Did we have to go through some kind of validation exercise to register (e.g. CAPTCHA)? If not, then that's probably why we have this problem. It doesn't stop the more proactive spammers from registering an account, but at least it would filter most of them.

It should be a simple matter of selecting a new crop of moderators who are regular posters, rather than those who were active a few years ago.

Your first port of call should be your supervisor. Request samples of proposals from their previous students. Another option is to ask some established PhD students in your department if they could provide a copy of theirs.

Note to admin: can we remove the repeated and blatent advertising from contentwritings and others?

Hi Hazyjane,

I was working an 8-5 full time job for the last 4 years of my PhD (part time). It wasn't easy. For the last year in particular, it was hard to concentrate on my job, as the PhD occurpied a great deal of my mental head space. It was fustrating not being able to work on the PhD during the most mentally productive part of the day (~ 10am -3 pm for me). I worked on the thesis during my lunch break for an hour, snuck in some writing during occasional lulls at work, and spent my entire Sundays in the office (for peace and quiet). I also used quite a chuck of my annual leave to get some writing in.

It's going to a significant challenge for you, but it's doable.

Cheers

A good time to give gifts will be after you receive the award. Until then, their job isn't done. I plan on giving my supervisor a gift when I visit the university to graduate early next year (I'm external and interstate).

It sounds like you are dividing your mental focus across all of your chapters at once, which is probably why you have writer's block. Focus on getting a chapter to completion, then move onto the next one. Rinse and repeat until you have a complete thesis draft. Then you are well on the way to finishing.

If you had been the only applicant selected from the first round, there wouldn't have been a second round. No doubt the field has been reduced somwhat, and your chances of getting the position have increased.

You can't predict the decision, unless you have inside information, or a crystal ball.

Best to just wait it out, and all the best.

As long as you can reliably find a free workstation you should be ok. I wouldn't like to be hotdesking during the write up stage, when you really need somewhere to 'call home', spread out your notes and papers, and not have to worry about packing it all up at the end of the day.

A university should at least provide their PhD students with a desk and a chair in a workspace of sorts (e.g. cubicle). If not, maybe they shouldn't take on more students than they can adequately provide for.

Another option is to seek out 1 or 2 associate supervisors who can assist you with the more technical aspects of your thesis. Your main supervisor can focus on the 'big picture' aspect of your thesis and provide logistical and administrative support. This is essentially what I did for my PhD, and it worked.

It depends on which institution you are enrolled at. At mine, the two external examiners are nominated by your thesis committee, and the only input the student has is to specify who they don't want as an examiner.

I wouldn't recommend submitting without your supervisor's approval. You just increase your chances of having to do major corrections or revising and resubmitting.

We have supervisors for a reason. It's acceptable (and encouraged) to argue with your supervisor when you have different views on certain aspects of your thesis. Most supervisors are happy when their students 'defend' their work, as it shows they are becoming indpendent researchers (as long as you can convince them you are right). It's a completely different matter to undermine their position (and your PhD) by submitting without permission. It will only be a matter of time before all universities require supervisor signoff prior to submission.

It took me 24 months to write up my thesis, but that was part time, and with a family and demanding full time job.

If you are are full time, I don't see why it should take more than 12 months, provided you have focus and discipline, and listen to your supervisor.

Those two users haven't logged onto this site for 4-5 years.

Just being a PhD student doesn't carry much weight, both within academia and outside of it. Even with a PhD, if you don't have the work experience and track record, you risk being labelled a 'duffer'.

Thanks for posting, I really enjoyed it.