Hello all, well im liminalplace and im called Dee by my mates, currently 24 and in a humanities PhD based on spatial theory finishing my second year and panicking my way into my third.

Im a Leo (for those who ascribe to starsigns) Im not a fan of trout but am quite partial to salmon. I also have a very naughty pug against the advice of joan from 'writing your dissertation 15 minutes a day' but i got her before i read it.
Looking for fellow panickers and those with advice to dispense, I like to read all the threads even if i dont reply.

xxD

WOW guys you are doing so so well!
Well I'll log in my aims a bit late in the day cos I have only just had a chance to sit down.
I know 'write first'
Today I am going to be:
1. freewriting like a madman my conference paper to make sure I know what Im wanting to include and asking myself the questions I need to.
2.Do some freewriting on my second chapter to get a better idea how its going to fit into my thesis argument.
I'm thinking 5 pages before Im moving!!

Keep up the good work

Dawn xxxx

I feel that way all the time. Soemtimes its quite nice to stick our heads in the sand and destress by trying to forget about it.
I think if you are doing some research your best bet is to find out who the academics in your field are.Try and get on the mailing lists of some of the sites in your field. I am on a few in my field where a community of academics keep in touch with conference invites, paper calls and ask research questions they are needing advice on. U should try and see what there are in your field. Ask your supervisor on that one!

Well I always found conferences are very helpful. You don't need to be speaking at it. You can go along and if the people you want to speak to are talking you can use their papers as a way to break the ice, ask them a question after the panel. It can be a simple one but something to connect with them is always good.
If u dont fancy that just yet you can start by emailing them in advance of their speaking at a conference.
I would reccommend the conference approach though, its what most people are there for.
Its ok don't worry about it!

hi everyone!
I just bought this book a couple of days ago, can I join in your daily accountability forum?
I have a year left to submit. Do u guys think its too late for me to be freethinking chapters?

oh no whats up Olivia

Yeah, I think well done you firstly for doing so totally well, I wish I was in your position. I think a smallish word total a day which must be reached, and can be surpassed if you are filled with inspiration might be the most helpful thing.
Have you found it an easy process to keep writing?

Hello all, how are you all doing? Tearing the remaining folicles off your heads yet?
Well I have a year left...and only about 20,000 words (unrevised) written and Im not happy about that.

But heres the thing, where are you all at with your word counts?
One of my friends who finshed his PhD swears by 1000 words a day, he says the word count keeps rolling if you do that.

Are you where u want to be?

Thoughts or suggestions or rants all welcome, I love the communitas that goes on on the forum, finally some honesty away from the lies of the department!
So for someone who is bored of where 'ideally' she should be, could you give me the reality?

xx

thanks for that, im awful when it comes to showing anyone anything I have written, honestly it just strikes fear into my heart. I think its usually because I just reckon its rubbish lol.
I reckon I might have to take you advice and really let a few people hear it to comment and suggest. I find it a bit demoralising handing in stuff to my supervisor, cos although shes so kind she also is very honest and when u get it back covered in corrections etc well it takes me often quite a few days to look at it...sometimes I put it in my office drawer and continue with my other chapter.. I know head in sand...thats me

thanks bonzo really good piece of advice there. Will totally be taking ti on board. I suppose its my first major conference and im speaking second yikes!!!!

What to do after I leave! Well if my PhD doesn't kill every creative bone in my body or numb stone dead my interest in my topic then I'd like to lecture...
Does anyone know where the best place to find academic jobs in the UK and USA is?

Oh and what would you all like to do post doctoral?

oh I know, i have a fellow phd student who used to be a teaching member of staff in the department that they encouraged to do a PhD and honestly I just feel like im rbbish, he is doing quite a dull project with the aim i think of getting a council job that will pay him well, but he is always slagging off my supervisor or saying he didnt think many people applied (not true) or something u just cant believe him, yet I feel a bit ostracised because im not kind of already chummy with everyone.
But u know I get in there and do my own thing teach and keep my head down.
At the end of the day I dont plan on staying there after my PhD anyway so its no big loss.

xx

OH my gosh guys thank you so much for being so totally helpful and supportive. I know what u mean about the viva thing, the course was pretty good but pretty bloody scary and I think you are right Olivia it could be done in a much more productive way.
But in general I completely agree with you in more than one way! Absolutely I think breaking it done in the best thing I have started breaking my chapters into subheadings, its just getting the motivation to do something...anything... lol I'm currently hiding from my supervisor hoping she has forgotten about me...being summer and all.

By the way is any one else in the position where they have presented at an international conference its just I have to and I am completely cacking it!
Any tips???

xxx

I do have a plan yes. Its one I don't always stick to but I do have chapter breakdowns etc, which I think may have been more for my supervisor than me.
It is sort of an enormity of the task issue as sometimes I'm quite relaxed and others I'm just amazed at the detail and researching involved. Does that make any sort of sense?

I completed my BA(HONS)degree at 21 spent a year doing a research MA then started my PhD at 23, Will be finished just after turning 26 (hopefully)