Hugh- There is no issue with proof-reading as far as everyone in my department is concerned. All the PhDs before me used one and passed details of proof readers onto us for when we needed them. A friend in my department was awarded minor corrections and told to have her thesis professionally proof read before submitting the corrections, so it is a perfectly acceptable thing to do!

TreeofLife- I am currently applying for one professional services job but it is closely related to my thesis so I hope this may help. I have also worked with them casually before. What you are saying is helpful though, and I am happy you have realised which direction you would like to go in :) So I guess be super super enthusiastic if I get shortlisted? haha

I am the same- I don't want to relocate as my partner has a good job here and i have moved a crazy amount of times in the past.

I am applying for a mix of academic e.g. research/teaching and non-academic jobs that are within universities e.g. those in professional services. I am really not fussy on that front, I just want some money coming in so I can keep a roof over my head. Also, if you take a job and dislike it, you are not bound to that role forever and can move on. So this has informed my approach of applying for absolutely anything within universities!

Woohoo, I am inspirational! haha

Yes I think there is no harm in starting the applications now, even if nothing comes of it, it is good practice :) After my first few applications I am getting faster as I am able to reuse bits of cover letters and tweak them. I am currently on with my 5th- I wasn't shortlisted for two and the other two I am still awaiting the outcome. I was a bit disheartened in the early stages but a good thing to remember is it takes lots of applications to get a role. I was recently at a conference and people were telling me it took between 100-120 applications to get their current jobs :o

I am right there with you guys- I worked for a couple of hours yesterday then went to visit a friend (they are due to have a baby soon!)

Today I have barely done anything, but I am determined to finish this dreaded policy section in my introduction chapter! I will feel better when it is done :)

Chickpea- snap, my partner is away this week on holiday so I have an empty flat. I keep getting distracted with household stuff. Laundry becomes so fascinating when you are facing a bit of writing that you are dreading completing!

I am taking ten days off in August but its because I am having minor surgery (for breathing issues) and I cannot leave the house for a good week. I will be a bit bruised and swollen. I will still be working from home when I feel up to it, but I am officially on annual leave so I can avoid meetings etc. I am not too worried about taking time off at this stage and I think if you feel you would benefit from a rest then do it :) even if it is just a long weekend.

I am honestly hoping that my sup will be a bit faster as I am coming to the end and I hope that is the case with you too Hugh!

What is everyone up to this week?

Hi Hugh, thanks for the sympathies haha I got it submitted and aiming to do another this week- initially I had 3 to do this week but I am so strapped for time I am having to be selective over the ones I am applying for while still writing the PhD.

Word counts, argghh- I am also 20k over, but I am editing from the start of the thesis chronologically and plan to cut stuff as I edit (hopefully!)

Submission- aiming for the draft to be submitted October at the very latest. Actual submission may be December as my sup has to read it all and they are always super busy, so that part is out of my hands really (frustrating!)

Late to the party, but I returned from a conference abroad the other day. I had a rest and now I am trying to sort another job application by the end of today, and I have a few more to apply for over the coming week.

As for the PhD, I will be returning to the editing on Monday. I am feeling a bit gloomy about it all recently as I am struggling to balance the time and effort of job applications with the editing of the thesis. When I am working on one, I am fretting over the other!

Glad it helped :)

I would just like to moan about applying (and being rejected) for jobs. I would also like to add that it is not helpful when your sup wonders why you aren't going for jobs that are about a quarter of the hours of part time hours, and perceiving you as being unrealistic for wanting a job that covers the rent.

I use a single quotation for any quotes, and double quotation for quotes within a quote...e.g. if a participant says 'so my mum said "why are you applying there?" and I thought...' (completely made up quote). I hope that makes sense!

I think that worrying about cutting before the full draft is together will just be too distracting, so I think it is the best plan!

We will have to keep updating each other when we are cutting word counts for motivation haha

I also worry about repetition, but I really think it is best to have the whole thesis draft before attempting to identify and edit this. I imagine that it will be much easier to detect and address once you have a full thesis draft- or at least I hope...I have about 12k to cut from my thesis!

I did consider putting the coding framework in the appendices and I think I may do this. My appendices are already very long though. I was reassured by a friend who submitted at my institution last year that they can bind up to 500 pages in one file, so it may be worth checking with the printing services at your institution. Even at present with my overly long thesis and appendices, it doesn't hit 500 pages. I plan to deal with the appendices in one 'chunk' of time later and see if there are any that are worth leaving out.

Chickpea- you have the right idea! I would be having a week off after submitting my conclusion chapter, but I am off to another conference at the weekend and I am still preparing my paper. I plan to have a week off in early August as I really do feel like I need a break!

Hugh- Today I have been starting the editing process. I have been working on my introductory chapter that is only half finished. I have not accomplished very much today- I am writing about the policy background of my work and I find it depressing and mind numbing. So, this week I aim to have most of the policy section done, and have completed my conference paper.

Do not be worried about feedback. Right now I would love any feedback even if it is a bit negative. My sup has had one of my chapters for two months now...

So, what are everyone's plans/goals for this week?

I can't wait for that either!

I am frustrated too, probably because I am applying for jobs now and I feel like the PhD is holding me back in an odd way. It is just hanging over me whilst I am trying to move on, but at the same time it is required in order to move on. When I submit the draft I am totally having a duvet day!