To add, if you are struggling with mood and so on please don't be afraid to seek additional help as you shouldn't have to struggle alone and vent here as often as you like if that helps.

Do take care.

You are being too hard on yourself - ease up! Can you take a short time out before coming back to it? This might give you some much needed space and a sense of perspective. Not sure what else to say other than be kinder to yourself.

I've been given a possibility of who my examiners will be (by no means confirmed) and as far as I know neither have published in the area.

I've voted everyone a star on this thread but only some appear...strange...

Scottishkelpie, that's great to read and exactly what I'm hoping for. Strangely enough, I sometimes think had I got to do the PhD I wanted it may not have went as well. With this PhD I am keen to let it go once the funding runs out but had the situation been different I think I'd always be trying to improve my work and been constantly seeking perfection (which doesn't exist) as I'd want to put it out there. I feel very flat about this work, am keen to disassociate myself from it, feel like screaming when people assume it's where my interest is and will not feel the same sense of pride if I pass.

Hi Blue, I haven't finished yet but am nearing the end. I suppose the point I was trying to make is most people think you need to be passionate about a PhD in order to do one and I really don't think you do. Yes, to me, it's much like a job. I've always actually felt very detached from it. I don't love it, I don't hate it (hate the fact that I couldn't do the PhD that I wanted due to lack of supervisors and funding), don't feel much of anything for it (sadly) but just get on with it.

Thank you. That's really nice of you to say and it's what I'm hoping for. You've earned a well deserved star!

Hi all,

I'm coming to the end of my PhD. I can state I never had an interest in, never mind passion for the topic. I did it because I was unemployed, in debt and very, very much needed the money!!! The PhD has been much less stressful than being unemployed and without money, in my opinion, but the only time I've ever thought about the PhD is when I work on it. I've never suffered from imposters syndrome, never felt guilt when not working on it and I intend to bin my hard bound copy of the thesis when I get it as I will just view it as a dust gatherer. It just isn't that important to me.

I keep reading that you need passion to do a PhD. It helps greatly if you do but in my experience as long as a PhD creates a better present than the alternative (which for me was continued unemployment) then that's enough.

For what it's worth, I've had only a limited amount of corrections to make and no rewrites and from what I can gather I'm the dream PhD student...just regret not being given the opportunity to do my dream PhD.

:-s

Don't be meek, don't boast but do be confident and market your abilities as best you can as that's the ideal. If you can't be confident, try to ACT with confidence!

The whole interview thing is difficult. Lack of interviews doesn't inspire our confidence and I think it shows in interviews. The more knockbacks we get the more we lack confidence in our performnance at interview and so the circle continues.

My theory is that bribing the interview panel or panels to make the 'right' decision is our best bet but since we are looking for jobs mainly because we are not in employment and are skint we don't have the money to do that:p

Life just isn't fair...:-s

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I had an interview recently and was just pipped to the post. Not a job I wanted as such and it may have involved a move but I applied because any job is good in this climate but in a sense I was glad the decision was made for me. I'm not just saying this but I'm rubbish at interviews as well and some past employers have told me that but since they knew me or knew of some of my work it all worked out.

If that question is asked a lot, you'd be best having an answer and just wheeling it out when necessary.

Difficult times for us all and so take comfort in the fact that you're not alone.

Keep trying!!!

I hope it all goes well for you. Best of luck!

Hi Ady,

I've sent you a link by PM. You might also like to try the Royal Horticultural Society website.

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Fantastic! I hope this all works out for you and that things continue to improve.

That's great Beajay! It's always good to read great news - thank you.