i would say that if you are not doing anything else other  writing up then you are most likely to finish, but if not then you may not be able to. I am discovering that each time i schedule to produce section / subsection in a given period of time, it always takes more time than anticipated  for a number of reasons. sometimes i run out of steam and i just can't write, but then at times its about the nature of what i am writing- which may require extra focus. i say this because i hate all the theoretical stuff and i usually find it takes longer for me to engage with it. As it is, i am left with 6 months before submission and i am beginning to feel the extra pressure big time. good luck(up)

Many thanks folks, will be googling all your suggested sites! Will keep you posted on the winning site. Anymore Recos, please bring them on!!

Thanks C. I have been to the lake district before, its beautiful... and yes, it also rained cats and dogs the whole weekend. Keen to try some other place I haven't been....if not i might just find my way back there.

Hi Guys. I am longing for a one week break from my thesis and i am planning to go camping for a week, has anyone gone camping to a wonderful serene place which they would love to recommend to a Phdier suffering from fatigue and weary to the bone?? Any place between UK and Switzerland will do. I really do need a break otherwise my brain is going to go kaput.
thanks in advance

Hi all

Am in the final month of my 3rd year - soon entering -the 4th for writing up. My greatest fear is not being able to finish on time.... clearing out things from my mind and warning friends i will be missing in action for the whole year. (up)

I hear you Olivia. As it is i have been busy scrolling on gumtree for alternatives. I live in a house share and my house mates are really getting in the way of my concentration. It's not so much about noise, its relatively quiet, its just the mess in the bathroom and kitchen! I have a whole year of writing up and i am wondering if i can manage it living in my current house... just too stressful... prob is -rent money is limited, am considering working a few more hours so that i can get a studio of my own... well something like that. good luck with your search.

I am so sorry for your loss, as one dealing with the tragic & sudden loss of my aunt and uncle, I too have been struggling lately. I am trying to focus on the wonderful time we had together and simply learning to say goodbye.

gosh, this is the 3rd time i am trying to respond, I have been having problems, each time i try posting, the post disappears. something sinister in the state of Denmark. Anyway thank you all for your responses. A couple of questions- A116 & Peppes, the digital recorder that you are  both referring to - the one which can be hooked on to the phone when having the interviews for recording - what is it called? am rather taken by the idea of it. Excuse my ignorance, been living in ancient times. For the other interviews i used the cassette Dictaphone more like what Heiffer used, it worked ok though background noises were a pain.  Back to the digital recorder, let me get this right : i can upload my interviews on to the computer... never mind the lingo???? Sneaks, thanks for the link will follow it through. By the way A116; transcription pedals, what's that??

thanks in advance folks.

Hi folks, just a quick one - has anyone ever done recorded telephone interviews with individual participants? if yes how did it go? I have already done my field work using qualitative methods, analysed the findings etc - but there are a couple of gaps i need to fill in terms of information, hence the idea of telephone interviews. I am not in a position to travel to Africa where I did the original field work -question of money and time. All i need to do are short individual interviews, less than 40 minutes with no more than 8 people.
Any words of wisdom? I am more concerned about the recording bit, how doable is it? Many thanks in advance.

I will ask one more time ........ which names are we going by???? 404 airport style sounds good for the first two seconds!

Very exciting indeed, just can't get to bed yet- am crossing my fingers for Obama, my american friends are all for Obama.(up)

Hi folks! Been wondering if we are still on... and what names are we going by??? Checked my inbox - 0 messages.

I can certainly identify with isolation, it can be depressing and unrelenting. I have gotten myself in all sorts to overcome this, visits to galleries, museums, book readings etc. it certainly helps to have at least one buddy doing a PhD, i used to have one... now however lost.

Am also just buried under, writing up and chasing missing data. Don't even want to worry myself about what will happen when I finish as this just consume my energies. To be honest am not really sure, currently don't have a blue print though i have some idea of where i would like to see myself. I have inklings for think tanks, I have been teaching during this PhD and am not sure i would still what to do it when i finish. Will see, first things first, this MOUNTAIN has to move!

where????