When I was most productive I wrote a task list out for the next day at the end of my day. Then I would sit at my computer first thing in the morning and work on the hardest task that needed the most concentration/energy before checking emails etc. That gave me confidence that I was working through things. Try to keep your focus on the tasks to do and be systematic rather than the stress you feel about the amount of work you have to do.

I've read an article this week that says when you check email/facebook etc it takes 16 mins for your brain to return it's focus to the task at hand... It's easier said than done to turn off all social media whilst working as it's lonely sitting at your computer all day but try to limit it.

Hello

I have just come through this - I am just about to take my viva and I returned to my studies last year after ML. So it can be done! I have gone through a lot of ups and downs this year trying to juggle everything so just know that it's normal to feel overwhelmed but you have to just keep going.

My tips would be to have help from family/ have a childminder/ nursery so that you have dedicated time to work. Ideally it would be good if it can be flexible so that if you get into a good patch of working you can go with it.

I have also found meditation to be invaluable to help me switch from mummy mode to working mode quickly so that I use my time effectively (as effective as you can be when you're tired etc!) Here's a link I use:

Finally, to manage your own expectations of what you can achieve and to agree your scope clearly with your supervisors. I've had to be pragmatic about my research to get it finished.

Good luck x

timefortea you don't sound bad at juggling to me, you sound pretty amazing!

I've been in the same position. I got pregnant in my second year and took 10 months of ML. I thought I would only take 6 months (which was paid with my studentship) but I found it took quite a while for things to settle down with my little one sleeping and eating, getting settled into childcare etc. I tried to write as much as I could before going on ML but I think there is a culture of writing up mainly in your third (& unpaid fourth year) in terms of getting feedback etc. Overall, there have been positives and negatives - I have found writing up very tough indeed. I am a hardworker, very disciplined etc but it's just very tiring with a newborn/toddler. I didn't think about my little one getting poorly all the time when starting childcare etc. My stipend ran out as I was working part time so I've been paying for childcare whilst not being paid which has put pressure on me writing up. The positives have been the flexibility - I don't have to rush out the door as I work from home. If my little one is ill I can stay at home without needing to explain to anyone etc. I can look a total mess and no-one knows :) I wouldn't change what I've done for the world as I love being a mum but I have seen the challenges I've faced compared to my other mum friends who have a more stable working situation.

Here are some things that have helped me - (1) I did some associate work and paid NICs for being self-employed before getting pregnant. This entitled me to maternity allowance as well as my stipend. Look up the finer details on the gov website. There are a certain number of weeks you have to be self-employed to do this to qualify. (2) I wish I had planned I would need more than 6 months off for ML and (3) that I had accepted that most people run into a fourth year for writing up, then I would have budgetted better. I also wish (4) I had applied for job seakers allowance as soon as my stipend ran out. I have never applied for benefits etc before and felt too uncompfortable to apply for JSA, but I have found that the financial pressure to finish and find work has put a huge pressure on us as a family and on my writing up.

These are, of course, only my experiences and everyone and every PhD is different. I found that I couldn't wait to have a baby, I think you just have to follow your heart.

Hello,

My PhD funding has just come to an end. I have a toddler and am paying childcare costs. I have done some work on a self-employed basis, but not much in the past year. I'm married and my husband's wage falls above the threshold for child tax credits. Although I have some self-employed work lined up for the next couple of months I'm concerned the timelines will be pushed back and I won't be paid for a while. I'm currently applying for jobs.

This might sound silly but does anyone have any advice on whether I'm entitled to any benefits?! When I was pregnant it was only after a lot of digging around I realised I was entitled to maternity allowance due to the self-employed work I'd undertaken. No-one seems to understand the complexities of non-taxable PhDs when you phone for advice and the standard online calculators don't apply.

Thanks in advance :)

Thank you PamW - the house isn't on the market yet but the landlord has said he would like to sell. He is lovely though and wouldn't kick us out. The thing is I am currently expecting my first baby (still early days so I haven't told my supervisors yet) and my husband wants to go self-employed. So I really want to get the house to feel settled and if we don't buy now we will have to wait until my husband has 2 years of accounts to back up his new self-employed status. I think we are going to have problems though. I had a financial advisor over last night and he wasn't very positive about our situation. Very frustrating! Has anyone recently managed to get a mortgage?

I really want to buy the house that we're currently renting but have discovered that most lenders don't view a PhD stipend as income as it's non-taxable. The lenders would accept a temporary employment contract but won't accept I have over 12 months of my ESRC stipend left. I don't understand it. In addition, we can just about get the house if my husband is the only named person on the mortgage and it is based on his income. But I am being classed as a financial dependant which means we can borrow much less even though i have my own proof of income. :(

Has anyone else been in this situation or does anyone have any advice?

Hello all! I was just wondering if anyone has used meta-analysis before? I am wanting to synthesise economic evaluations using observational studies and am coming up against some issues with the studies I want to use (most don't report variance and none report beneficiary level data etc)... would be great to be able to share ideas with someone that has used this methodology. No-one in my department has used it so I don't feel like I have anyone I can discuss it with. Thanks x