I'm in the third year of my full time PhD but I am way behind. I have known for the last 18 months or so that I would submit 3 months late but my supervisors have now said they think I will take an extra year to complete. I can't stand the thought of doing this for another 18 months!

To make it harder, my funding ends in September so I was planning on moving back home in July for 6 months (so that I don't completely run out of money). I can't ask my parents to support me for a whole year. Well I probably can but I really, really don't want to!

I feel like I should have given up 18 months ago when it became clear I'd wasted my first year and was basically starting again, but I feel like since I have conducted interviews and collected so much data it would be unethical for me to stop now. I have almost finished my data collection and I have written the introductory chapter and the first (of 3) lit review chapters.

Has anyone had a similar experience? Does anyone have any advice for how to reach a compromise with my supervisors? I am okay with submitting at the end of March 2015 but really no later. I want to get on with the rest of my life!!

Towards the end of my first year I had a big breakdown and almost went on suspension because I was so behind with work. My supervisors said to me: "A PhD isn't for everyone". I wish I had realised what they were saying and just quit while I was ahead instead of carrying on. I just feel like I'm not clever enough to finish it.

Thanks for any advice!

I don't understand why you have to reach a compromise with your supervisor. You can get it finished as quickly as you do the work. Surely what he is saying is that if you work at your present rate, it will take an extra year until he thinks you are ready to submit. I know people who have completed in 2 years and others taken 4 years nothing to do with their supervisors just how quickly they have worked. Maybe your supervisor said that you to try and encourage you to work faster

Hi serenstar,

I agree with Montanina, it is up to you when you will finish; I guess your supervisors provided only an estimation.

Moreover, it is very common for people to finish at 4 years rather than 3, and it is not the end of the world. I am currently 3 and a half years in. I still have a lot of writing up to do, and the whole process seems endless. I managed to extend my funding until June, which takes a lot of pressure off. There are some funding schemes in the universities for completing students. Hope you will get something.

Seems you are in a good track, as you have almost completed the data collection, which is the hardest part of the process. Try not to despair. Keep a positive attitude. Especially during the write-up you need to be happy and in control of the process. If you work hard and concentrated, it is possible to finish analysis and deliver a first draft by the end of the year.

You also need to keep in mind that from the first draft until the viva is a long process. Leave negative thoughts aside and keep swimming.