Certainly talk to your supervisor, he or she is the best to advice you. My PhD has group working elements, so I have to be in at office times. However, I know a person in my department who is from abroad and will skype his supervisor every month and come down to the UK once every 5 months. So it really depends on the type of PhD you are doing and what your supervisor and occasionally the department prefers. All the best :)

Hi all,

I was just wondering if you all have a rough plan/schedule for your PhDs. Do you have a plan such as you will complete literature review in X months, complete the methodology in X months etc etc? I understand that the plan has to be flexible and will probably be iterative, but did you actually start with a plan? If you didn't, do you think it is useful to set yourself deadlines, so that the PhD will complete on time?

Also, if there a rough PhD planner/schedule/calendar that you have come across, please do share.

Thanks all! :)

I would link in your past experience and knowledge too in the presentation, so that it shows you are capable of conducting the research, and well ground in the area. It would be a good idea to lightly reference too, just shows some academic rigour. Best of luck!

If I was you I'd let your supervisor know asap of the situtation, just in case she tries to pull it off her as her own work. I wouldn't share work with other students at the same level.

Hi,

I haven't started my PhD yet, so I can't give you advice based on direct experience, but I can say that firstly, congratulations, you are doing very well as you are way ahead of schedule and still enjoying it! How many people do you know that are even on schedule? not many, so well done to you!

Secondly, maybe you need a break, so that when you get back your motivation levels will increase? Take a week off, go away on holiday, do something fun and enjoyable, and keep away from anytype of work. Hopefully when you get back you'll feel better! :)

All the best!

I would say finish your PGCE first. It will come into use for lecturing at univeristies, and you can always fall back on it, if circumstances change.

Good luck! I hope you get a positive outcome :)

Thanks everyone for your valuable suggestions, I will chase them up! :)

Congratulations and a super well done! You deserve a big treat! :)

Dear all,

Do you have quite a formal or informal relationship with your supervisor? For example, would you start an email with 'hope you are well', or not?

Hi all,

Are there any books you would recommend me to read before I start my PhD in January?

Thanks! :)

Well as you are abroad, and only received one week notice, it is certainly not your fault. Maybe you should just apologise to the examiners explaining that you were abroad at the time, and were only given one weeks notice (or if you have their emails, just send them an email). I don't think the examiners would mind, would they?

You could also ask the secretary to explain the situation to them. If she knows she made a mistake, she may just admit it and apologise to them.