Thanks to those have responded, I really appreciate you taking the time to read this and empathise. This is really helpful to hear. I have made quite a detailed plan breaking down the work week by week. I still feel very daunted (and exhausted) by it but at least I can visually see that it is achievable. I do also have a therapist who is going to help me with accountability for each of the little milestones.

I'm still really struggling with personal anger and frustration at having to go through this process whilst working full time. There seems to be an assumption within academia that we're able to spend 6 months fully dedicated to the corrections. It would be so much easier if that were possible, but obviously like most people I've got bills to pay. I just feel very frustrated that this outcome essentially condemns me to dedicating the vast majority of my free time to the thesis (yet again!). Oh well, only a few months left of this I hope...

Hi all,

I was given major corrections (6 months) in July after a very long writing process. I ended up going part time on my PhD quite late in the day, and working almost full time, as I found the process of writing up so isolating and difficult. I constantly ran out of motivation to write, and was so relieved to have submitted. I know many people are in worse situations post-viva, but to receive majors (after a pretty humiliating viva...) was painful and very exhausting. I'm now full time in quite an intense job and am trying to complete the corrections at the weekends. I feel the whole process has been unsupportive and elements of the critique of my thesis seem not very constructive, and quite pedantic. Whenever I look at the list of corrections I feel down and lose confidence in myself and my writing. I have no energy to continue with this and am genuinely considering walking away from the whole process (and academia) for the sake of my own wellbeing. It will take me most weekends between now and Christmas to get this done - I just don't think I can cope with that. Has anyone had a similar experience?

Wishing everyone else trying to get through this process lots of luck!

This sounds like such a stressful situation to be in (although congrats on both completing the PhD and securing a job). I wouldn't risk losing out on the opportunity of the visa for the sake of being polite. Particularly if you're confident you've addressed all the corrections thoroughly. As someone else on the thread has said, you could ask your supervisors or a member of the admin team to politely reiterate the urgency of your case to the external. Also check your university guidelines for examiners - mine asks that examiners complete their checking of the corrections within 4 weeks. Good luck!!