======= Date Modified 07 04 2009 21:04:59 =======
I am a full-time practitioner and a part-time PhD student. I would be interested in exchanging ideas/challenges with others who are in the same situation. Also, for the full-time doctoral students on this forum, do you think there is a disadvantage to going part-time?

I'm part-time (humanities), not due to working alongisde, but due to severe disabling neurological disease which wipes me out and leaves typically just 5 good hours a week for the PhD now I'm nearing the end. It's been a struggle continuing the PhD throughout the 6 year period. I often wish I could study full-time, but it's not an option, even though I have research council funding and could have switched. But the health problems rule that out. But nearly there.

I'm so sorry to hear about your illness...it sounds like you've faced quite a challenge. My situation is very minor compared to yours. I can't go full-time because I am the breadwinner and have a very lucrative career. I was forced to apply at an on-line college because the brick and mortar university here does not accept part-time doctoral students.

Hi Ajyoakum

I worked on my PhD part-time for the first 2 1/2 years, and have been full-time for the past year, so have experienced both. The hardest thing about doing a PhD part-time and working is just the time - it's hard to get a decent chunk of time to study. By the time I'd gotten back into it each day, it was either time to go to bed or go to work. I'd try and get up at 5.30 and study for a couple of hours before work, then do a bit more after dinner at night time and also on the w'ends. It was incredibly hard. You really do need large chunks of time to think, let alone do the actual research. Eventually I started to work a 4 day week, which was better as I still got paid enough and had more time to study. Then I went to full-time study, which is good as I have loads of time - but am pretty poor. Doing a PhD part-time while working full-time is difficult, and you need to be really driven. It wears you down. But it can be done! But you should also factor in some time to do your studies full-time, especially when writing up, and I really don't think it's possible to do the last stages of the PhD part-time, you do have to write and think and focus on nothing else. So, have a think about saving up so you can take a few months off to finish.