Thanks for all the very quick responses! It's nice to hear that not asking is considered quite helpful, rather than appearing uncaring.

It's a good thing I also enjoy cooking, going out for coffee and the nitpicky reference parts of proofreading so it's not going to be too hard to follow this great advice.

Thank you (and if you think of anything else I'm going to be a willing ear for several more weeks yet!)

My boyfriend is has now hit his self-imposed two months to submission deadline (which I am aware he may exceed). He's often been stressed and antagonistic towards his PhD and I know that will only escalate as the day comes closer. I try to be supportive, but I know that being asked how he is only makes him feel worse, so I was hoping I could get some advice on how to support him from people who have been/are going through a similar thing.

I know I can't make the PhD worry better, but I'd like to make the rest of his life as pleasant as possible.

Is there anything that you would/have really appreciated during those final months? It can be as mundane as doing all the housework, or involve more expensive suggestions. Any advice would be a real help!

Thanks,
Sarah

(Sorry if this has already been asked before - I searched the forum and couldn't find anything close enough)