This sounds very strange for a conference - especially an international one. I've presented at quite a few conferences, and they all have fixed deadlines. Obviously this is a lot more informal, and the presenters just want to get an idea of what each other is saying, hence you can submit a rather rough paper. If I were you, I'd assume that the conference papers will be made available - they normally do pop up on a website. So, rough draft for the other presenters, then rework into a good paper by the conference date.

I think you should ask him for a reference, as I think it might look odd if you don't include a reference from your current supervisor - on the proviso that you're able to see it first. This may not be the case tho - when I was applying for PhDs, my referees had to send in references to the uni, without me seeing them first. If this is the case, then that's no good as he can say what he wants - but if it's a written reference that you get to see, I'd ask for one. Referees normally don't dwell on the negatives of a person - and if he does, you don't have to use it.

Hi Curiouscat

Yes, most of us have felt like you're feeling I think. You need to talk to your supervisors - they'd be used to students feeling unmotivated and a bit lost, so you need to have a chat to get you back on track. It sounds to me like you need a bit more structure to your studies - and your life. Do you have a workplan? Have you worked out small, achievable goals that you can meet? This will help to focus you and also give you a sense of achievement, which in turn, further motivates. As lots of others have said on other posts, make a list of what you need to do, and then cross off each task as it's done. Build in rewards. And plan to have a social life, so when you're out, or relaxing, you can do that and not feel guilty. Don't run away - this will just make you feel worse! Once you work out a plan and start working towards it, you'll feel better.

Hey Bilbo, sorry to hear you've been sick. It sounds like your work is going well though, and yep, we're all coping with parts being incredibly slow going. We'll get there!

Hello all

Well, I've just returned from a 4 day international conference (which was in my home country, so no nice overseas trips for me!). I gave a paper, which generated quite a good amount of interest, met people and discussed some collaborative work and visits, and had lunch with two of the world's experts in my area and we discussed my thesis. Wow!! They were really interested, gave great feedback and think my work is worthwhile. So, am on a definite high and raring to go!!

This, of course, has done nothing for my word count, but has been invaluable. Hope everyone else is also motivated at the moment!

And I'm now down to 7 months...

I too work from home, and find the major problem is isolation. But if you're going in to uni a couple of days a week, you should be OK. But also make time to see other people/do other things. I go to the gym most days, to make sure I get rid of the cricks from studying, and also as it's good to do classes with people.

And I agree with the others - separate space for work, routine etc. Enjoy!

It depends on comparable theses in your discipline, but in mine, also in social sciences, 60,000 words would be way too long. I also had a really long lit review, and am splitting it into two chapters, one focusing on context, and the other a really targeted, concise lit review which I think will be about 15,000 words. Maybe you need to think about restructuring?

Journals are internationally ranked, and the ranking might be listed on your faculty's website. I'm new to this publishing biz myself, but from what I understand, there are three tiers. The first and most prestigious journals in the first tier are internationally renowned, and it takes a good couple of years from submitting to publishing. Tiers 2 and three are less prestigious, but still acclaimed. And then there's the rest which don't make it onto the list, which can still include credible academic journals, and are likely to consist of domestic journals. And then I think online journals would be below this level...so congratulations on your publication, next is to aim for the next level up!

I think I'd also go for option B. You need to deceide what will work best for your PhD. If you can draw on your work experience and have a good supervisor lined up, this sounds more promising than starting a PhD where you know less and don't know your supervisor. Being some place you like less than other places isn't also a bad thing - it can motivate you to do the PhD and get out of there - a long as you don't think you'd really hate it and be depressed.

Good luck at the drs Fred. Hopefully even taking this first step will make you feel better, then you can work out a whole range of strategies to get you back on track. And if you need to take an extra year to do your PhD, well, that's fine too. Don't worry about that now.

Are you really a year behind with your reading? If this was a major problem, wouldn't your supervisors have noticed by now? Bilbo's right - talk to them. And go and see your doctor - those records remain confidential and your employer doesn't need to know. If you need to take time off work to see a dr, do it. We all go to dr and don't tell the boss why!

See a counsellor too, to get some support and professional help. Analysing data can be overwhelming, you need to have a plan to do your work. Break it down into manageable chunks, do a little bit at a time - you'll get it done! Don't see it as one huge task where you don't know where to start, see it as a lot of smaller projects that you're going to work through.

Go and get some professional help. It sounds like you're really motivated and want to work, you just need a bit of help right now. Look after yourself, good luck.

Can I also just say, I can't understand people doing a PhD for the money. What money??!!? Sure, it's more than unemployment benefits, but where I am, it's not even minimum wage! By the time someone has the quals/intelligence to do a PhD, they could earn more doing anything else. The money argument has me beat...although maybe other countries provide more funding...