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why these con PhD institutions are around?
S

Apparently from a 'London college' you can get a Business PhD for £15,000 and only need a masters degree, nothing else is needed!

its long distance as the 'mother university' is far away.

some even get discounts on fees if they did masters at this college!

where does all our hard work go to? who do I complain to? Just feel worthless that I had to work so hard to reach this stage and someone else is getting it the 'easy way'. I thought PhD 's were immune to such deals :-s

Any tips on getting back to work after months of PhD inactivity?
S

======= Date Modified 30 Aug 2010 22:11:45 =======
Being full time mum to 2 kids under 2+Phd student

almost finishing...so.so..hard...

How to get started:

REALISTIC GOALS IS THE MAIN TIP

1. Set 4-5 hours every sat & sun for Phd (dont give into anything but coffee and chocolate),it couldbe from 5am-10am or 2hrs in morning & 3 hrs at night

2. BEFORE you sit at the strat of that time, spend some time gathering papers, notes you have written and open the comp or keep it in hibernation-to set off qucikly

3. ONCE you sit -set the alarm and do not get up for anything! cut off internet until you get trained to avoiding this

4. Write things you know-others might want to know about your PhD-at first few days

5. When organised a bit more, you will set the pile of papers and a short question of what you need to write-a writing draft can be made while you are on the bus, train, etc.

6. NEVER write or do anything else during that set time, just keep looking at things relevant to your PhD, make a drawing, sketch, chart that explains things

7. AT THE END of set time, leave a question for the next day..do not end things ..leave it open so you will wander about this and will come back with fresh ideas to write.

try some motivation techniques...like treating yourself if you achieve more than you aimed etc..

Keep us posted...I came back to my PhD after 6 months...at last I can see the end now.

:-)

HELP! endnote+track changes
S

I'm working towards a very tight deadline and like there is not enough stress, endnote ref in my text kept appearing with weird signs >
I think it has something to do with track changes as well.

what can I do? Is anyone out there?
:-(

Job vs Living with husband?
S

Find a place in-between,although moving is a hassel it can only be done when you have no children or mortages (hope u r renting) so talk together and leap to the opportunity. you will both get paid in the end rather than you job hunting ever & ever...

word limits etc
S

Thank you to all the replies. I will confirm with graduate school & supervisor. I have calmed down a bit now so thinking more clearly.:$

word limits etc
S

1) Is there a minimum word limit for a PhD? usually in my area its said 80,000. so for e.g. if I write around 60,000 would that be a Masters or MPhil level? just panicking as submission is near:-(

2) How does the word count work? with or without references?

children & PhD's-SOS
S

(gift) Thank you sachite and chipie, I really needed some of that advice. I have always got used working long hours in one go, so it will be either a whole night etc. But now I simply can't do this and I find it hard to adjust and do bits of work as and when I get time. But I have to try harder and get used to working on short bouts.

children & PhD's-SOS
S

This would seem to have an obvious answer but I need some practical advice. I have a 15 month old son and cannot seem to end my PhD work. When he was small I managed well and completed my lab work, but when it got to write-up and he started walking I was stuck, my partner is away most of the week and house work is all down to me. I have made so many plans and tried different hours but cannot seem to get out of this loop where I get so tried at the end of the day and working on thesis is the last thing I want (I don't work so childcare option is too expensive for us, at least till I get a job).
Please someone who had a situation like this give me some tips to organise myself more. It could be so obvious but I need something to try and finish this phase of my life as a student! :-s

Demanding arrogant undergraduate students
S

I don't teach but I have seen this happen to my friends so many times. 99% of undergrads are rude and arrogant and the other 1% is demanding over the limit. They like to be spoon-fed and hate to work for that. I also did have a lot of respect for my teachers and understood that others need to learn as well even if I would have liked talk and ask questions. This generation lacks empathy maybe its how the world has changed.

My bit of advice is stop teaching if they are noisy and ask them to share that with all the class. Maybe ask other students what the majority would like as a solution to this problem-like no questions during lecture but reasonable time at the end.

How much data did you gather in your 1st year.
S

simple answer is NONE.
I only started data collection properly, even a pilot around 18 months and then it was always data collection and writing bits and pieces until the end of third year. Now, I'm in my write-up. I'm in the same subject area but my data collection can be finished in day or two if all goes well otherwise 2-3 months per experiment.
DON'T worry too much once you are more confident abt things they will pick up pace. If not your super will no doubt breathe down your neck;-)

Teek's word count
S

Tally Hi -Teek, Good luck with the word count, few months back I also started something like this but still here, need to push forward. My total count is about the same as you nearly 20,000 (humanities), -2-3 more chapters
better get on with it for a 'summer submission' (that sounds nice ;-)

month=chapter
S

======= Date Modified 06 Feb 2010 16:32:53 =======
thanx guys, have to juggle with 2 small children so its only 4 hrs max each day. money is tight also, so childcare is friends only. But I do have this feeling that I might just be able to do it.
A.L, I'm not going to be worried abt taking wkends off as if i get this off my head and submit it then I will enjoy my whole life a lot better! :-)
Good luck to anyone struggling, I will make updates as I go along.(up)

month=chapter
S

One month, one chapter, does this seem plausible, Has anyone done this. I have some notes but not for all and only 2 or 3 chapters to go.
Need a lot of motivation if I need to submit by July 10:p

The Great Star Appeal
S

count me in guys, lets SUE, I want another star toooo. (I sound just like my 2 yr old son);-)

Struggling to write my thesis
S

Sorry to hear your story, this is sad in any situation not just when doing a PhD. You have got lot of good advice, so I'm not going to pour over that. Just to let you know that come to the forum when you need to vent and update us with your progress, even little things.

Write a small list of things to do e.g. like read Jones paper and make one page note, enter 10 references etc

Only thing I would say for NOW is to get into exercise or make the effort to wonder away from home as your first step. Although, I haven't suffered from anything serious, getting cooped up in the house sometimes for a week makes me really 'rubbish'. when I go out for at least an hour it gives positive energy.8-)

(:$ Phd girl was not phrasing what she wanted to say in the most appropriate way. It could be well meant but the 'tough love' approach needed to be more about 'love'. Anyway she has written what she thought and freedom of thought)