What do you mean by your sponsorship isn't direct? Is it that the MRC pays the money to the uni and then the uni pays you on their "payroll", as it were? Even if this is the case, you are still being sponsored by the MRC and it is up to them what to do.

Why can't you qualify for the government maternity allowance? That seems a bit bizarre... I'd suggest contacting your Citizens' Advice Bureau, it can't be that you are left without support, surely?

Loving this thread! One of mine said once said "I really don't think you are going to have time for a holiday"

I had just announced that hubby and I were going to Scotland for a week. Admittedly it was about 8 weeks before I was due to submit, but I was within schedule and we both really needed this holiday. I wouldn't have minded so much, but prior to me announcing my holiday she had just told me that she was going away for a whole month!

One rule for one, etc etc.....!

Hi there - firstly, what stage are you at? Are you near to submission? (The reason I ask is because my thesis changed emphasis about half way through and the examiners I would have thought to be appropriate then would ultimately not have been.) I also don't think the onus to choose an external should rest *completely* with you - supervisors should also be able to offer suggestions in addition to any ideas you might have. Do they have no ideas at all?

With regard to your other points, I would say probably not a good idea to choose someone whom you have heavily criticised in your work. However I don't think it's necessarily a faux pas to have someone whose work you haven't cited. As long as they are sympatico with your research methods (IE, if you have produced a qualitative analysis, don't choose a statistitian or vice versa), that is the key issue.

Going back to Sophie on "The Apprentice". what used to annoy me was the way they always applied her title in the captions whenever she spoke.

I'm not saying she shouldn't use it or anything - I use mine after all. It's more a criticism of the programme makers. I can't understand why her title was displayed and others weren't. They were all "John Smith" or whatever - not Mr/Ms. If you're going to give someone their title, why not everyone else? It seemed really odd to me

cont'd

View this as a positive experience - it's made you think about what you have done and realise the strengths on your work, which is great!
Rather than being excited about new work and other approaches, some academics feel threatened. Rather than encouraging a student they would instead denigrate others' work and stay stuck in their own, self-glorifying rut. Don't rise to it - it's your work, your supervisor is happy, she's just a pontificating ego

Hi there -

Sorry you're having to go through this now when you've obviously got a good body of work behind you. You sound very grounded and able to defend your methods. By contrast She sounds like an arrogant, egotistical 'mare. The important thing to remember here is that she is only a visiting academic. She is not a permanent member of your department, has no bearing on the execution of your research, the writing of your thesis or ultimately its examination. Had your supervisor not shown her your work she would be none the wiser. She may be prominent in her field, but in terms of relating to your experiences and influencing your PhD outcomes she is...NOTHING!

cont'd

Isn't it roughly 50% of people who drop out of doctoral study? If this happened in the UKs undergrad population, I'm sure there would be a political inquiry. But I think there an ideology that underpins postgrad work as "oh well, it's hard, that's par for the course."
If a PhD causes mental distresses though, these difficulties should be addressed by the academic system, rather than swept under the carpet as a "standard expectation of a doctorate".

I think there IS a culture (especially from supervisors) that views the PhD as a "rite of passage", an excercise that is treated as "oh, yes it's hard, but you know that's the nature of the beast, you just need to get on with it". I have heard several stories from others about mental health problems during a PhD. I suspect that prevalence is very high and cannot help but wonder how drop out rates link to this. We often read about other factors in drop out rates for PhDs, such as funding problems or part time study, but it's as though the mental health issues are hush hush.

Compsci, my heart goes out to you as I can completely identify with all the feelings you describe.

As others have said, you are NOT being a baby and most certainly not alone. While you may not feely it rtight now you are clearly a very strong, perceptuive person as youi have identified the changes within yourself and the reactions of those close to you.

I agree you should talk to your GP and/or counslling service. What's your relationship like with your supervisor? I think he/she should also know how you're feeling to give you the right support. PLease keep us informed and take care of yourself.

Interesting thread. As someone who suffered with depression/anxiety to the point of feeling suicidal in my 3rd year, I have wondered about the prevalence of mental health problems in PhD students. There is a good article in UK GRAD magazine...on page 7
http://www.grad.ac.uk/downloads/documents/Publications/GRADBritain%20issue%201%20FINAL.pdf

What really strikes me now I have been through it, is the abundance of statements that make claims about how you "should" feel about various stages of the PhD. Others have already mentioned about supervisors and "best years". I also found the period between submission and viva extremely difficult. It was tough having people say "congratulations" for submitting and assuming that I was relieved, when in actual fact I was in a really bad way. There are several resources that instruct you on the practicalities of doing a PhD, but very few on how to manage it emotionally. I'm seriously considering writing a book about it!

If they did insist on you amending the issue in question, I think you coudl quite reasonably request an extra week or two to get the corrections in.

If I were you I would make sure that your uni research student office is aware of this situation anyway - after all, they usually receive copies of the corrections from the examiners and are so thorough about these things they too will want to know exactly what it is you're required to do

Hi Fluffy

You're more diligent me - I don't think I looked at my thesis for up to a month afterwards! (well, I did go on a conference, trhen on holiday, then i was ill...)

Re. the corrections. You are absolutely right to query this. Corrections that are required should be verbally raised at the end of the viva. They should be made explicit and the internal examiner should also state that written confirmation of requirements will be sent to you.

If something was listed that was not indicated as a correction at the time, that MUST be queried as you have had no chance to assert your side of it - which is the whole point of a viva!

I know it means waiting for your internal to return, but do ask him/her. It could be somehting simple like then inserting a query point that they noted in the viva that you'd already defended - it does happen!

Otto, I felt exactly the same as you at the end of my 2nd year - really started doubting myself and thought about quitting.

My advice to you is DON'T.

Is there any flexibility for you to take some time off? I did, just a couple of weeks without having to think about it. It did the world of good. Also are you doing anything else? Working part time alongside it? It might me a good idea to look at what else you're doing work wise and see if you can streamline it a little to free up some time for more enjoyable stuff.

hang in there

Badhaircut, I'm sorry you're on such a downer. It's tough after a PhD. Have you thought about branching out of academia and looking for research jobs in the NHS? or perhaps approaching some of the mental health charities as your subject is psychology?

As for the discrepancy between the professional and academic doctorates, i know that with the DClinPsy there are far fewer places than there are for general academic PhDs. I think it's only about 1 in 5 applicants gets a place, they are extremely competitive and in short supply. Their funding is also dependent on the NHS as well and the rug can get pulled more sharply at any time. I know someone who got a place on one, then the NHS trust suspended the funding for the uni course. This was after my friend had given up her job and made arrangements to move there! So although the money may be more, there are other factors that are not so good.

LOL at Otto

Maybe you should investigate trying to establish a link between "binge drinking cattle and BSE!" with all those buzzwords some government agnecy would probably fund it!!