In the humanities it's not expected that people publish papers. Many supervisors will very firmly tell their students to wait until after the PhD is finished.

Excellent result! Very pleased for you. I left a PhD in 1996 for health reasons, so a bit different from your circumstances, but like you I knew it was the right thing for me to leave, so I totally respect anyone else who makes that decision, for whatever reason.

I'm impressed at you lot rereading so much to check for errors. I was a bit slack on this at the very end of my thesis writing, and a few slipped through to my submitted thesis. I have a list of them to take into my viva in a couple of weeks. Though admittedly it's not an enormous list.

Good luck for the last push!

I use Inspiration which is another piece of mind-mapping software, and was bought for me through my Disabled Students' Allowance many years ago. To be honest I would think any piece of mind-mapping software would be fine. It's what you put into it that counts :p

Excellent news. Congratulations!

Good luck Wally and anyone else on the late night train tonight. I'm rather missing it myself! Perversely I admit, but I got much of my most productive PhD work done in the middle of the night.

I would send a card. I would think your supervisor would really appreciate the thought.

And I'm not someone who sends Christmas cards to sups, or anything like that. But this is different.

Thanks Wal, Sneaks and Eska. I gratefully accept for the multiple reasons mentioned! I've found this forum to be a true life-saver throughout my second go at a PhD, and I'm glad if I can give something back in return. Can I please dedicate this award to everyone else who has supported me in many ways. Much appreciated.

And very welcome cos I've just come down with shingles, so need a pick-me-up! :p

Don't know if she's still about at all (PM might get her though), but I'd like to nominate Lara for the you-can-get-a-PhD-if-you-hang-on-in-there award.

Sorry to hear you had to make such a tough decision, but it does indeed sound as though it's the right one. When I left a full-time science PhD 13 years ago, after falling long-term ill, it was the hardest decision I ever had to make, but once made I immediately knew it was the right one, and it was though a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Sounds like your decision is the same.

Also make sure you have a bit of a rest - you've been through a really tough time - before tackling the changes for MPhil submission.

If it was a major problem I think the examiners would have contacted you by now, either directly, or through your supervisor. Try not to worry about it. Hopefully everything will be just fine. I must admit that I didn't check my thesis printed versions fully either, though I had it printed and bound by the university's own printing service, so would hope they would have had enough ink ;-)

I didn't do anything for my Masters dissertation supervisor. But assuming I pass my looming PhD viva I plan to give my PhD supervisor a nice card, along with the nicely bound version of the thesis once finished.

Congratulations. When mine was handed in just over a month ago I felt incredibly numb at first, and rather dazed. Took a few days before relief sunk in.

Ah viva suit. I'm female, so it's slightly different. And I'm probably going to be using a wheelchair on the day (and self wheeling), so something practically comfortable is rather important. Will give that some thought.

Good luck with the mock viva. And good tips again. My external has a book out I've put an order in for, but goodness knows if I'll get it in time. None of the local libraries have copies. Well I tried :p

Thanks Poppy. Yes it all being over (barring corrections/resubmission/whatever!) come April is a very good thing to hang on to. I was hoping to have my viva in March, so am glad it will be.

Jateet: how's your viva preparation coming on? Any more tips/ideas to share. Good luck for the last few weeks.