Oh Sneaks, I feel your pain as I had to copy and paste a hideous number of graphs into my thesis chapters! I was a long and tedious job. I am trying to get motivated for a bit of proof-reading..............................................................................

I had my labbooks from the very start so initially it was methodology ideas.  Included in this were notes of key references that framed my methodology. I also wrote down minutes of my supervisory meetings and deadlines I needed to respond with uni paperwork.  So yes really it was a weekly-ish diary too. Once the experiments started all of the data were written down for each experimental session.  This was later inputted into excel. Once I entered the write-up phase the thesis structure ideas were written in these books too.  Essentially they are a log of data and events for my PhD journey rather than 'labbooks' which would imply just data. These are the proof that it was my project and work in chronological order.  I was advised early on to sign and date each page for authenticity. Then to 'copyright' the pages of the books by photocopying them, sign/date the copies and send to yourself.  The unopened envelope provides a 'date' for that work via the postmark. Once you have publications those will endorse your authorship and rights over the data.

Oh, you can never write too much in these labbooks either!  At the write-up stange you may appreciate reading through these books to reestablish what you did and why. Any thought processes you had back then that may have seemed trivial might make much more sense later.

I am self-funded for my PhD (part-time) and I have never had my fees waived.  My yearly fee is much lower but over the time duration about the same as per a full time student. This may be an option as previously suggested which will also allow you more time for part-time or full-time working.  Is it possible that when you applied for the part-time research technician at that uni that the fees are waived as you are considered a member of staff? Maybe this was what the Professor was implying?

I would enquire about your financial difficulties and potential solutions but I would not appear arrogant as people are less likelty to help you.  Good luck

Oh dear Pink Numbers that doesn't sound good, however sometimes writing it down or speaking about it makes the problem not so bad as first thought. Like you say, hopefully tomorrow it will all be ok. It is a very stressful time writing up with deadlines looming and it makes it slightly easier when you can acknowledge that. Some stress is good for creativity but it is a balance and knowing when to take a break is also beneficial. Likewise taking small steps through the difficult days so that things are still moving (albeit slowly) helps when you get stuck.

Hi Jojo, I am so glad that you are relaxed now and addressing those corrections. You deserve this doctorate for pure determination and resilience for sure. I am one of those 'not so relaxed' students waiting for sups to comment on my final draft. I am in a tense state of limbo awaiting to address their comments in the hope of submitting soon. I think the viva is the beginning of the end of the journey for me. I hope that once the viva has passed and I know what the examiners have in store for me I can reflect, relax and deal with it. I feel more anxious at this point than any other time in my PhD journey so I am looking forward to being able to relax with my family! I hope the examiners have been specific in their report so that it all goes smoothly for you.

Hi all, well I am still awaiting comments from two sups for my final draft..........one only got access to it Monday.  Oh well, may be a bit more waiting then! I am very slowly proof-reading as I have lost some motivation, something to do with being in limbo.  I see other posts about submissions and viva prep and I cannot believe that I could be posting something similar soon. Whilst I don't have the overall writing up anxieties hanging over me they have been replaced by other 'imposter' anxieties.  I think that for me so far the hardest bit was writing the thesis as it seemed such an impossible mountain, but I have done it and so can all of you here.

Keep going everyone and let us know if you get stuck as we have some very good advisers and motivators in this group!

PS, well done Ady for the coveted three stars! I love your advice, constructively positive as always (up)

Well done Martie! It is a long slog to submission and I hope that I am only weeks away myself. I can totally relate to your pain, sweat, tears and long hours as it is a labour of love, hate, frustration and at times enjoyment. This is the beginning of the final PhD journey - viva, maybe some corrections and award. Take a well earnt break!

Wow, what a PhD journey you have had!  I think that despite the major set backs in this project you have salvaged many articles and conference papers that should add some value to your thesis. The fact that you have managed to transfer to another uni must suggest that they feel you have enough for a thesis.  Do you have new supervisors at this uni to talk it over with? If so I would use your new sups for advice on the best approach for presenting your 'data'/publications in your thesis.  Once you start to write-up the thesis you will discover your gaps if there are any. It will also give you an idea of what concerns examiners may have and what responses you will need to prepare.  Hopefully the examiners will be within the same field and aware of your contribution.

Good luck with it, you have come so far despite an awful situation, well done.

I avoided all mention of valentines by getting stuck into proof-reading my thesis, what a fun evening that was! Also playing spot-the-typo and worryingly I haven't found any yet.

I can totally sympathise with you over the viva date change. I think we focus so much on this date being the beginning of the end of our PhD journey. Putting this back means that the finale won't start for another few weeks, such a disappointment. However, I can also see that if the external examiner has had extenuating circumstances they will not be able to give your thesis the attention it deserves. It will give you a bit more time for viva prep and the time delay is very small given the time you have spent on it. Perhaps take a few days away from the thesis for some relaxing and reflection.

Hi Swetchha, well done for the writing you have achieved.  A draft by May will be well on the way for your target submission. The methodology chapters are very hard to keep motivated for, often revisiting stats and graphics too.  It is usually a very 'dry' chapter which makes it rather tedious to write. Keep giving yourself small goals to do on this chapter and you will get it done.  Your sups meeting tomorrow will hopefully inspire you to get going with this chapter. Hey what is a passed deadline when you have achieved alot so far! Keep us updated on how you are doing!

I agree that it is an unfortunate mistake, but you have noticed! Should you have gone to your viva without this knowledge then yes you would have looked bad, but you are going in knowing these omissions and will probably have rectified them by then. You could take a copy of the updated refs list with you to show that it has been corrected. Take a full list of errors with you (as there are likely to be more minor ones) and the examiners will be more accepting of the omissions. Don't worry about it as what is submitted is done. Make necessary notes and move on with your prep. Many people will have realised significant mistakes prior to viva and have passed. Good luck with it :-)

Oh dear Sneaks what an impossible situation.  Maybe send sup both drafts and then arrange a meeting to discuss good and bad points in both so that some compromise can be found. By the way, was confused initially by FFS, but now got it ;-)

Pink Numbers - glad the child distractions made you laugh, I am sure Ady and I will laugh about it when the theses are submitted and it becomes a distant memory :p

So tonight I started proof-reading my huge 270 page thesis, going to take some time!  I have got to the third section of the lit review which means checking cited refs in bibliography aswell, yawn! Found a possible Q for the examiners, so should I expand this minor area before submission?  Off to bed now and think about it but will press on with it tomorrow evening.

Wow, good to see I am not alone with numerous distractions when I really wanted to write.  The other day I had my toddler pulling off her clothes and her nappy to try the potty (she is not potty trained at 2 yrs yet) when hubby was here but on no only I will do :-s  It is a serious distraction seeing my toddler streaking around the house knowing she could pee at anytime, arghh! Otherwise, anytime I try to get on the laptop to do some work when the babies are about I generally end up with one trying to hang from my leg and another asking for x, y and z.  Really this is not the best studying environment! So now I have to either arrange hubby to deal with them (weekends) during the day usually when 2 out of 3 are napping for a quick 2 hours or wait until after 7pm when peace prevails.

So while hubby is away I plan to start the proof-reading of my thesis.  So tonight it starts!

I have had this same issue! I put my tables either on the same page if small enough or on the next page if larger. Rather than having a 1/2 page gap from the text to the table, I moved the later paragraph to before the table so that the text is neatly arranged. If you look at books often the text just follows on and the table may be found on the next page. If your tables are longer than a page then it may need to be split over two pages. The header should be present at the top of the table on both pages. Personally I preferred not to split my tables across two pages but you should check with you sup on the standard expected at your uni.

I have three sups who all have different contributions to my thesis.  I have my uni sup who has no expertise in my specific field but can direct me through the uni requirements. He can also be impartial for technical decisions.  I have a very hands on sup who is an expert in one part of the field I am working in. He is extremely good for timely responses and comments and has some knowledge of the uni requirements.  My third sup is by far the least proactive but has a good grasp of a different angle on my thesis. He has instigated my use of the lab facilities etc. I have met up with each individually and all together.  I have used their individual contributions based on their relevance. i.e. if they suggest different structures to the thesis then the uni sup would have the louder voice.  I wouldn't want more than three but having this many can be advantageous ie a thesis peer reviewed by three different people. You do not have to agree with them all of the time so long as you can justify your way then that is also acceptable!

I think for a start you need to try and have a meeting with all to address the topic/area of your PhD.  If their relationship is tense just be mindful when communicating with them individually.