======= Date Modified 05 Oct 2009 23:09:21 =======
======= Date Modified 05 Oct 2009 23:08:45 =======
Back after few days, just to tick off the planned work. The editing DONE for this chapter :-) but took almost two months due to so many reasons.

Anyway I will leave that for now and move to the next one. Maybe from tomorrow, while I'm still interested in it. need a new plan for this month although a week has gone by.

Aim: Start a new chapter
Task for this week: Gather all the results and finish writing that off.

Alphacalover, sorry hear you are not well. I have just recovered. Just need to rest, as nothing else will work.
Eska, (up) on writing

As other said, you should decide what to do. If I was faced with this question, I would think about if I can afford this without being skint at the end.Then I would write down the positives and negatives (pretty old and boring method but it works for me everytime).(up)

-I share a similar kind of experience with being self-funded and a family with two small children and no day care (only relations help when they are free). It becomes overwhelming most of the days, but I try not to dwell on that and just get on with whatever the tasks I have written down for the week to be completed.

Hope the following things, at least one might help you. I do try them all the time but there are days when nothing works, you just have to accept those days and get moving the next day (up).

-Try to stay positive about things you have already done. write down things when you complete them.

-Make a list every week on what you can do during that week and be specific about them. Don't worry if things get dragged on to the next week, as long as you know what needs to be done and you try at least to write few words even when you are down.

-In bad days, just come to this forum and write a thread or reply to something, that helps me to get onto the PhD mindset and the urge to type and write what is needed. Only writing will produce more writing .

-keep teaching problems and issues separate from PhD work. In the need you will be at a better position for teaching with qualification. If you can put your mind to it maybe try to find some place else to teach, what about your uni..tell you supervisor that you would like to take up a job there or the person dealing with recruitment.

- It might also be helpful if you keep one or two days completely for the teaching and any issues with that. The other days you can concentrate on PhD. Even if you have a problem for either, wait for the specific day to deal with them (unless it is a very critical situation)

-Make a list of completed things and keep it where you can see to get motivated.

-If your supervisor is a good listener maybe its worth taking about your difficulties in writing or working in general, they have experience with past students and maybe able to give some ideas on how to be effective.

-When you feel not up to it do some work of referencing, graph or a chart or content page, anything to keep you on the subject and writing.

-Keep us updated and maybe if you work at night, join the nocturnal workers thread to get motivated by others experiences. :-)(up)

======= Date Modified 02 Oct 2009 13:47:10 =======
If you get a message saying you need to upgrade the current version or something similar, then you might have to upgrade. What version do you currently use? web version or a copy given by university. I bought mine over a year ago for £68 after having enough of asking the uni to get us copies. It was well worth it as I work mostly from home now.
I haven't downloaded from emerald as EBSCO is much better and easier for the downloads as well.

BUT I went to emerald website and they have very clear guide on how to download to endnote. here is the link
http://info.emeraldinsight.com/help/user/citation.htm#6

Another night...not feeling great though, have a bad cold. Only going to sort out few things.
Good luck for the interview Alphacalover and keep going (up).
Teak, I feel the same about staying up whole night, the most productive and peaceful time of the day. Even if I don't plan any work, I do get something done compared to daytime when everyone seem to be making nothing but noises.

Today aim: Sort the contents page and bit of formatting, checking references

Yesterday-Editing chapter -DONE (following Lara's method) (up)

======= Date Modified 29 Sep 2009 23:15:15 =======
only started work abt an hour ago, not much done..too much surfing so came here for some support. After reading few posts ready to go back.



Aim: finish editing the discussion points and complete the chapter.

WOW! what a happy ending:-)
Congratulations Lara, even though I haven't followed your journey to this much, I certainly remember how much effort you put into your work. Most of all Thank you for being so kind and generous enough to put tips and guides to what you did for viva prep. It will certainly help lot of people. I really feel more encouraged after reading abt your big news.

Hope you have a great career in future(up)

Good Luck Lara, (up) have followed you on and off. Keep us updated.

Transgene, Good luck to you too(up)

Just had a couple of hours work done,,not much on the writing part..tomorrow I have a list to finish the discussion and that chapter would be done. Its almost written in my head, have to put it down on paper. not feeling great either..cough..cough..need sleep:p

Sorry to hear that and nothing is easy in PhD land. Although I don;t have similar experience do have lot of family problems that just hinder my progress. So, as others have said, maybe a short break might make you determined to get through this ..its not far off..you have spend more time behind you and less to get through..even its the hardest.

For concentrating..just do small tasks and make few lists..appendices, reference lists, or searches are great o keep your mind at work but not too deep also. Maybe take up a new hobby..if you like sports..maybe jogging or boxing helps as I have heard to vent anger..a friend of mine swears by belly dancing to make her calm..Anyway, you might be tight for time but taking up something for once a week might cheer you up.
:-)

Interesting thread. I only skimmed through the replies and don't have time to read all. That actually is my problem -TIME-. I have posted a thread in here just to keep up with my writing progress in some sort of a record and a place to vent (maybe I should go & do a blog but some replies to mine looks as some others can share my thoughts). Maybe it is selfish to do that but I think its not harmful or bad practice, its just another type of thread among those very interactive ones. I do think this forum is big enough to have lot of different thread-dull, boring, funny, interesting, etc..

Again, sometimes when there is so much to do and very little time I just update my thread abt progress with a line or two(not everyday-sometimes in weeks), maybe reply to posts also and then go to sleep (I only have time at night to write with 2 small kids).

It's great if all of us are in the same place BUT we are not and 'forum culture' may develop with time and things may get adopted or dropped with the users preference and that preference or freedom..I think..would be better than forcing things to be done only in a particular way. The content of almost all threads are important to readers when they are in similar situations, it would not matter whether one or 100 replied if just gives the hope that others also feel the same and have same problems. Since most of the time all of us tend to find solace in the forum when in trouble or when facing problems, so I think..

...Let the waters run as they are to see the beauty they make... .:-x

Thanks Sue & Bilbo.:-) If I keep on doing something each day it helps and when I get off days its hard to get back to things. That's why I try to write everyday. Today looks positive not too much distractions, so good luck to me.

======= Date Modified 15 Sep 2009 00:21:57 =======
falling behind again..no work in 3 days..can't afford this losing time..Trying to do at least one para today..keep yawning & my eyes are giving up on me...would tomorrow be any better?



I need to plan and stick to it whatever happens..but too may distractions with family issues

:$

Lost the touch  !!!(arrrgh..)
Only did a bit of reading on Friday and didn't get any work done on weekend. Today for several hours tried to get back to writing, but got no where, should have done at least some writing each day. can't think right now. I will have to get back into this tomorrow.

Task- To make notes of the 5 articles on a word document

Editing is finished, just need to add a detailed section, 3 pages would do.:-) hope for a even better tomorrow. Good luck to others who do this!