Hi everyone, I submitted my corrections and have now been awarded the Phd - finally :-).
This is just a thank you to all the people on this forum who have been a massive help over the whole write up period as well as the viva and re-submission, who helped me through their encouragement, sharing experiences and stories as well as funny moments.There are so many people I want to thank but im sure I will end up not mentioning everyone -( if i miss you out it was unintentional and I apologise in advance) , Ady - thanks for having such an open hand with articles, Sneaks your stories always inspired me and made me laugh, Skig and Dunni73 - for your words of encouragement, Mak_2011 for always having a positive word for everyone, Keenbean, BilboBaggins, Delta, Dr.Corrine, Pineapple29 all of you for making this journey that little bit more bearable :-)

Thats all for now - I do wish everyone who is in the journey all the very best and keep strong and on this forum because someone else has gone through what you are dealing with now :-).....

I am now faced with the age old question when do i start to refer to myself as Doctor- I thought there would be a moment when someone tells you ' start now' - oohhh well onwards and upwards

I hope to come back often and contribute whenever I can because I know many people need the same support that i recieved here.

Cheers once again xxx

Hi sneaks - i hope you see this - im sooo late to your party!! SUPER CONGRATULATIONS what a brilliant result!! you worked really hard and defo deserve it!! i hope you partied hard xx

hey hey anyone around? ,.... and the work continues - we can do it!!(up)

Hi Hailey and anyone else who is pushing on through the night!!!
I have had a few days off as had to work on something else, but I cant afford to not sit up and write on a night now ... so here goes .. i hope we can encourage each other through this... and we can all have a lovely xmas post the real xmas day :-).... im loosing track of the point of my comment .- yeah!!!! it was to say to hailey that I too have come to the realisation that waking up at 5 in the morning is something I let go of at about 16 or something, now I burn the midnight oil and burn it well....the only time I have been able to work at that time is when I wake up unplanned and then I am hit by this massive panic attack and have to get out of bed because my brain wont keep quiet.. and then I can do a few hours of work!! but otherwise its a huge struggle and really pointless as you just end up feeling like you are punishing yourself:-(... on a more positive note .... I think what counts is, working when you feel most up to it as thats when you are most productive...
all the best everyone;-)

I just had to leave a comment on here- THANK YOU - sneaks - I think you just solved all my problems with the simple way to look at my epistemlogy.
I could literally hug you :-) I am sending you a hug over the waves )))))))..cheers for this tip.(up)(gift)

thanks alot everyone for the suggestions, I am making sure I am consistent in a similar way to how you have mentioned clupea- I have also asked my sup. waiting for his feed back on this - will keep you posted (up)

Hey sneaks,- I didnt have anything on the spine- everything was on the cover.....
all the best- the end is indeed quite nigh for you - well done :p

Hi Ady, thanks for the response- they did mention it- I think its more to do with the fact that I wasnt consistent especially in my lit review so I am going through all of it with a fine toothed comb( figuratively :p). cheers and again all the best with your prep.(up)

Hiya, in the midst of my corrections- I have a question! Should I be using past tense through out the research?  specifically in the literature review?
I know its sounds a bit daft and maybe really obvious to some but I had a few issues with whether I should be saying things as past while my type of research could be an ongoing scenario--

Just read this back I don't even know if this makes sense? Oh well - any  suggestions? ta!:-)

Hi Ady,
firstly good luck withthe prep .. im sure you will do GREAT!! and on the error - dont even loose sleep on that one - its down to a typo anyone can see that and examiners wouldnt pin you to the wall on something like that. I had a blunder where I mentioned that I had discussed something which I hadnt because I had changed a whole chapter!! I literally wanted to die- but all the examiners said was you need to correct that- honestly dont worry!!

Hey sneaks,
I am also available to help!! if needed let me know and I will pm you my email...

Hey Skig..I am in the process of mapping the way forward clearly... today is literally the first day I have been able to deal with stuff coherently.
Dont be too hard on yourself as long you keep the focus in mind you will be fine... I wish you all the best in sorting out the schedule -- we could work to encourage each other (up)

Hi Hailey, Lindalou83 and Pineapple29, and anyone else on this thread I may have missed out,

I just wanted to say that I have joined in as well.... with my post viva corrections.... I have till may. But I am determined to see the back of this thesis by February! It means working tirelessly, but I have found the courage by reading everyones posts on here and strongly believe that I can start ticking of the corrections, whatever comes my way I am sure I(we)will overcome it -Trust and believe :-)

Bon courage to one and all

P.S - pineapple29 - dont you worry we will celebrate christmas after we have submitted we could call it the post thesis extended xmas celebrations ;-) complete with xmas tree and thesis copy under the tree as a present from santa !!!

Hi Skig

Thank you so much for your support... I just saw your comment on my last thread( passed VIVA) thank you for being positive- I need all the positivity I can get my hands on :-)

How is your work going?

Hi all,
After a week off where I experienced all the emotions you can think of, shock, denial, anxiety, anger, (upsetness~ lots of this) and finally acceptance. I have now found the strength to face the changes I am required to make. Then Q my laptop dying- its almost laughable- I take it to the shop and they say I will see it in two weeks:-s...anyway luckily we have another old computer in the house and I will work on that for the time being.....

In summary my viva was one of the most challenging experiences that I have faced, the external stated that she had read my thesis quickly while at airports etc...(dont get me started - why would you tell the candidate that?) anyway she basically had an idea of what I should have revealed in my work even though I have explained that my focus was on somethng else.. long story short it was a gruelling one hour - but my internal was much better she understood my thesis and was very positive - in the end I did pass with corrections amounting to 6 months to complete (I hope that through this forum I will be able to complete them in much less time than that!) I will stay positive and not focus on what was, as that is now past.


I just summarised that experience as I am determined to encourage others who are in the same situation as myself.WE CAN DO IT (up)