Hi all,

First post - partly because I need to speak to someone who just won't say "oh you should finish it!".

I did three years full-time on my PhD. I completed data collection, but not much of thesis. I then had to get a job which was 8.30-6 Monday till Saturday, my marriage broke up and so I stalled for sometime. In two years, I have barely gone back to it and I'm down to my last 6 months.
I want the PhD. I don't want to have wasted the time. But work is still very time consuming and I also run another business on the side to pay the bills. Essentially I have between 6 and bedtime after a day's work. I have my kids every other weekend and just one SAturday off in 6 weeks.

Am I mad to consider that I no longer want an academic career and so should I be stressing myself out about failing PhD. There is a mixture of shame, fear of failing on the "go for it" side, as well as not wanting three dead years on my CV. On the other side, I could shrug off a whole load of stress and free up my time.

I want to make a go of my business, get back to fiction writing (novel is on third draft but haven't touched that in three years), spend time with kids and spend time with long-suffering girlfriend.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Alan

======= Date Modified 21 Apr 2012 19:31:58 =======
Hi Alan,

First of all, many get stressed by their PhD and have to juggle it with other demands and so you're not alone but I understand you anxiety.

Time management will be key for you and quality time (working very productively) very important.

Plan what exactly it is you need to do to get finished, determine what you can do in manageable chunks, draw up a tick list and watch it get smaller as you knock the tasks away.

Come here for encouragement and support as honestly you're not alone.

You can do it, if you want to(up)

Best of luck!

Hi, I agree with the good advice already posted. Indeed, juggling PhD commitments with full time work is nothing short of exhausting. 
However, from my own experience the write up is absolutely doable if you want the
PhD and time management is key. You've come so far already after all! Work out a
daily minimum word limit and try to stick to writing this amount daily. Why not
try to change your work shifts, cut hours or take holidays over the next few
months to allow yourself some dedicated writing time too? Signing up to a sporting event in the not too distant future will make sure you keep your energy levels flowing during the write up too! All the best:-)

Hi Alan, It is doable but it will depend totally on your commitment to acheiving the write-up. I was working full-time initially, them went on mat leave for the last two years with three babies all day. My write-up time was purely in the evenings 7.30pm-1100pm (no weekends) and just one afternoon childcare a week (1.30-5.30pm). I managed to complete my data analysis and thesis write-up during this time but it was a serious commitment that several people thought I could never complete. They didn't understand all of the emotions potential failure put me through such as the 'I told you so' comments, explaining to everyone inc my children why I didn't complete, the wasted money/ time/effort/results etc and the judgement by supervisors/my parents/hubby etc. Obviously, I was my biggest judge and was extremely hard on myself! It is stressful and frustrating as any PhD student will tell you. You will feel guilty about spending time on your thesis and not with your girlfriend/friends and children but then spending time with these important people will mean quilty feelings for not studying! It will be a rollercoaster ride but then the resultant pass and graduation will be an amazing acheivement. In reality, you need to decide what is most important to you now. If you let this go will you be constantly kicking yourself for not trying to complete? Your CV can be explained away with many excuses ie the data didn't work out etc. Or Is it worth trying to get your thesis written thus giving yourself a chance to finally get your PhD?

Thank you for all the advice. I am going to persevere with it. Drawn up a timetable, so shall see how this goes!

I can't stand the idea of losing it at this point, even though there is a mountain to climb (not least the fact that I will have to re-read practically everything for the introduction).

I appreciate the comments.

Hi Alan,

Although you have received a lot of uplifting advice and encouragement, here are a couple more in a creative way:

1. Jimmy Cliff / "You can get it if you really want" URL http://youtu.be/18EAqHx2lMk

2. Jimmy Cliff / "I can see clearly now the rain is gone" URL http://youtu.be/0jsw_r0hILQ


I hope that your spirit is what is sung in the second one.


Best of luck.


Maria Livingstone

Hi Alan,

Although you have received a lot of uplifting advice and encouragement, here are a couple more in a creative way:

1. Jimmy Cliff / "You can get it if you really want" URL http://youtu.be/18EAqHx2lMk

2. Jimmy Cliff / "I can see clearly now the rain is gone" URL http://youtu.be/0jsw_r0hILQ


I hope that your spirit is what is sung in the second one.


Best of luck.


Maria Livingstone

Hi Alan,

Although you have received a lot of uplifting advice and encouragement, here are a couple more in a creative way:

1. Jimmy Cliff / "You can get it if you really want" URL http://youtu.be/18EAqHx2lMk

2. Jimmy Cliff / "I can see clearly now the rain is gone" URL http://youtu.be/0jsw_r0hILQ


I hope that your spirit is what is sung in the second one.


Best of luck.


Maria Livingstone