Piglet - I was not suggesting that our system is superior to any other system, but saying that after all the hard work and various upgrades etc. over the 3/4 years, a viva is, for me at least, an excellent way to culminate all the effort. Over here, there is no other opportunity to get two academics of such standard to sit down and focus solely on your work for a couple of hours. Okay, we give conference papers (can't guarantee the audience) and write articles for peer-reviewed journals (anonymous). I have heard the viva described as the initiation into academia!

how interesting. Not sure whether I prefer the UK viva system or the Australian seminars and internal meetings. Personally I think the viva system here - however scary - is a good thing. A couple of hours to discuss the work we have slaving, crying and laughing over for 3/4 years - what a great way to finish. If you have written your thesis, you will know your research so I think once the nerves subside the viva will be a great opportunity to chat over your research with two academics. Scary, challenging, nerve-wracking - yes! But rewarding, exciting and brilliant - sounds like a PhD to me!

IF there is no VIVA...how are you examined?

Hi Piglet, no problem. Motivation is such a fickle state of mind! I think honesty is the best policy when it comes to PhD research. Honesty with yourself and with your supervisors. I would advise keeping something back from your colleagues as stressing over where you are in relation to your peers can be very de-motivational. I have just handed in a draft chapter and hope to have my lit review and intro drafted by end of Nov. Be realistic and don;t beat yourself up. Go for it! We have come this far...

No panic attack necessary - although recognising that this meeting could set the tone for the rest of your PhD supervisions is important. Relax and be realistic. Don't promise too much early on - if you do more then it is a bonus. This is not meant to be a negative comment, rather a word from someone almost completing, who knows the tremendous value of a supportive supervisor-phd student relationship. Good luck!

I would suggest either just attending and getting a feel for what these sorts of conference are about - for example, an opportunity to ease yourself in and listen to some other papers in your field, or present an introduction to your work to get comments on ways to proceed and potential literatures - say you are a first year. Look back on your original proposal and perhaps draw together a bit of general background and then set out the aims of your thesis, with a short reflection on the archives/data sets you will be using. Do not put too much pressure on yourself too early on. I think sometimes people expect us to hit the ground running, when actually taking your time (because time is something we have - 3years) and enjoying the first year is just as helpful. Do go to the conference though - postgrad conferences are great for networking and motivation.

Congratulations - this is brilliant news. A great start to the PhD.

Couldn't DanB just come back as new user - dannyb perhaps?

However DanB made a gracious apology to Tricky and matters were settled amicably. Hillyg however wondered why people would want to spend their whole lives in the academic bubble and whether becoming a holiday rep was an option for a Dr (PhD of course).

Hi. Totally see you situation. First off I would put together a document of everything you know and have so far. This will be something productive. Then arrange your meetings. I suggest emailing both at the same time being firm and getting them to put their diaries together. Then think of a list of question. They can be as easy/obscure etc. as you like - as long as they meet what you want to know. At this point find out where you have office space etc. etc. and move in - make it a space you want to work in. I suggest in this instance GET BUSY! This is not a criticism - far from it. Words of encouragment - as Sylvester points out say "yes" to everything (within reason of course). Chin up! You are not alone!!!!!

Not sure...imagine 21 hours or something. could fly via LA and break the trip. Right I am off into town to post off my "intention to submit" forms...SCARY or what! Have fun looking through the holiday websites. "elegant hotels" is a good one!

Maldives...very nice

Ah have been there - cool - you will know what I mean then. My friends went to Canada for their honeymoon. Said it was amazing. Spent time in Toronto, then went to Niagra and the on to some of the smaller lakes - really romantic. Honeymoons - I would probably go for somewhere like Tahiti - although this big money - but you can go to places like bora bora i think...I am a geographer I should know. Probably cheap when you get there. Or Hawaii...interesting again.

H - we went to Egypt in May. Not for a honeymoon, but I can definitely say it is a romantic place, there are pools and beaches, cruise on the Nile and visit the pyramids, temples and Valley of the Kings. What do you think?

Well done...Congratulations...Good Luck...Cheers!!!