Hi Kim, I remember your story well and I think we exchanged a few messages about it. Personally, I would have lost my patience and let go of this some time ago. The institution sounds massively disorganised. I recall you telling me which institution it was and I explained how it was not the best, nor worst, but a very mid-ranking institution without much exposure. I think it is too much to risk with how much they have strung this out already- they do not sound particularly trustworthy. What happens if you get the job, complete the massive task of organising everything to move and then they stall things further?

I understand that you say the economy is not very good where you are now, but I would seriously start a search for another job if I were in your shoes. There are many more reputable institutions that would be lucky to have your skills, experience and commitment that are much more organised.

My main research question has remained the same since the beginning, but my title will certainly change due to the way my thesis took shape. This is something my supervisor has agreed to speak to me about though in the future. Could you do some mind mapping and then maybe discuss with your supervisor?

Like many others have mentioned here, being told that my thesis is not of PhD standard in viva, or them opening with 'we have serious concerns about your thesis' in viva.

I recently have had some funny viva dreams which I shall disclose here for giggles. I had one where it was over really quickly and I passed with minor corrections. Then, I woke up (in my dream) disappointed that I had not passed my viva. Then I had the 'real' dream viva where I had 11 examiners and they were all getting drunk on wine and passed me because they were really drunk. Then on my way out of my department the building began to collapse. I then woke up thinking 'I have just been through my viva twice, I can't be bothered doing it again!' haha

I completed data collection before my third year rolled around and I would struggle to write anything at all during those times. It would take hours to travel to my participants and back again and sometimes whole weeks were taken up by data collection. During this time I had 3 teaching jobs too so my travel time was spend marking assignments and lesson prepping. It was an exhausting time!

My funding ends in October and I do not expect to have the full thesis done and dusted by then, just the full draft. I will likely be having my viva in 2017 as it will take time for the supervisor to read it and for me to make amendments. I spoke to an old tutor recently who is the most organised person I have ever met and she took 3.5 years too as she wanted to ensure it was as good as possible before submission. Only one person in my department finished under 3 years and they used secondary data so no data collection was involved.

Thank you Chickpea and agree with you there one hundred percent! In previous years I would have just tried to muscle on through but I think when you become a bit wiser during the PhD you realise that rest is important :)

Thank you for your well wishes Hugh :) Illness never comes at the right time!

How many chapters do you have left after this one? My initial aim was to have this one I am writing submitted but giving myself two extra weeks to finish it and carry out my 'combing'!

Well guys I have been to the doctors as I was bed ridden with nausea and sickness for the past few days after feeling unwell generally for two weeks and it seems I have a nasty ear infection! Thankfully I have anti nausea tablets now so I may be able to make some progress on the PhD this week finally! I have shifted my deadlines back a week to compensate for the lost time.

What are your aims for this week everyone?

You're welcome Hugh, and I agree with you both Hugh and Chickpea regarding taking a bit longer to avoid difficulties later on. I had to tap into a whole area of literature that I had not previously considered which took a few weeks to accomplish.

Hot chocolate makes me quite sleepy so I am not sure that will cut it haha though I do have a lot of herbal teas in the cupboard Chickpea so I think I shall go and make a cup. I do like lemon and ginger tea!

I am having to juggle my writing time as I have a paper to write for an upcoming conference which is stressing me out a bit actually, but I am sure I will survive.

Well done Hugh! I set myself the deadline of 30th April for this chapter but it has taken a lot of extra reading to write, so it is taking longer than I expected so I am thinking I need to give myself an extra week. I have also discovered something that may make the rest of my PhD journey difficult...my body can't seem to handle coffee anymore :o I had my usual 2 cups this morning then I had to lay down for two hours due to some intense nausea. So, today has not been productive so far.

I do what I refer to as 'combing' for editing. I go through and highlight sentences, paragraphs etc. I would like to edit which then means I can just jump through the document to each 'item' that needs reworking. I then 'comb' through and edit each one (removing the highlight upon completion of each one) but skip ones that I really cannot be bothered to do at that moment. I then 'comb' through again and address the areas a bit later that I avoided doing earlier. I then give everything a final proof read a couple of times. I hope this helps!

This is why I am getting it proof read after my supervisor has seen a draft and after I have made any amendments before final submission. At least I can go in with the confidence then that it is as polished as possible before the examiners see it.

I have a two part literature review and it is too long I feel- one is around 11k and the other 14k. I am hoping to chop it down in the editing stages- I think your proposed 10k is reasonable!

I completely understand Chickpea! I went into my department today for a meeting then took ages to return to my writing up den at home because I sat in the park for a while on the way back to enjoy the sunshine! Now its nighttime and I am panic writing...I have two conferences coming up in summer and one of them requires me to write a 5k paper so I am trying to get on with that as I cannot believe it is almost May all of a sudden eep!

I have a 14k chapter that is largely dedicated to explaining why I feel this way about one theorist!

That is a terrible experience muspectrum :( so sorry to hear you went through that. I am months from finishing so there is little point changing. When they do read my work, I get detailed considered feedback, it just takes a long time. I have also saved cash to pay for a proof reader before the final draft is submitted! 'Talking to them' is what I would like to do when I actually get the chance to meet with them...

I think the key is remembering that every little task you do means you are getting closer to the end :)

I'm just doing lots of reading this week to help me with writing a chapter, but it makes me feel so sleepy!