A message to many friends out there: please don't give up!!!! Take some time off the thesis if you like, but please don't give up. Doing a PhD is a tremendous time-consuming process - naturally, sh*t will happen. Keep going, try! Try, because if you don't try, then you have zero chance to succeed. But if you try, then you get a chance to make a dream come true. Pineapple, and all of you, thank you for being 'there' for me. I wish you all best of luck!

I don't know what the result will be, but I am very proud of what I have achieved already. I am now looking forward to the future.
I don't know what I am doing next. Obviously, my health is a priority, but potentially I would love to have a 'proper' full time job, and I am discussing a post-doc too. It all depends on the examiners, I suppose.

Hi there. It all went smoothly. I had to resubmit now, as the university could not give me any more extensions on medical ground; but I received plenty of support from the department and the health services of my university (including special counseling) and I managed to do all revisions in time - and even took an extra week to read through the thesis over an over again. I have been taking anxiety medication. Therefore, I did the revisions mostly 'stress-free'. I only got stressed the night before resubmission, but that's only natural.

Dear all. Do you remember me? Today I resubmited my thesis, after having done the corrections requested by my examiners (I really really hope they like them). My viva was in the end of 2011. I just took ages to resubmit because of serious mental health issues. I cross my fingers that this is going to be the end of the nightmare and that I will be Dr Marasp soon. I will keep you informed.

I sympathize. I too have to resubmit, but I am getting there. My supervisor is happy with my progress and I can see that my thesis looks much better now. I am also discussing a post-doc. So I am looking forward to getting done with the thesis. Moral f the story: yes, it will take extra time but nothing is stopping you from getting what you want in life. Don't give up! You are getting there. x

I feel for you Wowzers, because I am also struggling to find time to exercise.I recently started using one of the free calorie counting websites. I have marked my lifestyle as 'sedentary to light exercise' and count calories for everything I eat. I don't know if that might help you or anyone else in a similar situation, but at least I am trying to control the problem. Thank you for your encouragement Incognito.

I have studied law, but my PhD combines law and sociology (50%-50%) and deals with the human rights of minorities in England.

Confession: I have put on 30 kilos (4.7 stone) since I started the PhD and I now have a BMI of 36. Don't worry, I know I am fat, but how did I let this happen?. My sedentary lifestyle doesn't help, I spend too much time in front of the computer working on the thesis. Stress means that I overeat - but this is not an excuse. My doctor sent me to see a dietician, as he thinks that my extra weight affects my health (true story, some of you may remember my recent posts about my bad health). I now diet and I have started seeing the first positive results. I have also made time to swim at the local swimming pool. I go there every day, swimming for at least half an hour a day, no matter what. At least confessing that I have a problem is better than pretending the problem doesn't exist.

For those who are wondering I am getting a long extension. The new resubmission date is early next year. It has to be done, as I am psychologically and mentally fragile and I do not respond well to treatment. BUT I AM NOT GIVING UP!

Actually, Phill, I have not resubmitted yet, due to 2 extensions, both due to life difficulties.

But I will do beginning of next year.

Thank you Nick. Thank you for your kind comments and I understand the points you are raising. I am determined to finish the course because even though I have ruined my health I can see the finishing line - I was brushing up my conclusions when my health deteriorated. If that incident had happened on year 2-3 maybe I would think twice. It's a pity to stop now.

The PhD is a mental and emotional roller coaster that may consume several years of our life. Day and night! We even dream of our thesis! Academia is the same. The constant need to maintain a strong academic presence, the terrible academic bulling, the publish or perish... the, the, the... I see other people in my age, they come back from their 9-5 work, they do their hobbies, they have a personal life, they go out, they meet their friends, they have families. I don't say they are happy, but they certainly look happier than some of us. To put it straight, they look happier and have achieved more in life than myself.

An update: doctor gave me blood tests, prescribed me sleeping and anti-stress pills, and he is writing a sick note for the university. With my application for an extension I will provide the sick note from the ambulance / hospital and the doctor's sick note. The doctor is also sending me for counselling, so I manage my stress levels.

For job interviews, do you put the name of your supervisor down as a referee without asking him? Or you inform him first and then put his name down?

I think that putting his name down without letting him know would be a bit naughty.


But, if you apply for jobs very often, do you bombard your supervisor with emails, telling him 'I have applied for this and that and I have put you down as a referee'?

From early next year I will start applying for jobs and I need to know how this system works.

Thanks in advance

Thank you for the kind wishes. Yes, I don't think academia is for me after all. But since I am getting there, I am determined to do my best to finish the course. I have decided not to work in academia after I complete my PhD (crossing fingers). Hopefully I will be working in the law industry after that (again crossing fingers). Simply put, working in academia would kill me. We need to prioritize in life and health should be our number one priority. Dr Jeck, your experience sounds very terrifying... I am pretty sure that my doctor will send me for further tests. I knew that there was something wrong with me but I ignored the signs. Wrong!

Hi Bilbo

Yes, an ambulance picked me up. It was a very scary experience. I was drinking coffee with friends and all suddenly I went completely unconscious. My friends say that I was unconscious for at least 2 minutes. Paramedics came round, gave me first aid (needless to say I got sick and embarrassed myself even more) and took me to the hospital, but I did not stay overnight. They wanted to keep me there but I signed a paper to go home. The paramedics of the ambulance also gave me a sick note stating what happened, and I am also seeing the doctor soon, so that I get some treatment and they send me for counselling. I am currently doing nothing, trying to get as much sleep as possible, as the hospital doctor recommended. I feel guilty for not working. How stubborn am I! I will have to discuss my options with my doctor and then with my supervisor.

All I am saying is that long working hours and in fact, the commitment of a PhD, aren't for everyone. PhDs should come with a health warning.

Two months before resubmission and I am experiencing poor health. Yesterday I collapsed. I fainted in a coffee shop and I was in such a mess that the ambulance came to pick me up. Most likely the reason of fainting was fatigue (to the point I raise temperature), lack of sleep and plenty of stress (due to stress I suffer from insomnia). The A&E doctor asked me to see my doctor for an evaluation of the problem and to get proper treatment and possibly stress management counselling. I have booked an appointment but I am afraid that the doctor will ask me to switch off or work fewer hours (which means that I have to apply for an extension) - and I really want to get done with the PhD as soon as possible. I am so close, yet so far.