes with the territory.  But seek more feedback, more help, and hopefully your next sup will be better. Good luck! And use this forum, stay in touch.

Hi Emaa

I find I lose motivation when I need a break and don't realise it, or when I'm facing a hard/large/overwhelming piece of work which I can't face. So, I take some time off to recharge, and have a break from the thesis. I make the most of this - I see friends, read a novel, walk the dog - make sure I do relaxing things, not just procrastinate or watch tv. I think about life after the thesis, and how I want so much to finish, and rethink time plans and work out how I'll reach my goal. I then redo a work plan and break the task down into smaller, doable bits, which aren't so daunting. All of this really helps.

Have a think about why you're unmotivated - there are deeper reasons, rather than just not wanting to work. Don't waste time sitting at the computer doing nothing either - take some time off and enjoy it properly, then plan to really work when you are at your desk.

Oh AL, that's terrible!!! 'Give it a rest'??? How spectacularly unhelpful!!! Well, that's what you should do then, put it aside, don't worry about it, and keep progressing. And sorry to hear about your washing machine!! You are having a tough time! Hope things improve...