The external examiner asked, " How long has it been?" and I answered, " Shall I tell you a story?" I don't think they expected a story but I told them nonetheless. Here is a very truncated version:
I grabbed the Phd Studentship with both hands and lived to regret it for 8 years. During this time, I was crushed like a tin can at every supervision session for 3 years. When I started paying fees in the 4th year, I fired the supervisors only to fall into another disastrous, albeit short, relationship with a new set of supervisors. I got fired by the university on the grounds that I was a basket case. Thankfully, I found my own supervisor in another university and completed the thesis sucessfully. It was a very long and torturous journey but I made it.
So, to all of you out there who are experiencing the rite of passage, hang in there. Conviction and perseverence is most required when embarking on a Phd. Good luck guys and dolls!

Thank you for your good wishes. I think I should relax but might take some time because I've got so used to the stress that I must now learn to do what comes naturally.

Dear All,
Just wanted to share the good news. After a very long and convoluted journey, I finally got the sweetest message, " Congratulations, Dr XXX!" Good luck to all who are in the last lap of their academic journey.
,-)

Three cheers for the champion! What next, and how did you celebrate? Well done, matey!

Thank you. I'm just so glad that I can go shopping and watch telly without feeling guilty anymore. I know I should feel on top of the world but I think that would only happen on my graduation, and then it would definitely be OVER!;-)

Dear PhDers,
An epic journey which has finally ended, last Thursday to be precise. It was a very long and convoluted journey. I can say that I have attempted Everest. Now, I await the viva and then my final goodbye to this forum.
Good luck to those who have chosen this journey!,-)

I didn't give up and someone out there, my current supervisor, took me under his wings. It's been 7 years and I hope to submit soon. So for all who's thinking of throwing in the towel, hang in there. It's a personal quest and one thing you'll be proud of for the rest of your life.
Good luck people.,-)

My advice is to go before it's too late. Sounds like a really messy situation you are in. I tried to negioate with my supervisors who knew little about my subject and was shoehorned for many years into doing something they were comfortable with. Well, it's reverse engineering for me now and thankfully found a supervisor who knows about medical anthropology.
Like you, I stayed for the security and money. You'll be surprised that the world is not as small as they want you to believe.
Good luck

Hello people,
Thought I was mad to complete the PhD and work at the same time. However, I think its a good move as I am now in a position to apply for loads of jobs as I am working and finishing with the aim to submit before the games come to town. I won't take that long as I am currently editing the chapters and submitting the first complete draft by August. It's hard work working full time and trying to finish the PhD. I've taken unpaid leave for 2 weeks to complete the write-up. Like someone said, better to put on your CV that you are an RA rather than a shelf stacker.
Good luck

Dear Xeno,
Sorry to hear that things are not well. Tell us more about your project and we might be able to shed light on your plight.
Best wishes.

Dear Ruby,
Hang in there and tackle the resubmission in little chunks, one day at a time; perhaps limit yourself to 1 hour initially and then focus on other aspects of your life.
Best wishes

Hi there,
Yes, a couple of PhDers quit between 3-18 months of their studentship due to various reasons and restarted another elsewhere. No point carrying on when you know you are unhappy. The PhD is always there but don't exchange it for your happiness, here and now.
Trust your instincts. Good luck.

Well said Smoobles! Hear, hear.
Darn right, sounds like a personal attack on BHC - couldn't have put it better myself.

Sleepyhead made a very sensible comment - happy clappers can be annoying in large doses. I don't think BHC is whatever XJR says he/she is. On the contrary, I think BHC is rather pragmatic and realistic. From my observation, its usually the contentious issues which attracts posters and viewings. The "happy" ones get a one-liner response usually "Horray" or "Well done" but the "troubled" ones get loads of advices etc.
Soldier on BHC, your posts are thought provoking and sometimes illuminating.

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Dear Olivia1,

Comisserations plus,plus. I hope the posts are helping to alleviate your pain. I went to a workshop a while ago and the take home message was "pain is what the patient says it is- a PhD is what the examiner(s) say it is". What a comparison! This appears to be an accepted harsh reality but that does not mean it should be taken lying down? Challenge the system, they can only say no and I hope they have sleepless nights for screwing your academic career! Recently, a mate of mine failed her PhD, outright! The examiners (both) thought that the thesis should never have been submitted. Anyway, it turned out that the supervisors were cowboys and consequently asked to leave the university as there were too many failed PhDers under those 2 plonkers. She started the PhD from scratch using the data collected and 3 years later was awarded a PhD with no revisions. I hope you don't have to take the long road to PhD. Please keep us posted on the outcome. Best wishes.