Hi Button,

I am using EndNote and also given some training on it for new users. I have also developed a manual for the new users. It might be useful at the start. PM me your email address. I will send you a copy of it.

Hi Aotema,

I too had the same problem. In one point of my first yr PhD I started to think that I was not made for PhD but things turned well after excessive reading. Many times I completed the entire book but still hard to figure out what exactly it wanted to say. But, I am much comfortable now and I am not behind. At the end of the 2nd yr, supervisors said that my work is exemplary. Even in the first yr annual review, the same comment I got. The only solution I think is read, read, read and write, write.....In the first yr I spent lots of time reading, in the train station, in the car, anytime I had a chance...

Good luck to you.
Swetch

Hi keenbean,

Exactly the same feeling here. 2nd yr Annual review went well this week and starting 3rd yr from 1st Oct. Supervisors said that the progress is exemplary. I am happy for what I achieved but very scared for the work ahead. Planning to complete within 3 yrs. Sometimes I lose confidence in myself - the more I am into it, I feel there is so much to do...ughhh
swetch

Anyone using Nvivo? I have indexed almost 30 nodes of the data and kind of lost what to do next. It will definitely help me gather data of similar themes together and analyse more efficiently. However, seems I need to reduce it into more broader themes. Anyone knows how to integrate linked nodes into a larger theme, single title node to group the already developed nodes?

Thank you for your help !
Swetch

Hi,

I think better tell the truth to the registry. Anyway, if they check yr passport they will definitely come to know about the travel dates. It might create more problems. In my Uni, there is a clear policy that the student is responsible for informing directly to the registry apart from supervisors. I do write to registry directly about any changes (e.g. address, my travel etc). Do you have any written permission from the Supervisor? It will be helpful for you although it may be problematic to your supervisor. Wish you good luck and hope the things will sort out soon.

One more important thing: don't forget to make 16-25 rail card. Even if it says, 16-25, it is available to mature FT students as well..you will make lots of savings in your travel. Although it mainly works after 10 am, not bad though to have one. You can get the form online or from the nearby train station. The only thing needed is signature of your dept. or supervisor.

It's obvious to gain weight while most of us are on the desk most of the time. I do aerobics for 30-40 minutes in the morning. I could lose 5.5 lbs in 1.5 months :) The mission continues....

Hi, I agree with you all. I too have come across mothers (especially housewives) complaining that they don't have enough time in life. They are very busy with kid/s. Sometimes I feel how free I am that I have do PhD in my free time, having a small kid with me. No complain to anyone as this is what I chose for myself. Regarding comparison to medical doctorate, I agree it's really makes us feel bad sometimes.

Hi

It is not impossible but obviously challenging. If your son is in Nursery, he will go to school for just 2 hrs a day while in Nursery. So, will have to be prepared to have some childcare cost for you to have yr son looked after while you go to Uni for supervision meetings, workshops, conferences etc. But, once yr son goes to Reception after a year which will be normally 9 am to 3 pm, you will find very easy to concentrate on yr work except on his term breaks. My daughter is now having 1.5 months of holidays, not very easy to have full concentration on my work while she is at home but there is no choice.

Congratulations Dr. Amanda, what a great news !!!

Hi Emmab,

Had I been in your situation, I would start with part time and then switch to full time if I get full funding later. Currently, I am in full funding but have a daughter of 5, who when I started PhD was just 3. Obviously, childcare costs a lot. My hubby takes leave mostly when I need to go to supervision meetings, attend workshops etc (to reduce childcare cost) and in the worst case when he cannot help, I take help from a Childminder. I have a contract with her for this ad hoc help which is really helpful. I just need to inform her few days ahead and just pay for the hrs she looks after my daughter. Though sometimes juggle with all these, having had very understanding supervisors, they don't give me hard time for meeting in a very short notice. In fact, they had been very helpful for my fieldwork preparation which I had to conduct in my home country where I had to take my daughter along with me. Good luck to you.
Swetch

Hi Button,

Why don't you ask in yr Uni for the reason behind? We do get support from IT people in the Uni for all installation work. See if there is any notepad file, sometimes it contains UN and PW. Have to try to see yr CD cover? or, at the front of yr CD?

Luckily, my prof. organizes seminars every quarter or so among his PhD students doing the research in the same field. So, giving presentations, sharing ideas in the seminars is a good idea. Besides, our department runs PhD workshops every fortnightly where lot of us meet and get to share. The other part is formation of PhD groups in the department itself, which recently started. The PhDers in different phases give presentations where sharing takes place. There are many opportunities to share but this forum is one of the best, though don't know each other, it is really a good place to receive help when needed.

Swetch

Thanks for your best wishes blackbyrd. I am bit relieved today after my supervision meeting y'day. It seems that I am going to transcribe just the quarter of the data I have as per my supervisor. Besides, I also found someone here to transcribe for me. The scenario has changed in the past two days. I understand what you are going through, yr idea of changing to PT is also a good one. Good luck for yr write up.

Today, I am bit sad after coming to know that one of my colleagues in the department was not granted PhD. After working on it for five yrs, such a sad end result. Hope none of the PhDers here will have to suffer with this.

Hi all,

Thanks so much for your response. It at least made me assured that not only me in this phase. Hopefully, we all will get through his phase soon! My supervisors are expecting me to complete in 3 yrs. But, I started to doubt now. More confused than ever....over loaded with data and not sure what I am doing.

Yeah, I have transcribed all focus group data on my own as it would have been nightmare for any other transcriber. Catching up group discussion has been difficult for me too who actually conducted this. But, I have one year of audio programs from radio interviews. Since it is in not in English, had a hard time finding a reliable transcriber all the way from my home country. Some have shown interest over my email and hopefully gonna finalize one today. I am sure it will make me work faster. I hope to start writing up at least from October.
Swetch