Thanks guys, its good to hear how everyone is managing, its impossible to lead a 'normal' life and write up!

Olivia, I'm so relieved to hear that 4-6hr a day with extra at the weekend is probably the max your brain can handle, I totally agree with that!

Lara, well done for being so strict with yourself! your diary is great inspiration also.

Ang

Hello to all of those who are in the write-up phase! and particularly to those of you in the submit by September club.

I just wanted to know how people are supporting them selfs when funding runs out? Do you have an understanding partner at home? Do you work? Have you applied for additional support, have you 'signed on'? or have you developed hibernating technique that allows you to write-up without leaving the house?

I'm working full time and trying to keep to my unrealistic deadlines, surprisingly not as much fun as i thought!

Sounds to me your brain has gone into overdrive Lara. Its a common side effect of spending too much time on your own writing a thesis, like when you over-analysis the reasons for procrastinating only to realize that your actually doing it.

I'm writing along side you today, trying to battle with my crazy deadlines also! Keep up the good work, you're nearly there!

Hi, my name is Edwardo Humphrey III and if my supervisor is reading this then, sucks to be you! hahahahahahahaha

Our students graded us! They were given questionnaires at the end. A report was compiled as well. All the aspects of the course could be graded by percentage (including staff and demonstrators) from the students responses. anonymous additional comments were also included in the report.

Come to think of it, it should only take 10 minutes to write a thesis from scratch. Yeah, all you have to do its write a couple thousand words a second! easy, in fact I've just written up three PhD's, walked the dog, had a cup of tea...and all before lunch! lol

So what do you say 'submit by September club' lets just finish them by this afternoon and go out and play!

@Lara yeah I'm a slave to the science

I'm with you Lara, most of my friends completed within three months and they had great theses, plenty publications as well!

I think providing you;

1)Have a detailed thesis plan agreed with your sup

2)Have all you data collected and analyzed

there should be no reason why a 3 month write up is unrealistic goal.

What subject area are you researching?

Is it a matter of collecting data for these 5 chapters or do you mean writing them or both!

I agree with the other posters some students seem to love boasting about how fruitful their projects are, when in reality is usually their way of disguising their own insecurities

Just caught up on reading your previous few posts.

Chin-up Lara, don't let that evil supervisor get the better of you! You've done so well so far I can't believe your sup doubts you when you are so driven!

Just remember you're not alone, you've got the whole September Club behind you!

Is your library near by or similar quite place i.e a cupboard? thats where i go if i have to be around, (the lib not the cupboard! lol) that way if anyone needs me they can simply come get me.

Why does your sup need you near? couldn't you just leave your mobile/home number if he/she needs to contact you for some reason?

What about compromising, say having one day a week off which is solely for writing?

What stage of your PhD are you at? If your towards the end and moving into full time writing then i think your sup must be mad to keep you confined to a busy office!

Howdy, Mind if i join you guys? I've got a similar deadline and have a discussion to complete for one of my chapters for Monday.

I feel a caffeine blast coming on!

Hey, WELL DONE!!! you more than deserve it!

Thanks for giving us a run down of your viva

Good luck in the states!
Keep in touch
Ang

Good method Lara, productivity = prizes

Hi, It sounds to me like you are prepared, no matter what there will always be unanswered questions in your thesis, just so long as you are aware of these questions then you'll be super!

Have you had a mock viva? and if so, did you find it helpful or just plain scary?

I think relaxing for now is the best idea, re-charge your batteries! although Britains got talent...really sjo4? lol

Good luck you'll be fab tomorrow!

Have you tried speaking to your supervisor in person? Its easy to ignore an e-mail but not so easy to ignore a person smiling politely at the office door, at his/her car, at his/hers home address day after day after day.......

moral of the story is pleasant harassment can be highly effective