It wouldn't be a book related to my PhD or academia.

Thank you for responding and for the good advice.

When writing a book, do you try to get a publisher before beginning or after?

Any other advice also welcome.

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A quick call to the research office should confirm whether or not you have to pay the money back (you don't need to give your name if that concerns you).

Normally terms and conditions can be found online.

You might like to see if you would be entitled to JSA, if you are actively looking for work and while you are job hunting you could perhaps work Frantically on your PhD.

The other posters are right, do not change anything in a quote and you can quote me on this!

I hope everything with you mum goes well and so fingers crossed...

Hi Wally,

I hope you're OK. I was nowhere near that distance away but I had just started a good job (I was about a month in post), 300 miles away from home when my dad took a serious heart attack. Although my employers were great and I got home to see him, my dad made it clear he wanted me to return to work because it was a good job and one I'd worked hard to get. I did return to work, much to my employers surprise, and just devoted myself to work. The way I saw it, if I kept myself busy I'd have less time to dwell and it helped greatly. You have time on your hands and so you will think the worst but try to wait until you hear the outcome of the referral but perhaps prime your employers to see how they feel about you travelling home.

I very much feel for you but if you intend to stay in Australia you need to start trying to make friends and a life for yourself. People have their own lives and so you'll have to make the moves and it's not easy making new friends but you'll have to try. Join some sport clubs etc or organisations that represent your interests. 'Meet up' might be good. I like running, I'm not good at it but I like it, and so I've joined a running club. I sometimes have a coffee with people after the run and people are friendly. Work is work but to get through life you need other things including friends.

Feel free to contact me.

Jonnyt,

Please don't take offence but was it not you who left their last PhD because you hated the isolation? You were indecisive then but eventually left the PhD and seemed to think it was the right decision. My feeling is you should not do a PhD based on your previous postings. Apologies if it sounds harsh but I think it's good advice.

I tried to get a funded PhD in my area of interests for 6 years and no matter how hard I tried I just couldn't. One year, I got fed up and applied for a number of PhD's and took the one offered (it came with funding). Didn't like the PhD topic but am glad I did it as I was unemployed and it provided security for 3 years. My interests and the topic I did for a PhD are within the same discipline but not alike. This concerned me but I was given good advice (I believe) and was told it was better to be doing something than nothing and that there is room for moving from one topic area to another and that a PhD does not define you as a researcher.

Life experience has taught me that friends come and go. I tried to get a funded PhD in my area of interests for 6 years and no matter how hard I tried I just couldn't. One year, I got fed up and applied for a number of PhD's and took the one offered (it came with funding). Didn't like the PhD topic but am glad I did it as it cleared my debts. Trust me, in life people move on and move away and so if you've got the offer of a PhD in your area of interest - grab it!

Just my view.

I can't offer much but just to say I'm in exactly the same boat and know I'm not the only one. I've been looking for about 18 months now and very seriously looking for about a year (since I submitted). I've had about 6 interviews but no job offers. Like you, I've no publications but don't intend to head down the academic route. I only apply for research posts if they are local to me. I've started looking at going down the self-employment route but am still at the very early stages.

I just wanted you to know you're not alone and I wish you well.

Hi Reenie,

I don't use the forum much anymore but it would be good if the word count was increased as sometimes posts are cut off mid-flow. This also applies to PMs. It can be annoying.

On another note, I never did get my five stars ;)

Make a list of all the errors you spot and take it into the viva with you. However, don't hand this over but wait until if or when these are raised by the examiners. That's what I'd do (I've completed my PhD). I know it's easy to say but try not to worry as there's nothing you can do about it now.

Good luck for the day itself.(up)

Thank you very much. I've just sent you a PM.