======= Date Modified 19 08 2010 16:08:27 =======
Hi all,

I'm new to this forum- I've had a quick read through of some of the posts- this is a very useful website!

I've just counted the number of weeks left and I'm starting to panic :(

I've written 8 chapters which are pretty much advanced and complete drafts- although needs cutting down and I need to update my literature reviews. I'm also waaaay over the 80k word limit, more like 120k- but I know how and where to cut. I have two more chapters to write- ie the discussion chapters although I know what I'm going to write for the last 2 chapters.

My supervisor feels that I have a very advanced PhD- much more advanced than her PhD thesis, but I've counted how many weeks I have left and it's started to worry and it has left me in a state of shear panic!!!!

I'm meeting my supervisors this week, but I know their going to be negative with me (as they usually are) and I don't think I can take a grilling! especially when my self esteem and confidence in myself is very fragile at the moment!

I was planning to take today off away from my thesis(as I've worked non stop over the last few months), but working out how many weeks I have left has left me rather worried, not to mention accelerated heart beat!

My supervisors have not discussed vivas and examiners with me so I can only imagine that's because they feel I'm just not ready yet- which is adding to my negative thoughts, ie that I'm not good enough

Anyway, apologies for the rant- I would really appreciate some advice, even if its just advice in keeping calm!!

:-(

Thanks for reading! x

I remember that feeling. The best thing I think you can do is break down what needs to be done into a list, and start slowly working through it. Don't worry about the big picture all the time (ok that's easier said than done!), just worry about the task in hand at any given moment.

I'm a bit concerned about a very long thesis, but you should be able to cut it down. My thesis was the opposite problem, 10K words too short, but my supervisors said they always prefer a short one to a far-too-long one. So make sure you trim it.

But other than that, just keep going. Though it is ok to take days off. What about tomorrow? :)

======= Date Modified 19 Jul 2010 16:19:00 =======
Thanks Bilbo. I know exactly where to cut, so I'm hoping it won't be much of an issue cutting it all down....It's a very scary feeling knowing that I'm running out of time. I've started breaking everything down into little bits and setting myself small goals and mixing everything up (ie working on different chapters every 3-4 days) so that I'm not bored with my thesis

I don't think I can do this/ or ever reach the end of this! :p

Don't worry, this is normal. I was like that too.

But if you have a to-do list make sure you manually tick things off as you go along (either crossing out lines on the computer, or by pen on a bit of paper). That way you see the progress you're making, and aren't just stuck in the horrible situation all the time.

Ah pineapple! Like you I'm submitting in September, but I still have essentially half my thesis to write, not to mention corrections to you are in a good place compared to me! Take a day or two off, go and do something fun to help you relax and come back to it motivated and ready to tackle things. If you are anything like me you'll not be able to write if too stressed, I always just end up panicking about how little time I have and not actually doing anything!

I'm at the same sort of stage as you Pineapple and Algaequeen. Supervisor thinks I'll be submitted by september.

You sound like you're in a good position. Most it written, and written well with a good idea of what you'll be writing for the last bits. Sounds like it's in good shape based on what your supervisor said. I'd take a day off and relax, you'll feel better for it and be much fresher when it comes to writing again.

I wouldn't worry about viva dates and examiners not being mentioned yet. The more people involved the more difficult it gets to arrange so doubt you'll hear anything on that front until you're submitted. I have a rough idea of who the external is going to be based on who it has been for my supervisors last student but no idea on the date because there's no point arranging a date now. I might take too long to submit or I might submit early, and end up either with no time to prepare/have the thesis read or a huge amount of free time!

I'm worried about how many words people seem to write! I've done 8 chapters, which includes my general discussion and I'm only at ~45k words. Even with somethings I've thought to add and corrections I doubt I'll get much above 50k!

Good luck with the writing up!

it does vary a lot by discipline/department though. In my department (history) we were told to aim for 80-100K. And I came in well short, but even that was ok :)

Actually my thesis is only marginally longer than my husband's (computer science). I think his was quite long for his field though.

Definately crossing my fingers for quality over quantity :-) I'm in psychology. I checked a past student's thesis, in an area where there some theorectical crossover and they were just shy of 40k so I'm a little less worried now.

Mine's not even at 30k! :-)

I am in the self same hell as you Pineapple. Everytime I take some out, there is more to add in. Nightmare. I too am submitting in September/October. The only thing I would add to the excellent advice below (especially crossing stuff off the list -my favourite hobby!) is to check that there is not a minimum time scale by which youhave to alert the exams office to the fact that you want to submit your thesis. At my uni it is 3 months, and you have to have your examiners in place. Maybe you should check that this is not the case with yours so as to avoid any delay once those blasted words are on the page! Good luck.

back to work for me...

======= Date Modified 20 Jul 2010 19:42:33 =======
Hello all,

Many thanks for everyone's excellent advice. It's a comforting feeling knowing that I'm not alone.

I've said to my supervisor that I wanted to submit by the 30th of September. I have supervision with them tomorrow so I'm sure we will discuss it then. Although, I'm pretty sure their going to recommend that I apply for an extension- ie I have a strong feeling this is what I'm going to have to face :( . I disagree though, next 9 weeks or so will be a living hell, but I CAN do this. I know another PhD student who started the same year as me as already got her examiners etc sorted, so I'm sure they feel that I'll never get there :( It's soul destroying when they say things like pass with major corrections (if I don't meet some of their recommendations) it feels as if their trying to prepare me for the worst! I struggle enough as it is with my confidence levels! (could just be in my head though- ie me interpreting things the wrong way)

I seriously wanted to give up and quit this morning though :( I just can't bear the constant ups and downs of emotions and my increasing waist line due to inactivity and stress induced flab! Yes, I'm nearly there, but I hate this whole process.

I would't worry too much about what other people have done... A girl started a month before me and she submitted a year ago, and has been working for a year.

I feel a lot like a loser! :$

I hate it too Pineapple. I spent last night wondering what the hell I'm doing and if it's all really worth it. Which of course it is, somehow, I'm not sure entirely why yet (I can usually remember but it's slipped my mind now..). But we are most definitely not leaving this far to the end, imagine looking back in 5 or 10 years and regretting it?! I'd rather do another 9 weeks of hell that a lifetime of regret. We can take it, we are hard as nails! :-s

Ok pep talk over, time to get back to the drivel...although if you were planning your week off, take it, you need to trust and enjoy your breaks, you really will feel better for it!

Thanks for your continued support!

I've had my supervision this morning. Feeling very deflated :(  I've worked my butt off and they don't seem to have recognised that I've finished most of the work :(

We discussed external examiners etc so their going to start thinking about an appropriate examiner and I will be submitting end of September.

I was a bit upset that they said that the most likely outcome will be major corrections :( (because of the subject area amd potential requests to reword sections etc etc).

I'm trying to stay motivated, but talk about taking the wind out of my sails! Virtually no words of encouragement, just that I need to finish asap. I guess thats the ultimate aim at the end of the day. I miss the supportive words and positive encouragement from my work supervisors. I really wish I had supportive positive supervisors as opposed to supervisors who just make me feel really crap and demotivated!

I'm not happy :-(

Aww Pineapple, I know it's hard but try not to let it get you down! I hate when supervisors do this, it's not exactly what you need at this stage and they are just being twats. Focus on the positives, you've got most of the work done, you have your submission data and at least your supervisors are thinking of who to get for your viva. So you are in a good position, just ignore their comments for now, concentrate on getting your last 2 chapter done, and then take some time away and give yourself a break. Then go back, check over what you've done and make any changes you think you need and send it to your supervisors. Whatever they tell you, just be brave and make any changes you agree with. Remember it's your thesis, not theirs. If you are happy with what you've written and will be comfortable defending the content, the methods, results and the structure of your thesis in the viva then that is the best you can do.

And remember, negative supervisors don't always equal poor work, they could be awful people!