My thoughts are very much with Greece, it's a horrible time and although I feel up against it I know I'm not suffering to that great extent. I'm not sure how the global economy got into such a mess...Difficult times for many, many, many people:-(

Hi Skig,

It's not a nice feeling but best to apply sooner rather than later. I have been unemployed a number of times in the past and haven't always claimed until I've ran out of money (and sometimes even then I've waited until I've run out of food or can't pay a bill) and it has seriously messed up my N.I. contributions and now I'm trying to pay them back as well. The way I see it, if I'm trying to get a job, which I am, then I am entitled to the money.

Thanks angelette and Wally. The write up is finished and I could submit at any time and will do very soon. I told them when the funding ended, that I was effectively finished but that I still had to hand it in and they seemed fine with that. I really do want a job and could start a full-time post tomorrow - there's just nothing out there. I took the PhD is the first place to dig myself out of unemployment hell and can't believe I'm back there again.

Thanks for the tips everyone.

This all sounds very horrible and very soul destroying but good to know.

Thanks! I think...

Thanks Skig, there's not much more I can do and so I'm going to submit soon and just hope for the best.

Sneaks, whatever you are going through I'm going through it with you!!!

Ady, great minds really do think alike as I was thinking of me when I read that! It's difficult to say but I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Thanks for responding. Hopefully, I'll get a job sooner rather than later...

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I have been looking for work and have had many rejections of late. Because no jobs are in sight I registered as unemployed yesterday. I am actively looking for full-time work and have the time to do a full-time job. I was immediately told by an adviser that in 3 months they'll consider placements for me and make me do voluntary work. Had they checked the information I gave them they would know I had genuinely applied for jobs.

Can they do this? I certainly don't mind doing voluntary work and have done in the past but can I not arrange this myself? I already feel harrassed by them and I've done nothing wrong!

Thanks Sneaks, that's good to know.

Thanks Mac for the good advice. I'm going through it and correcting stuff. I think it would cause problems if I ask anyone within the department to read it because it might get back to them. I certainly won't hold back if it causes problems at the viva. The thing is one of my supervisors would turn up at the opening of an envelope if it got them noticed and so they intend to be there. I didn't really want them there as I know they won't help if things go adrift but I politely asked them but hinted I would prefer it if they didn't attend. They, as per usual, ignored my hint.

DrCorinne, thank you for your post, and it gives me hope given what you went through and what you achieved, and do hang around as I need the support!!!

Sneaks, seems we are currently in the same boat. If the water gets in, I hope we swim rather than sink! I find it reassuring to know I'm not alone...still feel for you though because I understand your frustration.

Ady, you're an inspiration, I like the sound of your supervisor and having a supervisor like that would give me great confidence going into viva. You've got a fantastic work ethic. I've every confidence in you, you just need more confidence in yourself.

Strangely enough, I never found the PhD workload stressful but my source of stress comes from my supervisors:-s

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Thanks everyone! If anything is read, it is always the first parts and nothing else receives comments unless I direct them to parts and even then I don't always get feedback. I don't doubt myself but lack confidence in them and feel with good supervisors I'm more than capable of a PhD. I feel I'm learning and will and should make mistakes (because I am learning). The job of a supervisior, in my opinion, is to guide the way and show you how to learn from your mistakes but this doesn't seem to be happening. I don't think the PhD has been a good learning experience as I don't feel I've learned anything....I'm being very serious. I just have more knowledge about a topic that holds no interest!!!

Your posts have been very helpful, thanks(up)

I'm due to submit soon and don't feel entirely happy with my project. It's not clear if one of my supervisors read the final draft (it was suggested they had but I received no substantial feedback just that it's very good) and another supervisor had it for many weeks but seemed to read it in less than an hour (I can't say how I know), suggested minimal changes and told me to submit. It was my first and last draft. I had previously given chapters but these were returned, sometimes with no changes. I've checked it though, found mistakes that should have been picked up (I knew they were there and had hoped they would provide guidance) and although I don't care for the project as such, I don't want to fail due to others and am unhappy given that it I had to do a project they wanted and not one that reflected my interests.

Any advice as to how I can protect myself?

Sorry if this post doesn't make sense but I'm quite uptight as I write this.