I wouldn't bother trying to sandwich it in. I used it because it relates to a technique I used, where I used 'a priori' codes before analysing qualitative data.

see, I've put a little page marker for each chapter - as I've heard otherwise you can fumble and get panicked if trying to find a chapter section. But I can't think of the life of me what I'd put on post it notes

Well I'm writing out questions (With bullet point answers) for each chapter - each chapter will have 2-3 a4 pages, which I'll prob print 2-to-a-side and hopefully take in with me in case my mind goes completely blank!

Are you allowed to take notes in that aren't in your thesis?

I.e. a few a4 pages of notes separately?

hmm, I usually stress eat, which is rubbish. Would be great if I could lose a stone with viva-worry, I mean if I'm going to worry anyway, then why not lose weight too?

the 'feel a little bit sick' feeling, its not going to go until the actual viva?

done the student feedback. I should really try and do a bit of marking tonight.

hmm marking or viva prep????

maybe marking as can't concentrate very well tonight as will have hubster annoying me

oh dear - I've finished goal 1 but its taken ages. I've also only got up to the result section in my publication and its already over 6k words which is the total limit :-s

ANyway, will move onto one of the others - will check the students work I think.

I would imagine that your sup is actually trying to be supportive by not pressuring you with deadlines. He's doing what any other boss would do in a normal organisation - stepping back and allowing you some time. Don't think of it as 'neglecting'.

I'd have a chat with him and ask him for some goals to get you back on track.

Either that or ask to take a gap year or something to recover.

ok, so I've submitted but I still have so much work to do and I clearly need some kind of goal, so things to do today:

Make a dent in pile of marking, start viva prep, read through intro of publication and tweak, try and force myself to do a page of admin stuff, read through a student's work.

Goal 1: Read through intro of publication and tweak.

personally I think providing a PhD by publication i.e. 3 good quality journal articles should be the new standard, as then its peer reviewed and you have practiced actually being a researcher, like you will for the rest of an academic career. I'll NEVER write a thesis again (Please please I don't want to!!!)

Ah my hubs did a presentation in his - I liked that cos it breaks the ice and also uses up time! BUt sup hasn't discussed my viva at all with me, so not really sure what she expects.

Thanks for the links!

ooh do you have links for those?

I'm at the point now where I am just raging at the process -moaning about the lack of structure/fairness/consistency of vivas in general.

I'm sure this will pass and I'll eventually get on with some prep.

I am writing up a journal article, well 2 actually (deadline 7 days before my viva), so that is kind of prep too isn't it????

yep mine's less than a month away and I haven't started prep yet - probably will tonight. :$

I've got an awful memory though, so any sooner and I'd have had to do it all again anyway.

*dreams about nobel prize winnings*