Is it normal to go through this horrendous stage of doubting whether you should submit or not?

My official intention to submit deadline is still 3 weeks away, but I feel ready. I've printed the whole thing out, read it, and I feel I can do no more between now and then which wouldn't just be sticking extra bits in for the sake of it. One more journal quotation there, one more book chapter reference here - it won't make a difference now. The nuts and bolts are there, so should I just go for it, and do it early, to put myself out of my misery?

I'm proud of the work I've produced, but it's like the One Ring in the Lord of the Rings - I don't want to let go of my precious, to let two people get stuck into it...

Submit - or wait til the deadline?

Submit! And well done! :)

Submit! :-)

The feeling you have is absolutely normal, I was utterly scared when I finally submitted: 'what if I forgot/misinterpreted an important reference?' 'how many typos didn't I spotted yet?' 'did I miss some important discussion point?' etc etc etc

Just submit and move on! You've earned it, well done!

Submit if feel you can't do anything more substantial. Don't torture yourself.

I was glad to see the back of mine and was able then to press on with viva preparation.

Ian

Printed. Binding tomorrow, and submitting tomorrow.

Yes there's bits which are slightly weaker than others, but I hope there are some strong parts too.

I had to draw a line under it eventually, and tomorrow is when this happens.

Nervous, anxious, excited, climactic, anti-climactic... not sure how to feel. Life goes on as usual until the viva I guess.

I teach in my department, and I've got some conference/journal papers to sort out, so it won't be a drastic change of lifestyle. Onwards and upwards.

Congratulations!!!! :-)

And yes, it's a utterly odd feeling, the anxiety will fade out in the next days though :-)

I sympathize with the way you feel, for me it was much the same, and especially - as you say - I didn't know how to feel after submission, waiting for the viva, after the viva...it's somehow not clear WHEN you're supposed to really feel relieved, isn't it??

But you've achieved what is probably the biggest milestone: thesis submitted!!!! Go celebrate properly and enjoy this moment, before moving on with the usual ups and downs tomorrow :-)

xxxW