Heal's interesting here. I certainly know what you mean. I had my viva yesterday. It was very thorough, detailed and rigourous. At the end I hardly knew what to do. Despite passing, it didn't sink in until the following day. It sounds daft, but today I've noticed that I feel taller and more confident in myself. The viva certainly builds you up. Maybe that is part of the 'healing' process.

Your defense is exactly that. No examiner is going to expect an airtight thesis yet. They know the aim of the game. Your thesis will have strong and weak parts, so naturally they will ask you about the weak bits. If you prepare enough and give as good as you get, you may well surprise yourself. Just don't give up before the battle has begun!

Remember: research should raise further questions, areas for further investigation. It appears this is what your thesis has given rise to.

I'd agree with wide variation actually. I'm in the UK and for most people here in the North East it's been around 6 weeks. My viva was scheduled just over 1 month after submission. The summer does mess things up though. I know I've been very lucky not to have to wait until September.

I certainly agree. Keep going and try not to lose momentum. I submitted my thesis in June and have my Viva next week. I worked flat out right until the last possible minute. And still, I find that there are still mistakes (mainly typos) in it. If you've built up momentum then don't spoil it. After you submit, you can do all the going out and meeting stuff.

All the best and good luck for a successful submission!

Sorry to read this. It seems frustrating. I also agree with DanB. There's no reason why it should change after getting the PhD. For example, an academic job will require more of his time. I think it'd be good to know what stage he's at. If he's in writing up, then I'd say this is a very tough time. I'm writing up at the moment and I make sure I find enough time for my girlfriend, who is also a student. It's also a good to get away from the PhD for a bit. Even if this is just for a few hours. I'd strongly suggest telling him this, but don't expect things to change after getting the PhD. I wouldn't like to take second place to a thesis, and I don't think you should either.

Best of luck with this!

You'll struggle to find e-versions of articles from this year. Most libraries with SLA interests will have print versions, so ask the librarians.

The general consensus seems to be: don't freak out! As long as you are aware of the literature, then that's something. Just see it as something else that needs doing. It's not as if you haven't been reading in the first two years, and just because it's not written down with a heading CHAPTER, doesn't mean it's not there.

So, have a square of chocolate and don't berate yourself anymore!
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Hi all! I just wondered, when you hit the year 3 mark, do your supervisors suddenly become the biggest pain in the backside ever? Always nagging, moaning, and emailing? I just wondered if it's a general trend or just me.

As a native speaker of English, I won't be getting my thesis proof-read by somebody else. When it's actually finished... I have, however, proof-read other theses. I think it's probably useful if you're not a native speaker of English. Some supervisors recommend getting a proof-reader in. I think it's ultimately the individual's choice, though.

Basic distinction: language is mind-internal and dialect is mind-external.

Usually the same for me. I hate it when they try to be nice, by starting with: 'this is a really good piece of work' and then they start ripping it to pieces!

But, we usually go through the piece of work submitted, discuss the weak points and don't touch on the stronger bits! It usually follows this structurw, though.

to be more organised and less of a scatterbrain! I might try the first alarm one too!

That's really cool! I'm a bellringer too! lol! I've rung at Chesterfield Cathedral, but not much more in that area! I've been ringing for a few years - it's good to have something to remove you from the PhD world! hehe

Where do you ring bells? I mean in what city?

What are people's views on conference posters? It seems like the poster is the net before total rejection. Am I alone here, or just missing the point?!