Why have I only four stars? I've made it into the top 20 but how far can I climb this week? Back me or sack me... Use me or lose me...

I think you get the last star for being exceptionally good at procrastination. As you have completed your PhD, this is evidently not the case!

Thanks Sneaks for that witty response! I wish, oh how I wish, someone would confirm my corrections - it's driving me mad. I'll not be convinced I've finished until I get the all clear.

well its almost less than a day for me. My stomach acid is having a field day. I wish someone could sedate me until I go in!

I can so relate to that feeling. The day before is absolutely terrible but if you're anything like me you just want to get it done. Very best of luck with it and try to get a good sleep, if possible.

I'm finding this stage terrible and really feel like screaming:-s

I'm staying at someone elses house tonight which doesn't help! I'm sure I'll end up tossing and turning and then afraid to get up and walk about in case people wake up.

I do just want to get it over and done with now, bbut obviously want a successful result too! I'm getting tired thinking about it all!

Try to remember, the outcome has most likely already been decided and you know your work but yes the day before viva is a terrible day to put in.

(up)

Oh, good luck Sneaks! Sounds like Delta has some wise words there.

Delta - I only have three stars, I seem to have been stuck on three for ages! And what do you mean about making it into the top 20?

======= Date Modified 06 Feb 2012 10:10:20 =======
At the right side (I think you go to the home tab) it will say something like top posters if you browse this you'll see were you rank.

http://www.postgraduateforum.com/LeaderBoard.aspx

Ah, I see! Thanks Delta. That suggests I'm not that far off a fourth star, then.

I must admit because I received no guidance about the viva process I was talking about things I'd like to have done (ideally with time permitting) but didn't do and I now look back and think they might have decided to ask me to do those things as part of the corrections (which just wouldn't have been doable without further funding). Do be careful about containing yourself and not saying well it would have been great to do this and this etc etc. I made it clear that I was funded and had to work within a time frame because of that and so for that reason I couldn't do these things as they required too much planning, further ethics, external co-operation from organisations etc etc.

Thanks Delta, I've practiced about future research/what I would have done differently. Luckily (now!) my sample is extremely hard to get so I've finished all those answers off with 'that would be what I WANT to do but I don't think it would be feasible based on the sample, or at least would take a lot of leg work getting the numbers and it would be possible in the same setting'

Good for you. It was only towards the end I realised I could be digging myself into a hole and giving myself more work which is why I made it clear that I needed a timely finish but that I had done sufficient work in the three years available.

I had a whole lot planned on what I would do differently if I went back and did my PhD again, and they barely asked m about it! Good luck Sneaks. I was dreading viva and it was nowhere near as bad as I thought it could be.

As for stars, I've been on three for AGES! Don't think I'll make 4 let alone 5!