Well the goal has already slipped by for me. Wondering if I can actually finish in 4!

I'm scared to take too much time off in case I lose my motivation, which generally happens when I have a break. But I know that I need the time to relax, so will hopefully work up until Christmas eve, and then enjoy the festivities! I would love a holiday - haven't been away since September last year :( Hope everyone's pre-Christmas work is going well.

Oh dear KB, so sorry to hear about your accident. You sound like you had a lucky escape! It must be terrible to be stuck at home - you have my sympathies! At least you'll be able to get a good amount of written work done in the meantime which will save a lot of stress when you're finishing up!

Look after yourself :-)

Oooh, I have 9 months and however many days left - yikes! Still have loads to do - although the write-up is well under way, I'm a chapter short and that work could take months. Feeling a lot more motivated this week, so trying to make the most of it while it lasts and cram in as many hours of work as possible. What's keeping me going is, as others have said, the knowledge that I can't (and don't want to) give up now, and also how satisfied I'll feel when I can finally submit a thesis that I can call my own.

Good luck to everyone else nearing the end!!

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Hi Teek
I'm also well into the scary world of job applications and interviews, and it's not a fun place to be! Although you've said the careers service isn't an option before your interview, I'd encourage you to go when you can - in my Uni they have an advisor specifically for postgrads, so you're not treated like some 18 year old undergrad with half a brain cell. They can also give you a mock interview to point out where you can improve in terms of your answers, body language etc.

Anyway, what I've learned so far is that you need to be able to give examples for the following:

-time when you've worked in a team. They might ask about leadership (how did you go about leading the group towards the goal), or a time when there was a conflict in the group - how did you persuade people to come round to your way of thinking?

-verbal communication skills. Think seminars during your PhD - great example for a time when you've explained a complex subject to an audience who might not have much knowledge of the area. Also assisting with undergrad teaching is another good example. Maybe you've had a part-time job involving customer service?

-working to deadlines. Again PhD is good. They might ask about a time when you've missed a deadline, and what you would do differently next time.

-time when you've had to analyse and solve a problem.

-time when you've had to juggle lots of tasks at once.

etc etc.

I've learned to give a range of examples, not just from the PhD, but from other interests, hobbies, clubs etc. - this shows you're a well-rounded person and don't sit in an office 24/7! And one major must do is learn as much about the company as possible - read their website, read up on the job you'll be doing. Also think about why you'd be good at the job - what qualities do you have that make you suitable? Finally, remember to have a couple of questions ready to ask at the end of the interview.

As you can probably tell, this is a subject that's never far from my mind! I wish you all the best!! :-)

Sounds lovely! A day off is always good, and a meal out is an added bonus! Enjoy!

Hmm...'the fiction of pop culture recapitulates the invention of power'. Wonder how I could incorporate that into my thesis?

Looks kind of empty in here - can I gatecrash? :)

I totally agree with Megara - I'm always hungry by about 11am, despite having muesli, fruit and sometimes toast for breakfast! I get a little unnerved by my rumbling stomach :) I find that tea helps, and often have oatcakes, maybe with houmous (!) or philly cream cheese - you can buy little individual tubs now. I kid myself by eating homemade cake thinking that it's healthier than shop-bought, but at least I know exactly what's in it!!

Great, hope you have a great time - you deserve it!!

Many congratulations Lara!! That's wonderful news :-) I hope the viva went well - looking forward to hearing all about it! Any celebrations planned?? 8-)

Did you have an advisor of studies while you were an undergrad? I'm sure they'll well used to writing references for students who've been away from uni for a few years. Even if a lecturer has moved, could you not find out where they've moved to and contact them there? After all, it's you they'll be writing about, so it doesn't really matter where they are - all that's important is that they taught you at some stage!

Being up at that insane hour should not be a reason to win :)

Yawn...I could just fall asleep on this victory chair... zzzzzzz ;-)

Aww, poor bug, hope you're feeling better. :)