I am doing a PT distance PhD, just finishing my 3rd year...
I am working FT in special education in Greece, my first language is Greek and my uni is in UK....

I thought it would have been easier, but I was sooooo wrong..... If I was aware of the difficulties I wouldn't have started it..... I am working 6 hours every day as my "normal" job, and then I spend all afternoon and evening on my PhD. I meet with my sups every 2-3 months, and I travel to UK for these meetings.

You have to be really organised, have a tight schedule and stick to it. You, also have to be prepared to give up your social life and your weekends.... But it is possible!

If I have made it (I am currently writing up my thesis) with the adding difficulty of language (my first language is Greek), then you can also do it!!!!

Good luck!

My PhD is on the same topic as my master.
Im my master's dissertation I did a -mainly- quantitative study where I found some things that could be further explained.
So, basicaly, my PhD research is a qualitative study expanding my dissertation...

Got it!
Thanks again!

Does anybody have access to this?

Sherman, A. (2000) Women Managing/Managing Women The Marginalization of Female Leadership in Rural School Settings Educational Management Administration Leadership vol. 28 no. 2, pp 133-143


Thank you!

I have been to several conferences (national and international) and I noticed that everone wears whatevers s/he comfortable in.
Personaly, I wear jeans and a shirt or a blouse...

Although I am working FT, although after my PhD I will have to stay at my current post for at least 10 years before moving on, although the extra money I will get for my PhD is the amount of 30 euros per month...I think it is the best thing for me!
I love my subject and I have learned a loth these three years. I have met wonderful people, been in conferences etc
After finishing I will have much more qualifications than are needed for my job, but my job will not change! I am not sure I want it to change.....

http://phdtheses.ekt.gr/eadd/?locale=el

For Greek PhDs

Don't get me wrong and please forgive the possible "not-correct" way I am going to write, as English is not my first language.

I find it a little difficult to believe that everything in your department is wrong and nobody knows what they are doing except from you... I find it difficult to believe that (using your own words) "Their research and conversations abound with such wild errors in logic, scope shifts, semantic inconsistencies, and conclusions that grossly overextend the data ". Maybe this is true for some of them, bur for all of them?
And if you think that everything is wrong, why don't you try to base your thesis on proving that earlier research on your subject is not correct and that yours is here to "do the right thing"?

Done! Good luck!!!!!!

Congrats!!!!! Good luck with your viva prep now (although you seem really capable of doing it)!!!!!

I come from a country where children live with their parents until they get married (and sometimes after that)!
Parents are thought as "obliged" to provide accommodation for their children and their spouses, if they wish to stay with them.
Despite this, I chose, from the moment I entered a university, to move form my parents'. Then when I started work, I was living on an island which was really far from my place for two years. When I got transferred, I chose to live alone again. Now, although my house is just across my parents', I live alone. I think that independence is really important! Being able to do what I want, when I want in my house! Even having my house decorated the way I like!!
On the other hand, if you don't get funding and you will have to stay at his parents', do you think that you will feel comfortable? 600 pound per month just for travel expenses (300 each, isn't it?) it's not something not to consider! I don't know about rent where you are, but if you spend a couple hundred more, couldn't you rent your own place?

My first degree and my two masters are in the same broad area of my PhD (education), but they cover so different aspects of it, that it feels as if they are completely different!
When I started my PhD I was thinking that it could be an extension of my second master! BUT the reality proved me wrong! It is completely different, different key theorists, different theories, different analysis...everything different! It's like learning a completely new subject area!
So, I guess if you are motivated and you love your subject you can do it!

Thank you all for your support!!!! It is nice to have your work and effort recognised!!!!!!!
Personally, I am one of the people that try to find something positive at everything, but lately I really needed the encouragement, as I started feeling tired and a little demotivated! So this couldn't have come at a better time! ;-)


P. S. The "positive thread" is a nice idea!!!!!!!!
:p