I'm at 50000 words (have to reach 80000), but as a part-time student, and a seriously ill one, I'm not rushing to submit anytime soon. Better to get there more slowly in my case. But I started writing early on, partly to see how much material I already had, partly to identify gaps that need to be plugged with a bit more research. olivia's advice is really spot on. The only thing I'd add is that mini deadlines can really help encourage progress. Agree a thesis writing plan with your supervisor (when you'd like to have drafts of specific chapters and sections), and see how you get on with that. It's likely to fluctuate, but should help. But the words will come on their own.

My chapters have to be pretty polished (not zero drafts or even plain first drafts), but there can be areas where I indicate more research still to be done, or questions I have (I put those in bold in the footnotes!). But there's a difference between pretty polished and fully polished. I have to draw the line in polishing a draft somewhere, otherwse my supervisors won't ever get anything to read!

What you need to convince your supervisor is how you are going to finish your thesis between now and September. Don't go over the past all over again. It won't help matters. Just focus on what you've been doing over the last few weeks, and how you plan to finish by September. And be realistic in your timetable to include time for redrafting. Otherwise your supervisor won't think it's viable.

Well done jojo. I sent in 2 chapter drafts today (emailed to 1 supervisor, posted to the other one 500 miles away!) and share your feelings. I'm sure I could have fiddled with them more but there comes a time when I need to send something in, and it's better to stop and send in what I have. Now I'm having a short break before starting drafting the next 2 chapters: the last 2 big ones of my thesis. Once they're done I've just the conclusions and bibliography to go. And much redrafting!

Why can't you arrange the counselling yourself? It's what happens at my university. Assuming you're at QMUL their Counselling page has contact details. See http://www.welfare.qmul.ac.uk/contact/index.html

Sorry you're having a tough time Lara. I'd echo pamplemousse's recommendation to see a counsellor though, and indeed I've suggested this to you in the past. As I said then you're going to face tougher times over the next 3 months (even seeing your supervisor in the next few weeks is going to be mighty scary!). Having someone proper to talk to about how you're feeling could really help you get through this and find a positive way out of things. Arrange the counselling sooner rather than later, then you have it in place as you need it.

Yes, and I already had a published paper and significant material that was ready to slot into chapters. Actually turning them into coherent chapters though is a totally different undertaking.

And Jojo's experience also reflects mine. I'm humanities too which might make a difference, but redrafting can be required in all disciplines. This can take longer than unexpected, depending on how long a supervisor takes to give feedback and how severe that feedback is.

I agree with Aloha. I started a writing-up timetable a considerable time ago. My supervisor feedback meant that I had to totally redraft 4 of my main chapter, and largely start from scratch again. That pushed my timetable back considerably. Sure if all goes well and your supervisor is 100% behind what you're doing then 3-4 months may be realistic (for a full-timer), but if not expect to allow considerable extra time.

Starting at 21 isn't so unusual. I know lots of people who did. I was 18 when I went to university (normal in my part of the UK) and started a PhD immediately after finishing my Bachelors degree. But then I became seriously ill and had to leave. Second time around I was 31 on starting.

My husband used "we" in his science thesis. I find it very weird as a humanities student, but he got through.

It depends on subject and supervisors. So far I've had one journal paper published, and I'm the sole author. I've other papers in the pipeline and I'll be the sole author for them too. I'm a humanities student though. In science it's much more normal to have many authors.

Deadlines really focus the mind :)

Good luck.

I use speech recognition software sometimes for disability reasons. But it doesn't cope well with my obscure history terms, despite retraining, and I find it a strange way of working. I tend to use it to brainstorm ideas, or if all else absolutely fails (like my arms stop working!) But I'd much rather touch-type, and am hoping I get to the end of my thesis that way.

Either get on with the paper-chapter rewrite, or turn to another chapter until you've had a chance to thrash out the issue with your supervisor properly (because they're going to have to approve whatever you do). You don't have time to spend getting really upset about things, and you're probably going to have worse things to face before the end of this. And if you're still really upset about it go and see a counsellor at your university. It's usually free for students and it might help you a lot.