About to submit on PostgraduateForum.com

Mull
7 years ago

Hi, I'm a PhD student in a UK university doing chemistry and submitting my thesis this week, I'm at the end of my third year. First time posting here, didn't know things like this existed (wish I did during my first year) and was just after some advice I guess.

I have an incredibly optimistic supervisor, who only once "was disappointed in me" which was worse than any scolding I've ever received. Anyway he has been helpful during the writing process, reading each chapter and giving me corrections and has seen 2 full drafts in total. About a month ago he said in an email "It is much improved on previous versions and even if you did nothing more, would be worth submitting for examination." along with some suggestions.

My only issues I suppose are mental at this stage, I feel like a fraud and that I've only begun to learn things about my subject I should have learned two years ago. I am slightly dreading the viva, that they will ask me something I should know and it'll become apparent. It's awkward to talk to anyone about this kind of stuff and if I ever begin to bring things up of this vein to my sup he makes points like half of my thesis is published, it's an adequate length for the subject (26,000 words) etc.

Sorry for the wall of text but have any of you had these last moment doubts? I feel so close to finishing but every time I read my final draft I start to get a headache and hate it. I'm starting a new (non academia) job in a couple of weeks too which hasn't helped.

Thanks for reading this even if you don't have anything to say.

Mull

P

pm133
7 years ago

Quote From Mull:
Hi, I'm a PhD student in a UK university doing chemistry and submitting my thesis this week, I'm at the end of my third year. First time posting here, didn't know things like this existed (wish I did during my first year) and was just after some advice I guess.

I have an incredibly optimistic supervisor, who only once "was disappointed in me" which was worse than any scolding I've ever received. Anyway he has been helpful during the writing process, reading each chapter and giving me corrections and has seen 2 full drafts in total. About a month ago he said in an email "It is much improved on previous versions and even if you did nothing more, would be worth submitting for examination." along with some suggestions.

My only issues I suppose are mental at this stage, I feel like a fraud and that I've only begun to learn things about my subject I should have learned two years ago. I am slightly dreading the viva, that they will ask me something I should know and it'll become apparent. It's awkward to talk to anyone about this kind of stuff and if I ever begin to bring things up of this vein to my sup he makes points like half of my thesis is published, it's an adequate length for the subject (26,000 words) etc.

Sorry for the wall of text but have any of you had these last moment doubts? I feel so close to finishing but every time I read my final draft I start to get a headache and hate it. I'm starting a new (non academia) job in a couple of weeks too which hasn't helped.

Thanks for reading this even if you don't have anything to say.

Mull

Yeah I did Chemistry as well. I never believed that you could be a world expert in anything in just 3 years. It cannot be done. At that stage a PhD student has learned to be basically competent. You then have a lifetime to gain genuine expertise.
Therrefore, you would do well to shelf any unrealistic expectations and focus on submitting. The viva will be uncomfortable but it will end eventually and you will have corrections to do which will frame your remaining obligations.
You have a new job which is great and that is now way more important than your PhD.
You just have to get your head down and get submitted.
Wont be long before the viva is 6 months in the past.

I

iamlost86
7 years ago

Hi both,
I am doing a PhD in Biophysics and I am suppose to submit at the end of October-which sadly I dont think will happen as I am going through a mental breakdown at the moment.
Mull, I think what you are thinking, that you are a fraud makes absolute sense. When I was on full PhD studying mode I felt I knew almost everything about my research, now that I am not bothered to study a thing and all I do is face the screen of my laptop, I feel worthless and that I will never graduate and that I am a fraud!

I think that your supervisor is very kind to you and you should trust him because they have seen many phd theses a d they have a good judgement, so if he says you should submit then go for it! I am sure you have submitted by now but I wanted to wish you the best for your viva and not to be afraid of it. See it as a nice chat with people (examiners) who have similar interests with you!

All the best!

P

pm133
7 years ago

Quote From iamlost86:
Hi both,
I am doing a PhD in Biophysics and I am suppose to submit at the end of October-which sadly I dont think will happen as I am going through a mental breakdown at the moment.
Mull, I think what you are thinking, that you are a fraud makes absolute sense. When I was on full PhD studying mode I felt I knew almost everything about my research, now that I am not bothered to study a thing and all I do is face the screen of my laptop, I feel worthless and that I will never graduate and that I am a fraud!

I think that your supervisor is very kind to you and you should trust him because they have seen many phd theses a d they have a good judgement, so if he says you should submit then go for it! I am sure you have submitted by now but I wanted to wish you the best for your viva and not to be afraid of it. See it as a nice chat with people (examiners) who have similar interests with you!

All the best!

Everyone of us feels a fraud at some point of our PhD.
Those who dont are either not doing anything challenging or worthwhile or they are lying bastards.
In my opinion of course :-D