My apologies, Sam72. It's a truly grim situation that you're in. Like I've said, you're supervisor was unprofessional and don't believe him when he says you're not talented enough to do a PhD - it doesn't take a genius. I wish I was able to offer better advice. You appear to have grounds for grievance procedures, so I'd get in touch with your Dean and make an official complaint using your universities complaints procedures. I'm not sure how far you'll get though. Best wishes.

I'd have to get a passport first. And I've never been to another country, apart from Wales (thought you had to change your currency) and Scotland.

You've been treated very unprofessionally and appear to have had a terrible supervisor. You appear to have named your supervisor in your post, so I'd like to recommend you remove it for the purposes of anonymity.

Sorry, Technerd, I had things on my mind (trying to submit my work on time...) when I was reading your post. Your chances of getting onto a Masters at a high ranking university are good. There's usually very little funding for Masters, so I can see why you'd have to pay, but honestly even with a 2.2 you shouldn't have any problems.

Since you won't be competing for funding, I'd say your chances of getting onto a PhD course are pretty good. Mind you, if you get a 2.1 and come across a funded PhD that matches your interests, I'd say apply for that as well because you'll still be in with a reasonable chance.

Well, yesterday was definitely the nadir of the movie - very little action - i.e. no progress. Today I've been working on the section numbers, have tidied up a couple of chapters and put those section numbers in. I have to finish the abstract tonight/this morning at the latest, and then get back into other little corrections.

Meh................

Thanks for the well wishes, everyone.

@ Pjlu - Who would play me if the movie rights are bought by Hollywood? Most likely someone frenetic and quirky, like Lee Evans. As for someone to represent my dodgy internet connection (the leading female role)...erm...cantankerous and unpredictable...I'll have to think about that one.

@Sneaks - I wouldn't feel sick about it at all. The difference is, you have a demanding supervisor who has side-tracked you with reams of additional work and I've just been left to focus on my PhD (more or less).

@Ady - Ha ha, I reckon it will most likely go straight to DVD and sit below such movie gems as 101 Dalmatians 2, Road Trip Beer Pong, Cruel Intentions 3 and Jefro Live.

@Cakeman - Thank you for the tips - I'll take them on board. The date to submit was chosen by my supervisors. They've arranged something with the Graduate Research Office and my viva is anticipated to be around 4 weeks after submission.

So in tonight's exciting instalment of 216 Hours, I've got all of the references properly sorted out. There was a tense moment when I couldn't find the correct date for some conference proceedings and you could cut the air with a knife at one point, when I couldn't correctly source a reference for one of my assertions. I'll start proofreading and checking over things early tomorrow.

Hi everyone. Unfortunately, this movie isn't as exciting as the movie directed by Danny Boyle, 127 hours. It's also substantially longer at exactly 216 hours, vs. Boyle's 90 minutes. There's also no stars in it - apart from the 5 that I own - just me. It's about the fact that I have exactly 9 days to get my thesis submitted, and there's such a lot still to do. The protagonist will be experiencing late nights, random attacks by Microsoft Word and an unpredicatable, fiery relationship with a dodgy internet connection.
It could prove to be an entertaining film, owing to the fact that it'll be written and directed (more or less daily) as I work towards the end goal. There'll almost certainly be a high speed car/bus chase, as I rush into uni to get the bugger printed off. I may also prove reminiscent of Jack Bauer in 24, as I experience stresses and strains minute-by-minute. I hope someone is kind enough to write a review on the excellent Film Review thread when they've finished 'watching' it, so roughly in around 216 hours.

Starting now...Boop...Beep...Boop....Beep!

Jojo, a belated well done from me as well. I'm a bit dissapointed with your, what I think, arrogant external examiner. It just goes to show what a subject process the viva is. Imagine if it had been someone else who was not a fan of your external's work? Best wishes.

I've typed up 30 pages of references today, leaving probably another 10 to do. Must relax and sleep now, then press on tomorrow...erm...later today.

It is tax free. The amount you see advertised is exactly what will end up in your account.

Well, it's just Harvard referencing, and there's plenty of guides online. This site will give you the full picture of what's involved: http://libweb.anglia.ac.uk/referencing/harvard.htm

Yeah, sorry, I meant citations. I did maintain an Endnote reference library, but the problem is it doesn't always save the references properly and not in the correct format. The worst references to do are for chapters in edited books!

Take it from someone who is now paying for their sloppy reference-keeping ways: KEEP ON TOP OF YOUR REFERENCES. Over Christmas, I've had to track down hundreds of the blighters and life would have been so much easier if I'd just have written them down as I went along. So, if you've got time to spare as you go along, dedicate it to maintaining your references.

Yeah, good luck from me as well, Jojo. I'm sure you'll be fine.