======= Date Modified 28 Jan 2011 10:34:38 =======
Hi,

Warning bells ringing here!!!

You're working in an area you're interested in already - fantastic. You're very, very fortunate.

You appear to be very happy in many areas of your life currently, which is great. You're very, very fortunate.

Twice you've said your heart is not in applying or doing the PhD. You're only at the application stage and already have very grave reservations. A PhD is very, very hard work and it will cause disruption to your current life. Only you can decide, and it is YOUR decision, but my feeling, based on what you've said, is don't do this PhD. You can always do a PhD in the future, or even part time.

Good luck deciding. I'm mindful that I'm doing a PhD that my heart is not in (but I was unemployed before doing the PhD and so had nothing to lose) and so my judgement may be clouded somewhat. Since you have to live with any decision, only you can and should make the decision.

Yes, be proud! (up)

You've worked really, really hard to get to this point, by far the bulk of the work is behind you and so you just need to keep jogging on for that bit longer and you'll soon reach that finish line! Don't beat yourself up but give yourself a well deserved pat on the back!

I'm sorry to hear that. Not sure what to say except keep trying.

======= Date Modified 22 Jan 2011 22:56:24 =======
======= Date Modified 19 Jan 2011 17:26:07 =======
Hi everyone,

I'm in the third year of a PhD and my funding ends at the end of September.

Apart from ethics, I've had no substantive feedback and no hard copy feedback, just one line verbal feedback. I've all the data collected but very little written. To be honest, my supervisors proposed the topic which is not my cup of tea but I was unemployed, needed an income and so took the PhD for a regular income and with the hope that it would allow me to move on and into another area. To my credit, I've always tried working and have taken it seriously but their lack of feedback and interest means I've lost motivation (almost nothing has been done in 8 months!). I had pretty much resigned myself to the fact that the PhD wouldn't get completed. Should I try talking to my supervisors yet again or should I go to the departmental head? To add, even when I ask questions by email these don't always get answered

Kubaff,

The other posters are right. You've earned your place and have as much right to be here as anyone else. It might be worthwhile jotting down some notes about what you're experiencing so you can provide examples, if asked. Assert yourself but remain calm and polite, even though it may be difficult. Do not stoop to the level of the bully / bullies. I hope you've made some friends and are not feeling totally isolated. If you are having difficulty making some friends, find out if your college or university has a system in place to put international students into contact with other students or join a club or society, within or outside the University.

Sincerely hoping things pick up for you.

Let us know how you get on.

I do feel for you as it's not a nice position to be in especially with family responsibilities. I'm not sure of your background but what about private tuition i.e. GCSE and 'A' levels?

I really hope things work out.

Hi Sheryl,

I voted for take a couple of months off. You, your health and well-being are the most important things in all this and so please do what you feel is right for you but don't make any rash decisions, especially in an emotional state. A PhD is not the be all and end all - really it's not. I'm not enjoying my PhD and in some respects have been hindered in my progress. I made the decsion a long time ago that if I couldn't complete on time or at the latest 3 months after that time I would not complete because a PhD is not really taking me anywhere I want to go. I believe that to be the right decision for me but you need to make your own decisions and in a clear frame of mind, if possible. Be kind to yourself and try to remember that these difficult times will pass sooner or later...

Take care.

I think it depends on the University and what they specify as the threshold but at my university I think the cut off is 10%.

Well done - many congratulations!(up)

Hi Sneaks,

I'm sending you a PM now as I have a couple of questions. Thanks for the offer of help.

Hi Pam,

I know nothing about your topic but I'm mindful of the expression better safe than sorry. Very best of luck!

Hi Sneaks,

It would solely be for statistics as I feel my writing is good and thank you, I might take you up on your kind offer but I'll try going through everything again first.

Thank you!

Thanks for responding, you've both been very helpful. Sneaks I think I'm in a bad position but I'd hate to be in yours! Let's hope everything works out in the end.

I'm in my third year and very little was achieved last year. I'm anxious to get on with it as I have no interest in the subject area (never had), want to complete on time and move on. That said, I have all my data collected and analysis and write up are all that is left. It was lack of feedback from supervisors last year that held me back, in my opinion. Would it be reasonable to pay someone to check my analysis and to provide guidance should it be wrong?