Hi Batfink! I'm actually almost drowning lol

Not really, I finished my chapter reviewing/editing thingy!!! Well done me (and pat on the back)

Goal number 2 - edit a section of another (much easier) chapter.

Thanks Eska but I'm still not finished arghhhh!!

Sneaks, I can relate to what you're going through as my current stress is a direct result of sups feedback!! I hope you get yours soon and no major editing required!

I'm still not finished with my chapter but the hardest bit has been done. I'm trying to decide whether to have lunch now or do a bit more work. Not sure why but I've become a fairly indecisive person in the last few weeks... never used to be like that. Maybe it's because nothing else seems to really matter anymore? Sad, I know, but I just want to get rid of this, it feels like it's a plague that never goes away right now! :$ Sorry about the rant. Maybe I should have lunch and have some camomile tea whilst I'm there...:p

Same here Sneaks, too late for me to swap thesis but it might be an idea for others who still have a bit longer before they submit.

Delta, I completely agree with DrCorinne that your sups wouldn't let you submit if they didn't feel confident (or at least I'd hope they wouldn't!!). Could the apparent lack of feedback be a reflection of their trust on your work? We are our greatest critics after all!

If you really want feedback, you can always ask others, whether through here, colleagues, friends and family, anyone! I'm not sure about your field, but I've always been told to write as if you were writing to the public so if it's the same to you, then anyone should be able to read it. I've had friends reading bits and bobs over the years and it's been helpful even if they don't have a clue about the subject...

Hi Sneaks! You've not been around and I wondered if everything was ok. Glad you managed to do your final draft for most chapters. As for thinking your work is pretty awful, I'm wondering if this isn't something that happens to most of us? I'm starting to think the same about mine too and even wanted to change my whole lit review! But reason told me if it was that rubbish, sups would have said something so I didn't. Maybe the same may apply to you?

My first goal of the day is to finish editing the chapter I've been working on over the weekend. I really want to do this by lunchtime.

Congrats!!

Completely agree with others, I'm writing in 4 1/2 and really struggling as didn't have many drafts beforehand.

I haven't had too much of a life whilst writing so I don't recommend it to anyone. If I could go back time, I would have written much more, even if these were very rough drafts. If you can start writing now, then the earlier the better!

Hi Flack,

I'm sorry to hear what's been going on with you. I can't say that the same has happened to me, quite the opposite, my family really values education so they're quite proud of it, but I totally agree with Mackem_Beefy. It doesn't sound like your efforts are appreciated, or even welcome to be honest, so I ask myself why bother? At the end of the day, you need to take care of yourself and if they're giving you grief, then maybe it's not worth it.

I imagine this would be hard because they're 'the only family you got' but maybe if you asked yourself 'if they were my friends, would I keep them as friends?' I know I wouldn't, but I also know that it's different when it's family so it's your call.

I've had to start distancing myself from some of my close family for similar issues - e.g. me doing all the work and feeling they couldn't be bothered - and I find it quite hard but like you, I'm lucky that I have lots of other people I can count on so it makes it easier, especially because I've decided that this is best for me.

Like I said, it's up to you what you do, but I know someone here (can't remember who) suggested counselling and maybe this might help you...

I hope you feel better soon and congrats on getting your PhD!!

Hi Naturalme, I'm afraid I haven't been able to do everything I wanted to.

The changes I need to make are a bit more complex than I'd thought. I came to a hault a couple of hours ago as I had no idea what I was meant to do in relation to a particular feedback from sups so I went to have my dinner. I've just come back and had an eureka moment so I think I'll stay around for a bit longer. I'm sooo exhausted but really chuffed I found the solution so I might as well make the most of it!

Sorry your day hasn't been particularly good, sometimes it's just like that really. I hope you managed to do the section you started and that tomorrow is a more productive day for you :-)

Hi Naturalme! I thought I was going to be the only one around so I'm happy you here too!

My editing has been going ok, thanks. I'm still hopeful I'll be able to finish this today. Good luck with yours!

Morning to anyone around!

Another working day for me with lots to do. I'm aiming to finish editing this dreaded chapter today so off I am...

Thanks Ady! You sound a bit less stressed :-) I hope you had a good day and good luck with the interview on Monday! Let us know how it goes! (ps. fish are doing a bit better so I think they'll be fine)

Here's my update: my day has been fairly productive. I've not gotten as far as I wanted but all things considered, it's been pretty good. This has been a task I've been avoiding so no longer the monster I feared ;-) off to have my tea and watch some tele now...

Thanks Ady, I completely agree, the last bit is the hardest! I'm trying a couple of different things with the fish over the weekend so hopefully they'll be better soon (and yes, that's the correct term for them, I think;-) )

I went to bed feeling a bit down last night, felt sorry for myself and guilty for not having achieved as much as I wanted. But I also had a good ponder about what I wanted to happen and I REALLY want to finish on time so I can move on with my life - I know there's the viva still to come but I'll deal with it when it comes. Also, I don't want to pay any extras as I can't afford it but even if I could, it'd be a waste of money when I know I CAN submit on time. I just need to work hard, one last push to the finish line!!

So off I am... sprinting like there's no tomorrow 8-)

Not sure if anyone else is around, but if you are, I hope you have a productive day!

I'll pop in later on for an update...

Thanks for the link Eska, had a quick read and it looks helpful.

Things this end aren't great, I've started my chapter reviewing (I've been dreading this because it needs so much work still!) but I'm nowhere near finishing and my submission date is fast approaching. I keep pushing myself to do this but often find myself 'distracted' by other things - tbh, the fact that my fish are poorly and I have no idea what's wrong with them or how to make it better isn't helping... any tips anyone?

Morning!

First goal and probably the only one as this is going to take a long time - start revising a chapter.

That's great news. Thanks for sharing. It's easy to get lost in the madness, esp. towards the end, so it's helpful to remember that there's still light at the end of the tunnel!