I have had something similar if not quite the same. I was asked who I wanted and now I will have someone who my sup knows (and I have met him once as well), someone who is appropriate, but maybe not at the cutting edge of things. I was told though that he would be quite challenging, I guess I have to wait and see. I was confused as to what I wanted (tough but rewarding or softer approach but maybe less interesting) and in the end went with what my sup suggested.
I think this is a really tough decision because in the end you want your PhD, not a post-viva headache of corrections/resubmission(god forbid) etc... I think your choice could also depend on whether you want to stay in academia. Also, do you want to continue working on similar topics (as your PhD topic)? If so, go with Prof Y. Not only will he get to know you and your work better, but he might also recommend you to his colleagues and that will open doors. Yes, it will be tough, but at the end you will know that you properly earned your PhD and worked at getting a good reputation as researcher. However, if you feel unsure about the quality of your thesis and just want to leave it all behind, maybe going for the "safe" choice (Prof X) will be better..
I dont know, this is a real toughie and I did think about what kind of external examiner I would like, and I realised how hard it is to go "against" the supervisor (and their connections..)..

Let us know what you decide in the end...

Well done, Keep_Calm.
I know what you feel, I recently submitted my thesis and I am still coming into uni and doing odd bits and bobs (and prep for the new job), and people ask me why I am not on holiday and what I am doing here.. Mmm, they are right.. I should be at home (or some hot sunny island:p) relaxing etc, but it is really hard to just switch modes.. It is strange just how obsessive one becomes with work and how once that part is over (whether upgrade docs or final thesis), it takes time to let go of it, even if temporarily..
Oh well, I do agree though that you should take time off, it just sounds quite reasonable, doesnt it?! If you dont take time off completely, why not do half days.. or come in late, or go home early.. as a treat as it were.
All the best(sprout)

======= Date Modified 22 Mar 2010 18:01:18 =======
Hey thanks guys! Yes, I will try and get a proper break from it all, although today, there was an element of being lost... I do need a break and I will heed your advice!! About finishing (and I was talking to someone in the department about this)... for me it just all came together, and coauthors/sups who used to take forever with giving comments & feedback actually responded quickly, so in the end, it all happened quicker than I thought. I think it helped telling them that I was definitely finishing in the next weeks, so they knew I was serious and so they delivered.. I hope it'll work like that for some of you, too. There was one guy I had to nag again and again for his input, but ramping up the pressure on him definitely worked and I got what I wanted. Also, to be fair, with one chapter, I just decided that what I done was enough.. and I wasnt going to do any more.. And, I just proof read (properly) once, and I am sure my examiners will find some mistakes, but I felt it was more important to get it finished than forever polishing it.. I suppose only time will tell whether I made the right judgment on it...

Guys, it is so weird to tell people I have submitted, like it's not me.. what am I going to do with my life now:p
Thanks for all your support and everything, if in doubt, check the inspirational thread, that's one always good! I am off now for a celebratory drink & food.. cheerio
(sprout)

Hi everyone - just wanted to share my latest super news: I have submitted!!! It is a great feeling, and it is weird to think that for now I dont have to continue working on it.. ah, it's strange.. and it all came so quickly.. So for all of you still writing... keep it up, the end is near! Having this thread (and this forum) has worked a treat for me and made me stick to deadlines.. Happy vibes to everyone:-)

I think it is a very tough time to be applying for a PhD, so dont give up. Why not follow up your application with a phone call to the relevant profs (or lecturers etc). If they were put off by your name, maybe hearing your voice and realising that you are born and bred in the UK will help them see for what you are, rather than generate some abstract image of you (which could be subconsiously negative? who knows? I am not saying you are right or wrong about the racism bit..). Plus, it shows interest and tenacity and that you are really keen on the PhD. Good luck.

Clearly the quality of the papers is important, but in my field (environmental science) many students now have three papers that makes up their thesis (thesis by paper format). I would say that with your two papers, you should be confident that you will pass ( I would have thought...) and I presume you have some additional chapters..

Hey Jinkim, I am also submitting in the next few week and am, like you, reading through my work for errors etc. I am finding quite a few inconsistencies with spelling - and I had thought I was good with that - ah well, it is all fixeable. One week sounds good for final panic with printing, binding, handing in etc.. ;-) That's what I am working towards as well, and maybe even submit early... We should go for a virtual drink once we've submitted(sprout)

Hey Sue & others,

It is great to read that you are almost at the end now, Sue, with your discussions chapter in the pipeline, and you must be so happy to have it all together, even if it's not in the final form yet.

I finally managed to get everything together and I printed out my whole thesis for final corrections and proof reading, which I am doing now.. It is superb to see it all in a print form, cheaply bound, but nevertheless all together.. but ahem - I have found already quite a few things that need fixing, small things, but still... But hey, I am getting there and my sup seems happy, too.

So, I just wanted to send some upbeat words of support to everyone who will be submitting in the next few weeks/months - Yay - we can do it!(sprout) Stay positive, always!

Oh, this sounds terrible. My mum swears by gurgling/swishing round aloe vera gel in her mouth whenever she's had toothache...
Hope you feel better soon!

I agree with your bf, send something and a card is appropriate, I think.

I nominate Sue for best foreign poster and highest tomato achiever (+ and for not giving up posting with the day/night timelag from Europe/Australia)

Excellent news, Bilbo. And remember, by Easter (first thing in April), it'll all be over! happy Easter Egg hunting(gift)

I dont think that having a public defense is going to make everything better as the article implies (win-win situation). Whilst I am scared of my viva, I think it will be great to talk to someone who knows what my work is about and I can go into details about things. I am not sure that would be the case in a public defense, when suddenly it becomes relevant that the public audience understands the thesis/work. Plus you then have to worry about sorting people/parents out, before and after the event... just on a practical level, mmm? (down) About the ritual side of things, well, yes, it is nice if you go out for a drink/meal after your viva, and in my department, most people do that... but I guess without that it might be a bit sad..
I dont mind the current system- that's my two cents worth!

Gosh, that sounds terrible. I agree with you that you are in a difficult situation as you do not want the Department Head to make your life difficult/further career impossible, especially if he is required for references or so. Maybe going to speak to the new lecturer is the best way forward though, and you dont need to be friends with her, but just tell her how you perceive the situation. Then it is up to her what to do with that information. Another option would be to directly confront this other guy and just tell him that you disagree with his approach(petition, ridiculing) and that he maybe should invest more time to do better teaching/research. This surely is a confrontational way of dealing with the situation (and the other guy and probably the department head wont like you for it), but at least you know you have spoken your mind. Alternatively, speak to the students and make it clear to them that they should only complain if they have true complaints, rather than minor issues that can easily be resolved.
I dont know what I would do in your case, but I have made the mistake in the past of not getting involved and while it meant that I did not get probs with colleagues/superiors, I felt bad for not stepping in and pointing out the injustice as I saw it. I think this is really a tricky situation.. all the best with deciding what to do/what not to do..(sprout)

Well, I feel somehow granny old/very mumsy by admitting to this - but I crochet in the evenings to relieve the PhD stress.. and I recently started knitting.. It is very soothing, doing a repetitive action without having to think much and you are creating some lovely fabric.. (made scarfs, purses/bags - all useful so far).. I do watch telly or listen to the radio whilst doing it, which might sort of undo some of the relaxation effect (with trying to keep all senses occupied..mmm). Also, in order to keep going and remain sane, I have felt the need to simply my life to the extent that I am either at home or at university .. only weekends are times for friends/citycentre visits/shopping etc... it's sad, right, I do feel I am losing touch with the real world out there sometimes..
And hey - this postgradforum and the entertaining/supportive posts, well, that's kept me going day in, day out - no doubt:-x