Great post! Dr DJW you are an inspiration to me too, I am heading for Feb so keeping everything crossed.

Hi Sara

Welcome to the forum, I am pretty new myself to be honest.

I am afraid I don't have any advice about having feelings for other colleagues as it has never happened to me. Hope it works out though!

Fluffymonster

Hi alia

Have you thought of flagging this up with your dept as Fifi suggested? Do you have a director of studies for research degrees who has overall responsibility for PhD students?

Fluffymonster

Me too, I don't understand why people don't get it either. I am fed up with 'well a few hours off/evening/weekend' won't matter, well it does when you are desperately trying to write up!

Mind you, I can think of a few people who still think I am will be a qualified medic when I finished so there is no hope at all!


This is why I think this forum is great as I know that everyone here understands how much a PhD takes over your life. It will be worth it (I keep telling myself that anyway!)

Well, it is lovely to be included amongst you friendly bunch, thank you.

Hello Dan B, I am impressed by your literary skills!

I know I am relatively new but I have to say that I think Pea is great too.

Happy Birthday, hope you have a fab day.

Sorr Ann, I was not sure, I did not mean to say that BB would cause dulling, . I just worry about taking drugs sometimes (unnecessarily probably!) The GP idea is a good one, as you say they should be understanding and be able to help.

If you really want it and think you will use it then I don't think you are crazy. Crazy is such a subjective term anyway!

As for ILL I am not sure about repeat requests, I don't think so but then you have made a good case for requesting again. I would ask your library I think.

Hi Kronkondile

I am really sorry to hear that you are stressed right now. It must be tough having this 'hanging over your head' so to speak. I am not at your stage yet so I am not sure how helpful I can be.

I have never asked for betablockers but I know a friend of mine has done so many times for various stressful events and has found them useful. If I am honest, I am not sure as I would be worried about 'dulling' my response so I think the best thing is for you to be completely open with your GP and see what he/she says. I hope you have an understanding GP.

Have you thought about any alternatives? E.g. relaxation techniques, yoga, pilates, exercise etc? Whilst this won't take the stres away, it may help you feel better able to manage this in between time if that makes sense.

I have full admiration for you for having submitted, that is one hell of an achievement in my book.

Take care and calming vibes heading your way, you can do it!

Fluffymonster

I asked my supervisor this too! I was told not, although obviously a major rewrite would not be good.

If you have a good supervisor you should be ok (that's what people keep telling me anyway).

Congratulations.

Sorry to hear that Jojo, I think I would make an appt to discuss comments with yuor supervisor and decide what steps you can take to deepen your analysis etc.

Do you have a helpful/supportive supervisor?

Bazzab, sorry to hear that you are having difficulties also. Was your supervisor at the viva also? If so he/she must know what the points were so it would seem odd to change his/her mind about what needs changing. Hope you get it sorted.

Thanks Ann, that is really helpful actually as I had not really any thought of any positive aspects of having my supervisor present. I will have a rethink, thank you.

Sorry, I meant to add that the internal chair is a fellow academic if that is helpful.

Hiya

Well I have not had mine but have been looking at our policy as I am hoping to submit very soon. Our dept has recently introduced the internal chair person also but I am not sure what the remit is to be honest.

With regards to supervisors, they can be present (at my Uni) if you ask but they are obviously not allowed to say anything. It is certainly not practice that they are there though and I don't know of anyone who did have their supervisor present. I would not want it, it would make me even more nervous!

I am not sure that is much help but obviously my Uni is thinking along the same line as yours with the internal chair. I think it sounds a good idea to be honest. I have heard some horror stories and I suppose an additional person would be beneficial if a dispute occurred. The viva itself is not recorded at my Uni.