Hey Bug, are you female or a drag queen?

Won't it seem a bit unnatural when you look back on it in years to come and you look different in all your other photos?

Personally, it sounds ghastly to me.

Sorry, Starshine, but in my opinion a PhD generally IS worthless unless you're going into an academic field or a job requiring PhD level knowledge - on job experience is FAR more valuable to employers and, whilst you certainly have a good amount of transferable skills from a PhD, it just isn't the same.

And I sympathise, 4matt, I had all the same thoughts and feelings - but it depends on your approach to life. If you let it bother you, it will. I've learned to just let it wash over me and taken the following view - my 20s were my "uni years" and my 30s will be my "career years". It makes me feel slightly more at ease for some reason!

That was the same for my MSc - 70% each in taught and dissertation - and that tends to be fairly standard most places BUT it can differ.

Warwick Business School is very highly regarded; within top 10 I would say.

What are the Uni rules regarding getting a distinction? Until we know exactly what they state we can't advise as each uni will have its own criteria.

I certainly agree with picking up any teaching/tutoring that's on offer, however this will probably only be one or two days a week at most and only during term time - I used to work from home most of the time and I did tutoring and arranged time with my supervisors/library visits/AOB on the same days. So you could still arrange to do some and only need to be in uni 1/2 days a week.

Similarly you'll also meet people on those days you're in if you arrange to do things for when you're about - I used to meet my friends at Uni quite regularly for coffee when I was in. People are in and out all the time anyway. I don't think it's really a problem.

I have suffered with SAD for years and used to have a lightbox, it's great, in fact I think I might get one again - I've been okay the past few years but this year it's really set off again, I nearly burst into tears at work the other day. My doctor recommended it as I was against using antidepressants (had a majorly bad experience with them in my youth) and it really helped. I can't remember what make I had, but you get what you pay for alas!

It's certainly very good experience giving talks or doing poster presentations at conferences - I work in private sector now and have had regular praise for my delivery skills and ability to write a good presentation as well, something a lot of people in private/public sector (including consultancy I would guess) really lack the ability to do.

It can be difficult to find conferences within your niche area but sometimes it's better to just try and at least get to one that's vaguely related (if somewhat stretching it) in order to get the ability to present. I'm not sure what area you are in, but are there any generalist conferences as well for your subject? Maybe if you're comfortable giving a broad idea of the area some other people on here might be able to give you an idea of some ?

Quite amusing I must admit and the situation I've seen quite a few people in!

A "nonstandard" entry (i.e. not just straight after a first/masters degree and getting work experience) is quite common these days - the only thing you would perhaps need to show in science is that you are up to date with the latests goings on, given that science changes quite rapidly - although your enhancement course would probably show that you have some of this.

Don't worry too much about having the gap, as long as you are able to explain why and show your commitment to doing a PhD it shouldn't be held against you.

Although I can't offer a personal perspective, I did used to live with a guy who came from SOuth Korea who had a wife and kids back home! That's a long time to be away, but I think it's a case of adapting plus , the reason he kept sane , was that you know it's for a fixed amount of time. Plus you'll have holiday time together in the year (which isn't insignificant) and ask about the option of working from home if your subject allows it - I did a non lab based subject in sciences and worked from home most of the time anyway. So you may end up being able to spend even more time with your family than you think!

Yeah, my friend often goes to Paris for the day - Eurostar is easy, very comfortable and will give you most of the day there.

You sounds like you're doing exactly the right thing already.

I barely had any viva prep time as I was working full time and commuting an hour each way on top (didn't have time for a mock viva either!). If your supervisor is unconcerned then that's a good sign. Just make sure you know your thesis inside out, which seems like you do, and think what sort of questions you may get asked, which again you seem to have done.

You'll be fine! Although having been through it myself I know someone saying that isn't enough to stop the worry, but you are doing all the right things (up)

Aw, well I'm off to Barcelona this week, but it's certainly easy for me to get to London - I work near a train station and it's not a long journey into London for me. So would be good to arrange something if we could!