BigTrombone, that's exactly how I felt with my viva outcome. It's exhausting to be given another mountain to climb just when you thought you'd reached the end. It can also knock your confidence to have someone pick at your years of hard work and find faults - that's the element I've struggled with most since I already felt like an academic imposter.

But the above advice is right. Focus on the fact you've passed, take a break and then start making lists.

Sorry to hear that, what a horrible thing to happen. It might not feel like it just now but it's a very good sign that your viva went well. This means that you understand what changes to make to the thesis and the next viva will go much better. Try not to look on it as a failure - there is more hard work ahead for you but you're a big step closer to a successful completion.

Not sure I understand the system of whatever country you are in. What is the purpose of the 1 week extension? When are you supposed to make the changes? A week is such a short time - why don't you want to wait until the last day to submit?

I would absolutely listen to your supervisor's advice. It's what they're for. He is trying to help you to pass - really, he's unlikely to be interested in making you suffer unnecessarily! You admit yourself that you know there are major conceptual holes, so why not try to make them right?

The alternative is to take a risk, which could pay off.

Good luck either way!

It can take a few attempts to understand what's required - it did for me. I would tell them that you would like to have another go at the literature review, and try to make it more critical this time. Then maybe seek some help with it - are there writing clinics at your uni?

I'd steer clear of mentioning what your old profs have said - academics sometimes have fragile egos and they might not like that you've sought a second opinion.

It's just that I think if I was in a position of hiring postdocs and I saw on a cover letter or elsewhere that an applicant had issues with their supervisor, unfortunately it would set alarm bells ringing that they might not be easy to work with. Unfair, I know. It's a difficult position to be in but at least now you're aware of what's happening and can change strategy.

I don't know the details of your situation and certainly wouldn't advocate lying to potential employers or doing anything that makes you uncomfortable, but if this person didn't provide any support and was your main supervisor in name only, I would question whether you need to include her as a referee if someone else was actually fulfilling that role. It really depends on your circumstances.

I would be hesitant to draw attention to the fact you're not using your main supervisor, unless asked. It may distract from the quality of your application and raise suspicion.

Do all the jobs you're applying for specify that your main supervisor should be a referee? I would start looking out for posts that don't, even if it means doing something less than ideal for a short period. You can use your second supervisor plus someone else at this point, and then your new boss thereafter.

I agree with what the others have said. Anyone who's made it this far is more than capable of dusting themselves down and doing a bit more work, although at times it might not feel like it. Just take a break first to recover and don't listen to any negativity from anyone.

Your corrections don't sound too bad, it's probably that they just can't be classed as "minor" - some institutions are very strict about what they'll let pass as minor. Rethinking the theoretical framework will take a bit of consideration but with the support of your supervisor it needn't take anything like 12 months. Once you have an idea of where you're going with that I'm sure everything else will fall into place. You'll get better papers out of it too. I know there are lots of negatives but there are a few positives - keep focusing on those! And know that lots of people have been in your situation.

I second Barramack's suggestion. I also find that listening to white noise through headphones helps me focus.

lindaaa, I feel sorry for you because I know the feeling very well. I think as Caro says it is a kind of anxiety or depression that causes such a big block and perhaps you need help with the emotional side of the PhD - I have found it a highly stressful process.

How much have you written? If, say, you managed to get a 1-year extension, do you think it would give you the space to feel more positive about it and start writing?

It just depends. It was nearly 3 months after submission that I had my viva, and I received the official notification of corrections after a further 6 weeks because of an administrative mess-up. In the meantime others have turned their PhDs around much more quickly.

I'd also be wary about banking on minor corrections. Many people do - and I certainly hope you are one of them - however it's not entirely within your control and in my opinion it's better to be mentally prepared for a tougher outcome.

Well done, GrumpyMule.

My tip for a social science PhD would be to keep your eye on the argument your thesis is making - keep reading and thinking while you’re finishing your research so that you’re clear about writing the remainder when the time comes.

It sounds as if you already have the motivation/perseverance to see it through. Good luck - and enjoy your final year!

I've been rubbish throughout at balancing PhD and social life, and now that I'm working full time as well I'm even worse. When I'm really focusing on the thesis at weekends I find even an afternoon coffee can totally disrupt my flow and throw me off track. Some friends are better at compartmentalising their lives and don't understand, which sometimes makes me feel guilty, sometimes annoyed, always stressed: it's not easy, juggling work and phd, and piling on guilt isn't helpful, which makes me wonder about their friendship.

Maybe the moderation team should be refreshed every so often to ensure it's being actively moderated. It doesn't make sense to have people running the place who are never here.

Agree with all - if finding a new blocking solution is going to take a while could we have more moderation in the meantime? I can see that it does happen (and thanks!) but the spam seems to be winning.