Hi all,

My first post here so 'hello', I had my viva on Friday and have to revise and resubmit my thesis which, as you might expect, isn't exactly what I was looking for. To be honest, the viva was one of the worst experiences of my life, after a while I told myself I'd just have to keep going and then it would over. At one point the internal kept on going about a certain point, despite my having defended it to the best of my abilities, and the Chair had to tell him that the point was made and we should move on. I'm not talking about him talking about it for a minute or so without any response from me, I'm talking about several iterations of him going back to the point. I actually felt more supported by the externals (two of them) than I did by the internal.

Anyway, it's revise and resubmit, and after 6.5 years of part-time PhD I'm not sure I have the desire anymore. I lecture at the University I'm studying in and have recently upgraded to a full time job (although it's only temporary), plus I'm going to have to do a Post-graduate certificate in Higher education (PGCHE) and I've got a creeping feeling that they might want more data collected. I'm not sure it's possible to do all of this. So...that's where I'm at, my apologies for such a grumbling post for my first post on the forum.

Sartois.

Hi there

Many of us on this forum have received the same verdict after the viva. It is simply a matter of perseverance. Take some time off, reset your goals and remind yourself of how you are longing to get a PhD and for what reasons. Then make a plan of work and try not to look back. The past is the past, you cannot change it. Now look for the future. You have done already so much work on your PhD that there is no way you should waste it in my opinion. Think positive. Another year of work or two! And job is done!

Hi- I had the same experience- please don't give up!! I can honestly say that following my viva I was at my lowest I had been ever in my life. But, I was determined to prove to my examiners I could do it- and I did. I can honestly say my thesis looks so much better now. It was hell, and I have just finished the minor corrections I was given following my re-submission. This process requires determination + perseverance + support. I know a lot of part-time students don't even make it as far as the viva so you have made a remarkable achievement to get this far. Please keep your chin up. Just follow exactly what they say in your examiners report and you should be fine :)

Hi Sartois,

This is my first post too. I had my viva this week and have to revise and resubmit. Spent two days crying so I know what you're going through. Then last night went to Eason's bookstore to find an inspirational book because just couldn't stand another day feeling like this. I had a really traumatic time in my viva as well. The first hour was tough but manageable, the second I could actually feel the blood drain from my face because I knew the external was out for the jugular vein (it felt that way anyhow). To cut a long story short I left feeling humiliated, embarrassed and more stupid than I have ever felt in my life.

I start new job soon so I'm worried too how I'm going to cope with that and the revisions. Also feel guilty because I promised my partner and kids that it was nearly over and now they have put up with me and my PhD for even longer!!

Hope it helps to know you're not alone. I just wonder how often this happens? No one prepares you for it and universities don't have support system for students that have a really rough viva.

Buddy

Hello. I am one of them who have to resubmit. It is extremely traumatic. It took me about 3-4 months feeling like a zombie out of depression and loss of confidence... but I am doing some serious work on my resubmission, I am giving my own personal fight. It happens much more than you think. At least 3 co-students from my department have received the same outcome in the last year or so. All it requires is stepping your food down and saying 'I can do it' and never give up. I know the feeling about the family. Just remember: we are not superhumans! We are learning, evolving, progressing. We will get there in the end.

Hi sartois
I only had my viva on the 18/10/12. I also have
To revise and resubmit. I have never
Felt so down that day. Still feel shaky about
It all and my confidence has taken a shaking too. Howver
There are many people on this site that have helped
Me to look to the future. Listen to what they advise
I'm not. Just take s break get you report
And start chipping away little bit by little bit. Just
Remember I and many others were all doing
The same just now. Hang in there please. I also
Felt that I let my kids down, another reason
To keep going. Big hugsx
Fionaoz;-)

Sorry typo I am listening to all of their advice
It got me through this initial days x

Hi Sartois

I also found this forum after getting an R&R verdict. I was utterly devastated and couldn't imagine getting up the will to tackle a project that I thought I'd given my very best efforts already - you think you've finished, you've mentally closed the door on it, and then suddenly someone says, "Whoops, no, another year. Oh - and no guarantees, either." I looked at their list of requirements and went through phases of thinking they were completely unreasonable, completely impossible, and completely irrelevant to the research exercise. It was just a horrible, horrible time, and I was convinced that I couldn't do what they needed me to do. But I decided that I hadn't come so far to leave without a PhD, and I was just going to have to put my head down and grit my teeth and get through it, one way or another. I won't lie - it was long and dispiriting and very painful, but I DID it - I resubmitted in March this year, and I was awarded my PhD in June. And, to be honest, the thesis was much better when I resubmitted than it was the first time around (although I don't like to admit this: I prefer to cast my examiners as evil pantomime villains. Hey, whatever gets you through the process, you know?)

You can do this. And it's totally, totally worth it in the end.

I find myself strangely aout to offer Sartois and Buddy different advice.

In both cases, don't give up. As others have said, wait for the report to see what is required of you. Then sit down with your supervisors to decide how to approach it. Approach each of the examiner's remarks as separate mini-projects and sign off one by one as you complete them. Once all are complete, read through one more time to pick up any loose ends and provided your supervisors are happy, then resubmit. You may find things aren't as bad as first thought and probably three to four months is enough to clear this up maximum.

Satoris,

You now have teaching duties plus a PGCHE to face. I think you're going to need to look at trying to suspend study for a while until the PGCHE is complete, otherwise you may find yourself overloaded. You health and wellbeing must be considered too. However, if you obtain the suspension, there's no reason why you can't come back to this once the PGCHE is behind you. You'll also have the Christmas and Easter breaks to do some work unofficially.

Buddy,

My thoughts here are you need to see the report before deciding on your next action. Once you see the report, you need to make a decision jointly with your partner (especially) and children. If they say enough is enough, you also need to consider suspension and if your partner makes it clear they've had enough and want you back in your life, if accepting an MPhil if on offer may need to be considered. I say this as the end in sight you promised is now probably as much as a year away and you need to consider the wishes of your family who (reading between the lines) may have had enough. If you can win them over to a few more months, then hopefully in the end you can gain your PhD. But your family must come first.

Whilst I was single during my own PhD, I knew close to the end and an extended write-up period that my close friends had had enough of me, my moaning about the work and the feeling was from at least one friend seemed to be I needed to consider other aspects of my life and perhaps put the PhD on the back burner. One parent understood and put him in his place quite sharpish. Thankfully, I got minor corrections to be submitted within the month (it ended up seven days) though I was prepared for and expected six month major corrections. That said I was single and thus would probably have ploughed on.

But everyone else's circumstances are different and any decision after a revise and resubmit needs to be made carefully and in consultation with supervisors and close family and friends.

Ian (Mackem_Beefy)

Hi all,

Sorry re. my exceptional lack of replying, I'm afraid the reality is that I've not had a chance to work on my PhD - I've had lectures to write, etc plus work duties. So, I've wasted 3.5 months of my extra year which really wasn't a good plan but I get so monumentally angry when I think of it (plus anxious) that for my own mental health I've stayed away from it.

I got an email from my main supervisor saying he was worried about the progress of my PhD, which isn't entirely surprising to be honest. I think the main problem is that I don't care anymore - and I don't mean that in a trite 'throwing toys out of the pram' sort of way, but in a 'I'm just so tired of all this, I don't want it in my life' way.

Anyway, maybe I'll feel chirpier if I can some work done on it, but to be honest if I could think of another way of making money and surviving, I'd do that in a flash. Ho hum...

Sartois.

Hi Ian,

Yup, all fair options; the PGCHE impact has lessened slightly, since I'm going to be able to go through via the portfolio route, it'll still take up some time but not nearly so much. I've decided to start work on all the corrections and then see how I feel in three months time.

Sartois

I'll be more direct as to what I would do. I would suspend now and try to delay until the PGHCE was over.

I would want a clear run at the PGHCE and I think the PGHCE is slightly more important to your immediate employment prospects.

But that's just my penny's worth. All I'm really saying is don't take on too much at once.

Ian (Mackem_Beefy)