Not sure what time your viva is/was so 'good luck' and/or 'I hope it goes/went well'.

Sorry, my results are even worse, only have access from 2009 on one source and no access at all on the other...

Well done Catalinbond and Ady on getting your dates! Travelling for the viva isn't normal in my uni either but I'm not sure it'd bother me that much as it'd help with the distraction and the nerves. Good luck!

Hi Pineapple,

Just wanted to say 'you're not alone'!! After being turned down by over a dozen supermarkets and shops (yes, I am very desperate!), I decided to apply for the job I used to have after I finished my degree and I got it (no surprises there). I was well chuffed to start with as, like I mentioned, I was desperate for the money but after 2 weeks, I just felt miserable. To be honest, I started feeling miserable after about 3 days. I know I am not, but I felt like a failure, like everything I had worked for in the past several years had been in vain... also, the team has changed completely so they've been treating me like an idiot even though I've mentioned my past experience there (but not my qualifications).

In the end, I had to give notice after being there for only 2 weeks. They've let me cancel a few shifts and even though I still need to go in for another couple of weeks I feel much lighter.

I still haven't got a job in my area, but I've been able to get a job in a restaurant. Admittedly, far from ideal, but at least I know I will earn more per hour as I get to keep my tips... was this a good move? I don't know, I haven't started but I know I'm much happier. I also know I can't afford not to have a job so this was a compromise for me, where I'm still officially on minimum wages but unofficially earning more.

I don't think you should feel bad about complaining, it's ok not to like a job! Could you perhaps see it as a 'temporary situation'? I wonder if you could get something else instead? I know employment is difficult right now and I don't mean any grand jobs, just something that you'll enjoy more.

I hope you're ok. It's not an easy place to be and having a phd (or about to get one), to me, right now is a disadvantage because I'm applying for jobs I'm overqualified for and not even gettting interviews. When I do, they actually make stuff up or distort what I've said during the interview, etc.

I hope you feel better soon.

probably a 6...

As far as I understand it's your choice completely but I might be wrong. I've know of a few women who were known as Mrs James (at home) and Dr Brown (at work) but that sounds confusing to me...

On the subject of different cultures, an exception would be Spanish women, they don't change their surnames when they get married ;-)

Hi Flack

Sounds like things are moving forward for you. Well done! I'm glad to hear you're accessing some counselling as well and I hope that it's helping you.

I feel like quoting something that I try to keep in mind in situations involving my family so it may help others too. It's the serenity prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr: 'God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.'

There are some things that we just can't change and accepting these is the first step to moving on.

Good luck with everything (up)

I see where you're coming from now. Could you try to arrange a meeting to discuss the viva and perhaps clear the air?

Hi Dalmation, it sounds like you just need to believe a bit more in your work. Research is rarely predictable otherwise why we'd be doing it if we know it already? But we always learn something from it. My results weren't what I was expecting either but I'm seeing it as 'ok, we know this isn't applicable, so what else can we learn from it? And where do we go from here?'. As long as you know that you did the best possible, you're able to convey why this is so to the panel, you should be ok. I think? I've not had mine yet but I'd imagine others may be able to help as well?

I'm anxious about my viva too (and a little scared if I'm honest!) if that helps but I'd expect many of us on the same boat to be feeling the same;-)

Hi Hailey,

I'm sorry to hear that things aren't that great right now. It sounds like a break could help you recover so you could do your very best.

In my experience, lots of people just plod along to finish and allow the phd to take over their life whilst their health is in jeopardy. This isn't always best, our wellbeing should always come first but ultimately, only you can decide.

I'm guilty of this and so are a few others I've known... I declined an extension and then regretted it afterwards. In the end, I was spending way too much time working on it and neglected everything else.

I'm ok now, but if I could go back time, I'd have taken the time off... it'd have been the best option in the long-term for both the thesis and myself.

Take care.

======= Date Modified 11 Nov 2011 11:28:11 =======
edit duplicate post, sorry

I completely agree with others, that this shouldn't impact on the final result. Also, I'm sure I've read somewhere that they arrived for their viva and they were told they'd passed before it even started? Was it Bilbo's?

As Mak pointed out, the thesis is discussed prior to the viva and I wouldn't be surprised if result would have been agreed beforehand either (obviously final result would be pending our performance at the viva!).

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Congrats! And thanks for sharing (up)

Congrats(up)

Thanks for sharing your experience and all the best for the future

Hello everyone! I'm glad to hear others are around :-)

Eska, I hope you managed to do everything, sounds like a mammoth task! I'm not sure how to remove that much either, I'm just thinking about what's really relevant and trying to be ruthless. I've already submitted so I need to transform a 12,000 word chapter into a 4,500 article.

Batfink, please don't avoid the thread because you're behind with stuff. We're here to support you and it sounds like you could do with a helping hand. I hope you get well soon!

Sneaks, congrats on starting your job! I hope you're enjoying it! Sounds like you're really busy (as usual!)...

As for me, I didn't manage to cut that section down to 800. It's at 1000 at the moment but I haven't got a clue what else I can remove it so I'm leaving it for now. I've started to work on a lengthier section. It's around 2,000 and I need it down to around 700 eek I'm not sure if I should just keep trying to remove chunks of the text or just rewrite. Anyone any advice?