Overview of umma08 on PostgraduateForum.com

Overview of umma08

Signup date: 01 Nov 2015 at 10:44am

Last login: 31 Jul 2017 at 6:08pm

Post count: 4

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Revise & Resubmit :(

umma08 4 posts
7 years ago

Quote From umma08:
Had my Viva last Friday, and received a revise and resubmit.

The weekend has not been great, as i have alternated between blame, self-doubt and depression. Self doubt and depression often win.

Luckily, i received the joint recommendations (informal copy) late in the afternoon, as my internal understood that i wanted some clarity as to exactly what was expected of me, especially as i wasn't in agreement with the two examiners.

Without getting too long winded, i had used a theoretical framework to understand my artistic practice and that of others (something that my external had done himself). Within the externals writing, he had stated that the theoretical frame could be used 'for everything', and this was something that i quoted back to him when i was being questioned by my internal on the validity of the framework.

In the Viva i was also able to directly acknowledge and describe the differences in the external's framing, and my own. They were similar, but took slightly different stances. However, my internal (known for provoking and stirring up debate and argument), did not accept the theoretical framing outright. At one point, the chair even had to jokingly ask my internal to debate with my external, as it seemed i was arguing for both my external's and my own validity of research.

The second thing is that my supervisor (who i respect greatly) is a definite expert in the sub-genre i was discussing. The internal and external are not. He accepted my theoretical framing (as have two peer reviewed journals prior to the Viva).This seemed to count for nothing in the Viva.

My thesis - which was heavily weighted towards theory has now been completely change to a portfolio thesis - meaning i have to strip away 30,000 words or more and focus on my practice only, also creating one new artwork (to bring the total 'output' up to the required amount). The theoretical work i had done is seen as below standard.

I feel pretty bad, and can empathise with all here. Support really appreciated!

So after a year and a half or a bit more, i graduated. I actually handed in the revise and resubmit after about 8 months of work part time, but it was accepted in Feb 2017, and i just graduated in summer 2017. I have been working for the University in the meantime and saving money, for upcoming travels.

There is light at the end of the tunnel for anybody who comes across this. Just hang on in there!

Nearly Failed Viva

umma08 4 posts
7 years ago

Keep us updated. This also happened to my friend recently.

Just to let you all know, I ended up resubmitting the completed, revised thesis in February 2017. The resubmission was accepted without corrections (i am not sure they really read it), and i graduated just this week.

I am done with the PhD, with a slightly bitter taste in my mouth, but i leave having achieved what i said i would - albeit with a slight detour.

My plans are now what they were a year before - to go travelling to South America with my girlfriend. We are off next month for three months.

Looking back at the whole thing now, there were positives from having to do the extra year. My pride and confidence took a massive hit, but there were other things in my life that gave me benefit - be that friends, experiences had over the year, or the opportunity to work on the PhD part time while working part time at the University to save money for my upcoming travels. As was said to me, perhaps it happened for a reason.

So to anybody else that comes across this in a similar position. There is light at the end of the tunnel! Hold on, you will get there :)

Nearly Failed Viva

umma08 4 posts
9 years ago

Had my Viva last Friday (Halloween Eve) and the calendar setting end up being quite appropriate! I posted about it on another thread.

http://www.postgraduateforum.com/thread-36128/

Its nice to hear and read some positive account for revise and resubmit. At the moment, my biggest worry is the fees that the University will attempt to charge - especially given that they are trying to increase their student led funding these days in account for reduced government funding.

I am not in the position to pay the year fees (£4000) and would feel even worse if i had to take a loan from either the bank/my parents to account for my perceived failure. If faced with that choice, i think i would just not bother, sadly.

Revise & Resubmit :(

umma08 4 posts
9 years ago

Had my Viva last Friday, and received a revise and resubmit.

The weekend has not been great, as i have alternated between blame, self-doubt and depression. Self doubt and depression often win.

Luckily, i received the joint recommendations (informal copy) late in the afternoon, as my internal understood that i wanted some clarity as to exactly what was expected of me, especially as i wasn't in agreement with the two examiners.

Without getting too long winded, i had used a theoretical framework to understand my artistic practice and that of others (something that my external had done himself). Within the externals writing, he had stated that the theoretical frame could be used 'for everything', and this was something that i quoted back to him when i was being questioned by my internal on the validity of the framework.

In the Viva i was also able to directly acknowledge and describe the differences in the external's framing, and my own. They were similar, but took slightly different stances. However, my internal (known for provoking and stirring up debate and argument), did not accept the theoretical framing outright. At one point, the chair even had to jokingly ask my internal to debate with my external, as it seemed i was arguing for both my external's and my own validity of research.

The second thing is that my supervisor (who i respect greatly) is a definite expert in the sub-genre i was discussing. The internal and external are not. He accepted my theoretical framing (as have two peer reviewed journals prior to the Viva).This seemed to count for nothing in the Viva.

My thesis - which was heavily weighted towards theory has now been completely change to a portfolio thesis - meaning i have to strip away 30,000 words or more and focus on my practice only, also creating one new artwork (to bring the total 'output' up to the required amount). The theoretical work i had done is seen as below standard.

I feel pretty bad, and can empathise with all here. Support really appreciated!