Yes, my PhD has 11 chapters (groan!!!). It used to have 12 but I decided to ditch one, so that's something! Am getting towards finishing the 5th field work chapter - then have to rewrite the previous 4 all again as I didn't know what the angle was when I wrote them! Ahh, it's a slow process. Oh well, can only go as fast as I can go.

Only a few dozen more pages of edits sounds very manageable! Make sure you build in some rewards too! Next week am going to the big city for some fun, so am going to work hard, conquer lots of work and have a bit of a break then.

Onwards!! Right, logging off to start the day. Have a good late evening!

Hi Grumblehead

Not many posts, so thought I should jump in. I disagree with PhD_Girl. While I think a PhD will help you in lots of ways and could be seen as a bonus by employers, in your field, I do think experience is important. Mind you, I don't/haven't worked in this area, but have some friends who have, so only have a limited knowledge of NGO work. But I think given a choice between a person with a PhD and no experience, and someone with experience but no PhD, they'd go for the experience every time. A PhD might be useful if you wanted to do research or policy work for these orgs, but even then isn't essential. Your field is also hard to get into, and I know of people who've done internships for the experience, and used this to try and get a paid job. I think it's a tough road, so don't waste time doing a PhD if you're not keen. I also think a law degree would be highly regarded, so that will stand you in good stead now for these jobs.

I also think that your initial lack of excitement is very telling - if you're not keen to do a PhD at the start, then I don't think this bodes well for the next 3 years, especially when you're saying now you don't want to spend your time reading/writing. A PhD is really hard, and you have to be keen and really, really want to do it.

I think you know deep down what you want to do  - go with your gut insticts and don't worry what others will think. Do what's right for you. Good luck!

Hi Phoebe

Are you doing a wide enough lit search? Using lots of different databases and different terms? Are you finding articles? Then you need to start reading them and taking notes and getting an idea of the gaps etc in your field. You need to start writing, so you're doing something productive, not just doing searches and then goofing off.

I was really disciplined in my first year, as I was so excited to finally be starting the PhD! I couldn't wait to get into it! I also wanted to complete within 3 years (that dream' s creeping out the door), and so that motivated me to do a lot initially. You need to get into a routine, one that works for you, and doesn't necessarily have to be 9-5. Experiment a bit. Also, do you have discrete goals to work towards? A date when your lit review should be done? You need to have concrete goals to motivate you to, so you can make a work plan and work towards things. I had lots to do in my first year - ethics (which you may not have to do), the lit review, a detailed proposal and workplan, and getting field work lined up.

Good luck. Find a rhythm and enjoy!

Hi Bilbo

Glad to hear that things are moving ahead and you've got a manageable 'to do' list. End is in sight!! And if you do work in the middle of the night, I'm always here then and glad of the company.

I spent most of yesterday annotating a 20 page chapter I'd written - slow!! But I did faff around a bit. Early morning here, and today am going to work solidly and get this chapter into something I'm not ashamed of! Getting closer to the end of chapter 6!

Hope it goes well! Hello to others out there too.

Hi AL, yes, don't put too much guilt on yourself!!

My sup doesn't know that I'm thinking of not staying in academia, but there are just no research jobs around and I don't want to teach, so she probably realises...and the article is not related to my PhD, but is in my general area, so doesn't showcase my work either...

Yes, I should talk to her, but am so over thinking about career stuff! Don't want to work in academia, don't want to go back to the public service...:-( Ahh, am just driving myself crazy. Back to writing the thesis, focus on today's work...

Have a good rest, see you later.

Hey AL

Sorry to her you're not feeling so well - hot water bottle's are a godsend! And don't worry about procrastinating, happens to all of us. You'll get back into it. And don't worry about your sup's comments too - and his wife is also commenting?? He probably thinks of you as his protege and wants you to stay in academia - which you might end up doing - and so is a bit disappointed. But you have lots of time to do all sorts of things, so go with your new job, ern some money and enjoy that for a bit.

Mmm, yes is good that sup wants me to write an article with her - am just not sure I can see the point. Have essentially decided I don't want to work in academia, so is there any point in getting published? Employers would rather have experience, and maybe think a PhD is a bonus, but I doubt they'd value being published. What do you think? And I really really want to write this stupid thesis, and don't want distractions, so am tempted not to do it...

Well, better start the day. Editing first draft of chapter 6.

Hi Loparz

Yes, totally understand how you feel, similar has happened to me. My paper wasn't rejected, it was accepted in fact, then a new editor came on board and totally ripped it apart. Said he'd still accept it if I essentially rewrote the entire thing (again! After had done so for the reviewers, who were happy with my changes). Like others, I was devastated and cried for days. I've since decided to put this article aside and concentrate on my thesis. This has also made me decide that I don't want to work in academia - too much unpaid work, too much criticism, and not enough rewards.

Which is all pretty negative and won't help you! Keep in mind that writing a journal article is very different to writing a thesis. While the comments that reviewers make will be useful in shaping the PhD, your thesis does not have to be at the level of writing a journal article. The thesis will also be in your style - you won't have to rewrite the whole thing for some editor with politics/power issues. You'll have to rewrite it until your supervisor's happy, but not to placate an OTT editor. You'll be fine doing a PhD, and it will give you lots more writing experience which will help if you do write other articles.

I think it's also just getting out of the habit of eating junk food - I eat fruit for morning and afternoon snacks and don't crave junk food at all. If I do need something sweet I'll eat a couple of low fat biscuits - am guessing you guys have Weight Watchers biscuits in the UK? They're not too bad. Licorice is good. And nuts for savoury things, altho they can be fattening too, so not too many. And popcorn (without fake butter) is also OK. And drinks lots of water. Herbal teas?

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Hi Bilbo and AL

Nice to hear from you both! You two are troopers working on a Sunday nite - I just can't do it, even with deadlines looming. Hangover from a 9-5 job, where I'd hang onto a bit of fun on Sun nites...

Sounds like you're going well Bilbo. And AL, yes, do hang around, but yep, starting new jobs will take it out of you. Sounds like your lecture slides and lesson plans are going well - and 3 hours is a really long time! Used to take me all week to prepare for tutoring 2 subjects, so yeh, it's a lot of work. Good luck with the lecturing! You'll be fine. And that's lovely about the cakes...it is hard moving on, but you seem to know deep down that you're doing the right thing...it'll work out.

I'm going OK but very slowly. My sup wants me to write an article with her too, which will take weeks, so I can't see me getting my first draft done by Xmas, which means I'll miss the March deadline. Oh well, can't go any faster than I'm going.

Gotta take the dog out this Mon morning. Study well, rest and have a good Monday!

I'm nearing the end of my third year, and my supervisor's the same as ever - generous and wonderfully supportive. It's me who's always moaning and emailing her!;-)

I'm also doing my PhD full-time, and spend about 50+ hours a week on it. I work on it every day, with the occasional morning or evening off. This also includes time goofing off on forums!

Hi Jojo

It's morning here and I'm working, so you're not alone! Hats off to you for working on a Friday nite - I can't do it!! Good on you for writing your chapters, hope you get done what you need to tonite. Yesterday, end of the week, I'd just written the first draft of another chapter, so now I'm going back and rewriting bits. Press on!