hmmm that's tricky...You can understand that there might be gaps in their knowledge in new research papers and techniques cause the field is constantly moving forward and I found myself sometimes trying to work out new concepts together with my supervisor (who is fantastic) and it happened that sometimes I or he says something that is completely wrong but then we correct it as we think about it again. However your case is a bit worrying as things like BLAST search or immuno, histo chemistry are quite basic knowledge... Which year are you? How is your second supervisor? Are you sure she's not actually testing your knowledge by playing ignorance?

Hi,
I have no experience with this but a close friend of mine just submitted and has a toddler. I'm so impressed cause it is really hard work. they have even more energy as they get older. I used to go round her place and look after his son for a few hours while ahe was trying to do some work. The last month, she was getting up at 3am and was doing work before he waked up, then took him to nursery for a few hours. Then she was looking after him in the afternoon till he went to bed, organizing food and she'd have an early night to do it all over again next day. Try to see if some friends could baby sit for a few hours and lock yourself in the office with ear plugs (my friend still brings me cake as thank you even though she has now finished!)
Good luck

Come on guys! Don't be shy! EMBRASS the title!
I'm a bit sad about the flight upgrade...:-(

I liked your tips, walminskipeas...They made me smile...and somehow are working! Thanks
An other one poped in my head:
imagine that it may get easier upgrades on a flight...(although that might be a legend...still a nice thought though...)

I felt like that too on my third year (same as you:lot of lab work left but supportive supervisors who think I'm great (that's what they say...)and thought I'll be ok: it seems to be everyone's favourite expression these days...) but I'd recommend you give yourself some targets as soon as possible! I was supposed to submit last week and didn't...do you think it would give more motivation?Panic? NOTHING! Now I'm to the point where I put myself a target of 100 words per hour:I'm recording everything on a piece of paper...It turns out that I write less than a 500 words a day even though I spend 10 hours in front of the screen but at least I can see how stupid I am for not doing anything about it and it actualy makes me go forward little by little... My boyfriend booked us some holidays at the end of this month to give me the motivation to submit by then...I'm afraid he'll have to go solo...It makes me sad but no matter how hard I try or shout at myself, it does not work!Winning the lotery is my favourite day dream but it ain't going to happen as I'm not playing! Anyway, the best way is little targets but make sure you meet them! You still have time!

Sorry I didn't realized that both threads were from the same person! It's good to hear that your friend is helping you keeping track. That's my technique too! Your supervisor seems more or less happy about it so I wouldn't worry too much! Go on finish it! you're nearly there!

I know exactly how you feel. Every time I have to give a draft, it takes a further month to actualy give it away! I'm now over the deadline of submition and although I keep telling myself it will be over at the end of the month (that's what I keep telling everyone) I doubt it! I'd like to thing that everyone have a blockage about finishing and that's because we care and it's quite a conforting place to be (don't laugh, it is as you know what tomorow will be like even though it means being miserable at your desk all day!) From what I've heared, you will still find mistakes whatever you do! I'm not happy either about the fluency between chapters and I know I would like to have it perfect because I spend so much time on it but I also know that I will have to let it go at some point! What does your supervisor think about it? Maybe you should trust his/her judgement...after all they are also putting their reputation at risk and they wouldn't let you submit if they were not happy...Good luck!

thanks for your message. I should have said 3 and a bit year in my first message (I had 4 months extention)! I know usualy people spend more than 3 years but it tends to be quite depressing and I have the impression I'll be stuck in front of that computer for ever! I can't wait to be a normal person again! And the pressure doesn't seem to have any effect on my tendency to procrastinate! It can be quite hard for people around you too! Anyway, better get back to work: I still have an introduction to write! Good luck to those in the same situation!

After 3 long years, here I am facing the inevitable... I'm definitevely not going to submit tomorow... I feel like crap, people around you tell you it's going to be ok and my boyfriend is clearly as frustrated as me and tiried of trying to be supportive...please tell me I'm not the only one!