ha, ha - this is great Keenbean!
As for my sups, one is laid back that I can't think of anything that would wind him up.. and the other one.. well, I think hip hop & rap music wind him up, but also (in a not so funny way) anything I do and he disagrees with. Alternatively if he tells me to do something and I don't jump and say "thank you for giving me orders", and basically take some time to do it, yeah, that winds him up...I suppose we both like getting our own way (but then who doesnt:p)

Hurray - celebrations!
Yes, doom and gloom for the other threads, but here - only joyful singing and dancing (a la walminski) allowed..
We soon will all be finished, today's task, tomorrow's task - and then the whole PhD!(up)

Hey guys. I have just written my title page, put together some other required pages (copyright and stuff) and my acknowledgements - wuhaa.. it feels amazing, could I really submit by the end of the month?! I definitely think so (now), but hey, there are still some crinkles to iron out in my chapters... so, we'll see. It's kind of strange writing this stuff, it just means, it is all really coming to an end soon.. it is sort of unreal, especially as this aim of finishing the thesis seemed so elusive over the last months/years.. Don't get me wrong, I am looking forward to submitting and being finished (and it's not over yet anyway), but there is a whiff of nostalgia around me now- like as if I was already thinking back on the "good old PhD days".. ha, how crazy is that?!
Anyway, I hope you are all on track too, keep it up guys, till the end (sprout)
and the end is near!

Excellent, well done, Yellowtreble!(sprout)

Oh, yes - "rock solid 100% understanding of techniques used" - pah, I feel I know nothing. Okay, not nothing, but not much.. it is shameful, but then, three years (and a half) are not enough to learn everything about everything.. I have just finished my first draft of the overall thesis conclusions chapter, and whilst I re-read it, I thought to myself, just how lame my arguments were, just how weak and floppy my points and conclusions. It is terrible.. but to be fair, there are a few thesis I have read with equally wishy-washy conclusions, just like mine, such as "detection techniques of compound x could be improved" and "more research required". Huhu, I could cry. Is that really the conclusion of alll these years of work?(sprout)

I'd go with the supervisor if your relationship/communication with him/her is good and things generally work well. I'd say uni reputation can be important (after the PhD), but really whilst you are doing it, key support comes from the supervisor, so I'd recommend moving with sup.(sprout)

Yes, Yoga is good and the stretches and holds are a great way to experience your body's limits. It definitely will give you a rosy cheek and make you feel toned, healthy and happy BUT I dont think it's the fast way forward if you want to lose a few pounds (my own experience).

I dont know why I am giving "advice" on this thread, I have not done exercise in ages - putting it off until submission... oh dear.
(sprout)

I have not done this, so cannot speak from 1st hand experience, but I know a few people who have supervisors in two departments. Changing departments officially seems like a lot of hassle to me, and maybe you dont need to "change" departments, but just change the way you work, i.e. if you feel you are better off engaging primarily with the History people, why not just do it. (Change offices/buildings etc). Okay, you still have your main sup in English dep, and you can keep it that way, but basically just keep him/her informed of what you are doing, and having the main interaction with your history sup, for as long as it is useful for your research. My experience from having two sups is that it does not matter a lot who is first/second, but the key is that they are available to help you with your work. So, upshot from my post - if you can work around it (and your sups/departments are happy with that), just leave it as is (as it might be more bureaucratic hassle than it's worth).

Hi Sneaks
I cannot remember/dont know which field you are working in, but would it be possible for you to do some freelance work? Could you e.g. be writing articles for print or online media or similar? Or some kind of consultancy work?
I am not exactly in the same boat, as I will (most probably) have a job at uni initally, but I have wondered what other things I could do. I know, the whole freelance thing sounds daunting, but it could be more rewarding than checkouts etc.. Alternatively, could you try and get a fellowship to do more research..? Fellowships tend to be like gold dust, but one can but try, I'd say..
Sorry, I have no real good ideas, but since you still have some months of phd-ing, you can start on those (fellowship?) applications....
All the best,(sprout)

Hey guys, just wanted to share the latest news - I have got a viva date at the end of May! I have not even submitted yet, but I am still on course for end of March. And I know who my external is going to be, which is good. Gosh, it does make it super real now that this is all coming to an end! Plus, I have started on my Conclusions chapter (although I will have to go back to some of the other chapters still) which makes the whole thing come together and it is amazing how it's all speeding up to this final point of submission! And still, I must not lose focus and attention now, still a bit to do... Let's keep it all going - the last stretch...(sprout)

Hi guys,
I have a ask-the-audience-style query about referencing a figure I have taken from a textbook: Basically I am including a figure in my introduction which is coming from textbook B. However in textbook B, the figure is referenced as "adapted from textbook A". (The reason for using the textbook B version is that it is clearer, better quality and version than the original in textbook A). Now which textbook should I quote?

A) The original textbook A
B) The textbook B, where I have made the copy from
C) Both, i.e. say from textbook B which is adapated version of A

Thanks.

Hi Sue, it does sound like a difficult situation you are in at the moment (especially those "PhD shouldn't hurt" comments are immensly infuriating, it is -arghh!).. and I might not really appreciate your situation, but from the way you describe your job options, maybe it is helpful to see things with a longer view. What I mean is that, yes, in an ideal world you start off with a good, suitable, exciting job straight after the PhD, and there is an argument to wait for that job to come along (or to make happen it via a fellowship or so, if that is possible), BUT if this situation does not materialise, maybe accepting a job less ideal is okay- for the short term (not longer than 2 years I'd say). If you can get this job where you have relevant knowledge, but maybe you wont be fully appreciated, "just" take it as a stepping stone and dont get too hung up about the fact that there are some tossers you have to work with. Then, once you have the job, you can start thinking longer term and work towards getting the job you really want. I dont know whether that makes sense to you/is applicable to your situation/career choice, but I know for myself, that I will take up a job for a year or so, which is in a field that is not close to my heart and which I dont want to work in longer term, but it is a pragmatic decision, and once the thesis is submitted (and stress levels lowered hopefully!), I will start working on making my longer term plan work, and end up in an area that really enthuses me..
Anyway, all I hope is that things work out for you.. PhD and job-wise..
(sprout)

Thanks, that's great. You are right, it'll be appropriate as a kind of pilot study towards the end, close to overall disucssion/conclusions/further work and talk of caveats..
I indeed had it last initially, but then became overwhelmed with doubt... but I am happy now putting it last.
Thank you! (sprout)

======= Date Modified 17 45 2010 15:45:36 =======
Hi everyone.

I am just working on my introduction and have come to the bit where I list the objectives of the thesis and give a one/two sentence outline of the chapters, making it clear how it works together as one.

Now, I have a problem - I have one chapter that is separate from the others as I have used a different measurement technique, and it's all lab-based, rather than field-based as for the other chapters. The results are not terribly good/amazing and the chapter is ok, but not that great, and I wonder whether to have it as the first main chapter or last main chapter (before conclusions). In terms of the viva, I dont mind talking a bit about the work, but do not want it to appear as a key element of the overall thesis - so in order to "play down" the importance of this "outlying" chapter, where shall I put in the thesis? First or last?

Anyone, please? I need help, seriously, I can't work this out... (and no, I do not want to ask my supervisors, they don't really care, I think)


thanks!:-x

I would go with "Dear". If during the meeting you addressed him by Bob, then write "Dear Bob". If you actually did not address him by name, I would go with "Dear Bob Smith" (or Prof Smith).