hi guys,

It's been a while since I was last accountable for my work... but saying that I've got tons done since my last post on this thread!!

So, today, given that I'm full of cold and feel like poop (sorry, no better word to describe it), I will maybe at some point start on my final thesis chapter (8-) ), but will more than likely spend the rest of the day tinkering with my thesis document to make it pretty (I have some images from my resarch I want to put in, which means I'll have to re-do page numbers, etc). If I'm not dead by the time I finish that (dramatic, I know), then I will start final chapter.

13 weeks till my viva!! 7 weeks till submission.... Ahhhhh!!

I think writing style is a matter of personal opinion and i don't think you can fail based on it, unless you write really poorly using inappropriate language, grammar, etc throughout. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Hey Wally,

I think it's completely normal to feel this way, and chances are, any examiner which is appointed for you , you will find something they are a "genius" in and panic over that. I've been in the same position. I settled on my examiner in my first year, and as soon as she said yes a few weeks ago I've been panicking about the fact that her work is based within a theoretical paradigm I've not used at all in my work. I even had a mini panic attack and considered a complete re-write to include this theorist, just incase; but then realised I was being completely bonkers and I knew the reasons I hadn't gone with this theorist in the first place. It's really good that you're aware of your examiners strong points because it gives you more opportunity to prepare for anything that might come up. Look at it as an opportunity to shine!

If it makes you feel any better - I got my viva date last night and am in a state of complete... well... I don't know. Complete something, and that something is not good... back to the thesis....

It's lovely that your sister is letting you name on of her babies!!

Girls names I always find the hardest.. I think there are a lot more likeable boys names out there. I agree with Poppy, though. You don't want a name that everyone her age is going to have because it's popular. I'm all for the different, intriguing names. Don't go celeb though and name her after a fruit/vegetable/car/royalty.

An alternative is to find a more traditional name, and give it a twist. My niece is called Mai (said May), which is quite a traditional name, but the spelling is Japanese, which encapsulates what my brother and sister in law are all about. The Japanese meaning is also different to the traditional meaning, which I like.

Good luck with it though!!

Hey Caro,

I'm not sure what it's like in your subject area (im in social sciences), but my interview was quite relaxed really. I had to do a 15min presentation on how I would design my research project, then just had an informal chat/ interview with 2 of my supervisors where they asked questions to guage my interest and experience of the subject. It was not what I expected at all!

I'd agree with Teek on the smart dress!

Good luck!

I'm not 100% either to be honest. I've signed up... I think it's just a community for academics to share their research... you can upload papers and presentations and so on. Maybe a way of propmoting yourself and your research to others?

I dunno.

Like the title says...

I've not explored much on this site but apparently it's a facebook type thing for academics and researchers. you can look up projects to see what others are researching, etc. Might be worth a look if you're interested.

http://www.academia.edu/

Hi guys,

Thought I'd post a reflective piece... more just to conceptualise this whole PhD journey in my own head, but please feel free to post your own tales/ reflections/ comments.

I started my PhD 929 days ago (2years, 4months), and I'm currently about 2 months away from submitting. I'm excited, yet fearful. Excited, because I can finally see those 2 and a bit years worth of hard graft formulating into a readable, giant book, which will hopefully pave the way for a successful career in academia. Fearful, because I know I still have a ton of work to finish and of course have a viva to pass before I can begin the new chapter in my book of life.

Strangely, these two emotions are mixing together really well. I've been more productive in the last 2 month than I probably have been for the last 2 years. I've learnt more, understood my topic more and I think matured a lot more as well. I've realised my strengths and accepted my weakness' s. For the first time in my life, I feel ready to face the world, like I have something to contribute that's worthwhile. I feel happy... although slightly neurotic at the same time.

This neurosis is coming in the form of impending submission and viva nerves. I find myself doing everyday chores, but in my head I am constantly asking myself hypothetical questions relating to my research, which might come up in the viva. I'm formulating answers to questions that have never been asked, and tweaking paragraphs in my thesis which I previously thought were watertight. And I suppose this all just forms a part of the journey.

All I can say, though, is that I'm looking forward to this journey coming to an end, but in many ways I want to stay on the ride. Looking for a job is possibly the biggest anti-climax I've faced. Application writing and the never-ending search for "that perfect post" remove any satisfaction for a job well done. But I suppose this is what's to be expected.

These next two months are going to be emotionally, mentally, and physically challenging.... but I say, bring it on! Here's to the last 929 days of my life! :-)

Bringing the conversation back to geekiness... I am a geek. I know I'm a geek and I'm not ashamed of it in the slightest. In fact I'm a proud geek. But I'm also the coolest geek I know 8-)

I am, however, not a nerd.

It's "a majority of girls do" :-)

That does make sense.

Y'see I was under the impression that all living cells needed a nucleus, and this is where I was baffled. If there are life forms that survive with no nucleus then I suppose it's wholly probable that we evolved from this type of life form!

Thanks for clearing that up for me! I was on the verge of declaring the existence of a "higher power" who may or may not have carefully placed adam and eve in a beautiful garden including sacred apple tree, and a serpent for good measure. ;-)

I went to see avatar over the weekend and was impressed. I thought it was going to be a load of rubbish but was actually pretty good!

Right, I'm hoping there's some anthropological/ science/ evolution genius out there who can answer a question for me.

I spent hours last night/ this morning "discussing" evolution with my partner. The basis of this discussion stemmed from the fact that while I understand evolution and I believe that's how we all came to be, what I can't understand is where exactly we all came from.

As far as I know, after the "Big Bang" the earth was created and there were a bunch of volcanoes which gradually gave birth to our atmosphere, which resulted in a world where life could survive... then there's a big gap, and suddenly from volcanoes and atmosphere we have single celled organisms which later evolved into sea life, which eventually evolved into air-breathing land life, and so on until you get human life. But, where did those single celled organisms come from? They can't just have appeared from nowhere. Volcanoes... and suddenly you have life? Am I missing something?

I'd like to point out that the last time I studied evolution was at GCSE level and as such I may just be having a major memory lapse, but if someone could explain this to me I'd be extremely appreciative.

Where did life come from? How did it come to be? Big questions I know...

Wow... I'm impressed. Kudos to you for going for a haircut and meeting friends before your viva!! I think I'd probably spend the whole day locked away, rocking in a corner and, to be frank, s**ting myself. Fingers crossed it's a morning one for me.

I've set the *provisional* date of my viva and am already feeling somewaht panicked. I think that's probably because of the sheer amount I still have left to do though!

Anyway, good luck! I hope you come out successful, and I'm sure your new hair-do will look fab!!

Hey,

Not entirely sure what you're asking here. Can you give some more information.

Also, not to sound rude, but the "text speak" (dropping vowels, etc) makes what you're saying a little hard to read...