and my collegue just told me that one of his phd students, quit her phd this week! after 2 years! so thats abit of a shock to everyone. but she said its because of technical difficulties and not having any data and etc. but i reckon lab politics has alot to do with it.

AND my other collegue was "considering" about quitting his phd too, because he's so unhappy in the lab environment. and with our supervisors.. but he's gonna stick to it, because he's invested 2 years in it.

so it makes me feel better that i am not the only one that feels like this.

anyone have any advice on how i can get over my anxiety to meet my supervisor for my meeting? i think i am suffering from agrophobia. i haven't left the house, and i feel scared to do so.

i was thinking of emailing him on monday to arrange a meeting, but i dont want to meet him next week... but then i cant keep avoiding it.

but i still haven't recieved my examination forms. so maybe i should wait till i get the forms, and then arrange the meeting. i cant afford to keep going to the lab (train fares etc are so expensive). so might aswell do it all in one trip.
maybe i can just email him the thesis content and give him a brief outline of the chapters i want to write, and what i have done so far.

he still hasnt answered my first email i wrote to him.

and my second supervisor told me she will get back to me on the rough draft of one of the chapters i sent her.

sorry just thinking out loud. it helps me to get it out, otherwise it keeps swooshing in my head and clouds my brain.

ok i've decided:

sat - target: zero draft of chapter 6.

sun - target: 1st draft of chapter 3.

monday - make a detailed outline of all the chapters and thesis.
- phone the graduate office (again) and ask them if they have sent the examination forms.

* wait for the forms to come in the post. and then email evil supervisor to arrange a meeting.

okay i feel better.

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next deadline is next friday: zero or 1st draft of my main result chapters:

chapter 2 (zero draft previously done based on first paper published + need to do a 1st draft and include some stuff from mphil thesis)

chapter 3 (zero draft done, sent to 2nd supervisor, awaiting feedback)

chapter 4 (zero draft nearly finished)

chapter 6: need to do a zero draft from scratch, one of the hardest chapters of my thesis. some of which will take from mphil but most will have to write from lab books and from memory eek.

hope work is going well.

thanks Jojo, still haven't started. i take ages, "warming up" lol.

Just caught up on reading your previous few posts.

Chin-up Lara, don't let that evil supervisor get the better of you! You've done so well so far I can't believe your sup doubts you when you are so driven!

Just remember you're not alone, you've got the whole September Club behind you!

Thanks Ang! really appreciate that!

hope your chapter is going well Lara. i'll make time to read through your blog - something to do during my break.

erm i've not started yet. i'm sitting here stressing about the examination forms. but miss spacey, has been kind enough to send them to me by email

i just recieved a letter from the university graduate tutor in the post an hour ago...

and they have given me an extension. but i HAVE to submit by 30th september, or they will DEFINATELY terminate my registration. so i have 1 month as a safety net. but i wont tell my evil supervisor. and i will aim for the sept 1st deadline.

i am going to email my supervisor on monday and arrange a meeting. i finally have to face the dragon. can't put it off any longer. and just deal with whatever he says to me. but i will stand my ground and refuse to do any more experiments. even if they say. i dont have enough data and what i have is not "worthy" of a phd. but i am worried about him threatening me about the decision to submit isn't just mine.

i'm gonna make a huge spider diagram, of how i think my thesis should be,chapters, and sub sections , and content. and then will have a definate plan for when i meet with them next week.

and then work on my zero draft of chapter 6 today. and 1st draft of chapter 3 tommorow.

hope your work is going well. and you're most definately not alone in the studying department glad my message made you smile! it's a comfort to know you're busy studying away too.

Hey Lara,
just been catching up on your posts, have been a bit less laptop-connected since the marathon sesssion last sunday night. Trying to get back into writing now after getting some feedback...it's making my brain creak.
Sounds like you've made some good progress, and have a good plan for the upcoming days. Don't let the fear of the sup meeting cloud your work too much (easier said than done, I know, it's not a skill I am very good at).
How is the spider coming along? I'm a big fan of flipchart paper, felt tip pens and postit notes (with a rainbow of colours) for planning. And taking over the dining table. And I have coloured paper when I'm doing summaries or lists...or just want a change! I'm sure this says a lot about me!
Good luck!

Hi sorry to interupt in the middle of your threads but I havent been on here in a while, I've had a serious bout of writers block, i'm so thrilled to see what youre doing. I find it really inspiring and might try to follow your example. Im second year going into third, with one chapter written 5 to go (crap huh) I've just ordered the writing your thesis fifteen minutes a day book, thank u for motivating me.

update: yesterday:
wrote a detailed thesis outline (chapters, and headings etc)..to show my supervisor when i have the dreaded meeting.

wrote approx 300 words, describing my thesis. (Which you have to send along with your entry examination forms!).

filled in all my examination forms. (thanks to miss spacey for sending them to me and telling me all about the submission procedure, you are an absolute star!)...

she also told me about the procedure. so feel better about it.

and then i attached little post it notes, next to the bits my supervisor needs to sign, so that there's no delay if he's missed a signature or what not.

wrote an email to my supervisor, asking him nicely to please arrange examiners for me. and to arrange a meeting when he is free to discuss my thesis chapters.