I don't want to gatecrash the happy hippo celebration, but perhaps you should start cutting timewasting activities. Such as replying to every single person who gave you advice individually. A simple "thank you everybody" has the same effect.

Good luck with your work. It's possible to do it within the time span, but you really need to pull yourself together and not get distracted.

I second that. But I want both Claire and Alex out, just because I don't like to see their faces any longer. Helen, don't like her either. And Lucinda, she was fine the last few weeks, but she's beginning to get on my nerves. That leaves Lee and Michael. But are they really capable of a 100k job?

Seems like Nadia is out there preparing a meal in the kitchen...

Was she alone in her office when you initiated contact?

Do you really want this to kick off or is it just the kick of the special situation?

Whatever you decide to do, think about two questions: 1. How will any further action affect your professionalism? Including your reputation. 2.How will any further action affect your PhD progress?

In no way am I supporter of neither ManU nor Chelsea, but I have a feeling that Ballack will nail it.

When does it start? I hope not at the same time as The apprentice

Hi Shani,

the only account I could open in the beginning was also a "Step" Account with NatWest. Later I found out that these accounts have negative impact on your credit history, i.e. it is hard to get a mortgage or loan if you have a Step account as these are ususally reserved for people who are not creditworthy or have loads of debts.

Ridiculous, if you ask me. On entering the country, being labelled as such is not very pleasant. Regardless of all the difficulties to even open such a Step account. But NatWest now finally agreed to change my account to a normal Savings account. Other banks like Lloyds TSB have declined my enquiries recently, the reason was my ownership of a Step account. So I closed down my Step account to be finally a normal person again...

Chris, you're in for an allnighter?

There is no difference. IMO literature survey is perhaps more commonly employed as a term in the USA, but I've read it in British journals as well.

I guess the major reason why I'm so surprised is the following. In the last few months of writing up, there is naturally progress and the student feels increasingly in control of the thesis and writing up process. But then, once it's all done, the feeling of control suddenly evaporates. This is the shock for me, really.

Hi Missspacey, I don't know why I expected relief. That was wrong. But what I certainly didn't expect was this increasing feeling of pressure, uncertainty and depression. After the bulk of the work is done, it is somehow weird to feel again like or even worse than in the first year. There will be feedback, of course, but who likes the fact that some examiners decide over your life or death. I'm exaggerating but it's a bit like living on death row for the next few months and then walking down the green mile to the examination venue.

Thanks Shani. You're right. It's still a long road to go. I anticipate a minimum of two to three months until submission. Then another two to three months until viva. Maybe the happiness will kick in once it's really over. It ain't over till it's over is what they say.

No,no. Unfortunately I haven't submitted yet. All I did was completing the thesis. Writing the final sentence, so to speak. But I think it's absolute rubbish. Very depressing.

Joke aside, don't talk to the other fellow. But learn from the incident and don't behave like an unprofessional idiot in the future. Imagine your little play time has been recorded on CCTV, then you're in real big trouble.

Not quite sure if I understood this correctly. You've been working with your PhD or sex mentor?

Little problem, the nightmare never ends. All these months I thought, okay, once the last sentence is put down on paper, a feeling of relief and happiness will suddenly kick in. Unfortunately, it didn't happen. Rather, a feeling of depression kicked in and the shocking thought of "is this good enough, up to standards or will it be rejected?". It feels worse than in the beginning because in the beginning there was hope. Now it's more a scary feeling of constantly asking myself "will I get away with this crap piece of work?". Months of uncertainty to come.