Examination of a PhD is down to subjective opinion. I'm being very sincere in saying this but I'll always maintain it's not a fair assessment of someone's academic ability. I'd have been completely livid had I got an R & R because my supervisors were ineffectual, in my opinion, but I don't think it would have made me question my academic ability. I think success and failure in a PhD is down to many factors and so don't take the R & R to heart. A PhD, as like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.

At least you're back home and with people who care about you. I'm not sure what my plans are. I'm really not keen on moving for contract work but obviously don't want to spend my life unemployed and so I'm considering ways out or alternatives. It'll all work out in the end! I feel more sorry for you because I know you like academia.

Absolutely delighted for you - great news Dr Sneaks(up)

I'm pretty sure someone was on the forum recently with an R & R which they passed subject to minor corrections

I have no experience of this but know it's nerve wrecking waiting on corrections to be approved and so I feel for you. I wish you all the very best and fingers crossed!

I'm not surprised your confidence is low. I know it's hard and it may feel pointless at times but try to get those papers finished while you have the time. It will do you no harm and may even do you some good and interviewers will see that you have used your time constructively. I do hope you are not on your own and if you can't be with your boyfriend you at least have friends and family around you. There are websites which allow you to advertise your services such as people per hour but I'm not sure how good they are. What about online tutoring as well? Perhaps putting notices around the local universities selling yourself as a proofreader? I'm justing trying to think of things to tide you over, get you a bit more income. It is very difficult but you're not on your own. If I can think of anything else I'll let you know.

Try to stay strong!

Some people find a mock viva useful but others don't. It very much depends on the individual, I didn't have one and didn't want one. Do what makes you feel comfortable and ask your supervisors to respect your decision.

It's tough, but the way I looked at it was I knew the work would have to be done at some point and once I got my head round this and started it did become easier, especially when I saw myself achieving things. There's a one goal thread on here which is helpful for many, why not have a look at it and maybe contribute to it and give and get support from others feeling the same?

Larrydavid, you're wasted on academia, you are a very funny man. Thanks for the link:-)

Sorry, but I thought Larrydavid was funny, Beth12 gave good, sound advice and Pineapple29 is to be admired for taking the comments in good spirit.

I've always been astounded that Pineapple29 exceeded the word limit and by some margin - it wasn't really acceptable - but her supervisors should have stepped in before it got that far. Universities are usually very clear on word limits. However, Pineapple29 has every right to post as much as she likes and start as many threads as she likes, just as people can decide whether or not they want to read her posts. I would encourage Pineapple29 to posts if she wants or needs to as it would be great to see her get through this difficult time and get her PhD. I've used this forum to vent, sometimes time and again about the same issues and it's been of great help and if Pineapple29 needs to do the same she has every right.

A break might be better sooner rather than later because I feel it might increase your productivity. It's difficult to knuckle down when a big task awaits us and we can feel overwhelmed. However, most of the work has been done and keep that in mind, break what you need to do into little chunks, form a tick list and watch is getting shorter - it's a great feeling!

I can fully appreciate what Pineapple29 is going through as I found the corrections very, very tough going. I think in my head although I knew I could get corrections I also thought once I'd submitted (prior to viva) I'd finished and was gutted on finishing the marathon to be told to jog on for a bit longer. Pineapple29, you will get there (up)

I'm in good form today and think I can answer your question objectively - I wouldn't study the subject I did and that's for certain (nearly 9 years in total). I'd have went to university and studied something less satisfying but that had good career opportunities. However, my age is against me and I wouldn't pay fees given what I now know about the value of an education

I do hope you're OK, you've gone through a lot and are going through a lot. Please try not to take your situation to heart, it's not you but the economic climate - YOU are very employable, it's just employers are few and far between...I could be wrong but if I remember you moved for the job you were in. I've done that twice now (for contracts) and am not prepared to do it again. I want to be able to have a pet (should I want one), establish longer term friendships and have a life.

If my back is put against the wall, and after I've exhausted all the avenues, if I can't get anything I will consider joining some essay mills and I'll not feel guilty about it. When I was unemployed before the PhD, the unemployment office had talked about sending me on a skills course to assess and perhaps improve my writing ability (they treat people not as individuals but as a mass). I was completely devastated and applied for PhD's here, there and everywhere in the hope the economic climate would have picked up by the time I'd finished but it's worse. Please do what you need to do to survive.

Just look after yourself.

Thanks for confirming. I thought that might have been the case.

I responded to a post about someone wanting to quit and it didn't post. What is even stranger is the fact the orginal post has disappeared and there didn't appear to be anything wrong with it.

Yes, do approach her but in the manner you normally would. Again, as strange as it seems this might prepare you well for the viva because the examiners will be objective and will judge you on your research (its good and bad points) and so your supervisor is doing right by you through her feedback. I'm being truthful in saying she doesn't mean to harm you but wants to help you as best she can. She knows you can pass, otherwise she wouldn't have let you get to this point.

Chin up!

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They're letting you progress and so you're doing well.

If you're that concerned talk it through with her but try not to get emotional and stress you want to learn from this progress report and treat her as you always do, that is, don't soft soap her or be harsh. Who wrote it? Your supervisor or a panel? What I'm going to say sounds strange but at least you know where you stand. I never had access to these reports (wasn't allowed), my supervisors provided very little feedback throughout the three years and when they did it was ALL positive. It came as a shock (although I agree with them) when the examiners produced a list of corrections. I now feel as though my supervisors were not sincere or too polite to be more honest (truth be told I don't think they read my work). The PhD for me was not a learning experience and I'm learning more from the corrections. I can see why you are upset but this feedback has been given to pull the best from you. You're a good student otherwise you wouldn't be there.:-)