Hi I'm new to the forum and I was wondering if you could share your experience with me? Ok, so I did know my project would probably deviate from the advertised one but my project has completely changed! It has moved into a totall different area of which I only have a basic understanding. 6 months in I feel that I have put a huge effort into trying to grasp the basics of this area of study but my supervisory panel still aren't convinced this is a workable project. I am so discouraged! None of my supervisors are experts in this area. How long did it take for your project to firm up into the project you actuall carried out? I am wondering if all this work is in vain!

Can anyone help Lydia?

This is totally up to you and your supervisors. Mine was a vague project and we firmed it up in the first few months, but it changed slightly along the way due to circumstances. It'll be different for every project. But ultimately you are leading the project, so if you aren't happy you need to be in charge of changing it. If it is too late to change now you just need to get on with it I'm afraid.

It took about 18 months (part time PhD) for my project to be settled, although up until I was well into writing up there were still potential changes in the research aspect.

Thank you for taking the time to reply. It's reassuring to hear that others also took a while to get their proposal firmed up.

Although supervision and environment was good, my supervisor kept chopping and changing until the beginning of write-up. My one annoyance with the project, you could say.

Ian

I'm in my 3rd year and things are still changing, though not major modifications. I didn't find my research project until I reached 18 months in! Good luck, you will get there :)

The day you hit 'print' for the final time.