Cornflower, you're not alone, a lot of people spend Christmas Day on their on. Log on here on Christmas Day and I'll wish you a Merry Christmas. Try to remember, as strange as it seems, some people feel forced to spend Christmas Day with others they don't rub along with and would rather be on their own...

Fantastic! Great news! Happy days!!!

As an aside, I don't mind anyone knowing I had minor corrections and if they ask I'll tell them but is this documented on the certificate? Is there anyway someone can find out?

It's a fantastic and rare achievement and so well done. However, it looks brattish when documented, in my opinion.

Well done!

I know the waiting is frustrating. My fingers are crossed for you. I've just been shortlisted for interview for one post (can't come soon enough) but not getting my hopes up!

A research assistant post *normally* comes before a PhD. Although sometimes people work as a research assistant during their PhD and some are research assistants even after completing a PhD. A post-doc (post-doctorate) is a form of research usually undertaken by someone holding a PhD.

I started looking for posts about 4 - 6 months before submitting my PhD but have had no luck as yet. Keep an eye on academic type websites etc and apply for things that appeal to you and are in line with your qualifications and experience.

I hope this helps.

Fantastic Sneaks. I'm sure you're glad. Just the viva to look forward to now...

I was told my revisions would be checked to ensure they're in order, if that helps and it will be an examiner that will check them.

Thanks again everyone! Ian, that's what I'm hoping for. You've all been very supportive, thanks.

Thanks everyone. The forum was my greatest source of support during the three years and so thanks to you all. You made it a lot easier!

Ady, I wouldn't worry about that at all. Just note it, bring it into the viva and if it's raised acknowledge it as already noted. You're being so fine tuned in everything you do I think you'll breeze through your viva, I honestly do.

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Thanks everyone. I wish everyone who has a viva soon all the very best. It may be difficult but try to get a good nights sleep before the viva (I didn't and suffered for it) and try to relax and remain calm throughout as it'll help you think more clearly.
Best of luck!

Thanks everyone! Seriously glad it's over.

I recently passed my PhD with minor corrections.

I can't recall details of much of the viva as I was very nervous throughout. It lasted less than three hours and the questions I was expecting didn't really come up. It was tougher than I expected and the questions mainly revolved around methodology and statistics.

In my opinion, you need to know your thesis inside out and understand why you made the decisions you did. I didn't spend long preparing for it and don't think additional preparation would have helped. It was very much driven by the examiners and their take on my thesis and wasn't how I'd imagined it was going to be.

I'm just relieved it's over!