I am working full-time as I am self-funding but also in my final year and am trying to write up at the same time. Anyone else struggling to juggle both and lacking inspiration to write after a day in the office?

Hi Pamela

I started my PhD while working full-time, have since turned into a full-time student, but will shortly be going back to working 4 days a week while in the last few months of writing up. Working full-time and studying is hard, and needs determination. I used to get up at 5.30am and do a couple of hours studying while I was fresh, then go to work. Then would force myself to work after dinner, even if for only an hour or so, and would try and do more menial tasks.

Are you able to take study leave? I also purchased additional annual leave from my employer, so that I could take one day's annual leave each week, and thereby have a 3 day week-end, which enabled me to get some momentum going with the writing. I also expect I'll be using my remaining annual leave over the next few months. I also used to cook really big meals and freeze them, so I didn't have to waste time cooking after work. If you can afford it, hire some help - someone to do the cleaning, so you don't have to worry about that either.

So - shortcuts, take as much leave as you can, and write as much as you can. Don't forget to take the occasional time off to recharge and spend time with friends and family. It will be over eventually. It will be hard, but it can be done! Good luck!!

Hi Pamela,

I'm working full-time too, self-funded, etc. I've had a pretty demanding full-time job since Feb and thesis productivity has really suffered over the past four months. I've been trying to write up only in the weekends, but found that I was spending too long re-orienting myself every saturday. I recommend just ONE hour per night after work (use a stopwatch/kitchen timer) just to keep your hand in throughout the week and then you can jump straight into it on the weekend. I get home from work and relax for half an hour (and resist having a beer!) then do a solid hour of writing. THEN I can have a drink, have dinner, and relax feeling smug and self-satisfied that I've got some work done. I take Friday nights off to avoid going mad.

Also, if I do happen to have no time to work on the weekend (or just slack off), I won't feel AS guilty/worried about it. I know that I've done SOMETHING that week, and the thesis is slowly but surely progressing.

Best of luck!

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I'm working full-time too. I am very tired

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