Have I failed my Ph.D??
Can you switch to part time and extend your submission deadline that way? You are effectively completing the PhD part-time at the moment anyway, as 2 days a week is not a full-time commitment.
Are you receiving an income for this study? I am assuming not because you are working full time. If that is the case, do you have to meet your submission deadline or do you have some flexibility around this date. I would think self funded study would be more flexible with submission deadlines, although perhaps this might not apply in your country or institution?
The other thought is that many people need more time to complete than the original submission deadlines due to supervisors needing to read and sign off on the thesis followed by (in general) lengthy examination and corrections processes.
Given all of these factors, deadlines can be a bit more flexible than they first appear (if this makes sense). I think Tenzin's comment about re-evaluating writing three papers during this time, and considering a suspension of studies is also very helpful.
I am a fee waiver student so I don't have to pay fees but I don't receive any additional funding to live, etc which is why I need to work full time. Also I can't go part time without losing this fee waiver and having to pay it all back which is an option I have considered but it wouldn't be worth doing that.
I have also applied for suspension previously and they have said they will only grant it for extreme circumstances and I would need to have substantive evidence to support those circumstances. They won't grant a suspension of studies just to delay the submission date. I have basically had as much time off as they will allow under my circumstances and I absolutely have to submit on or before the deadline.
The papers are study chapters that will be edited for publication so although it is extra work to prepare them, they need to be written anyway. I was trying to use paper submission deadlines as motivation to get them written quick.
My supervisor just keeps telling me she has faith that I will get it done, I wish I had the same confidence!! I don't think she realises how behind I actually am, despite me making several attempts to drum it in.
Hang on to your supervisor's faith in your abilities...and just do what you can. You might surprise yourself. Even if the quality of the final product is not what you would like, provided the thesis, argument and writing shows that it is-or potentially will be-of doctoral standard, then you may well get through (if you are not awarded a 'no corrections' or a 'minor') with either a 'major' or 'R & R', and this will give you extra time to complete. (I'm not assuming that you will necessarily get a major or R & R, just noting that if you did there would be a silver lining in that either of these results would give you more time beyond your initial deadline).
But perhaps make sure during this very busy period that you take time to look after yourself physically and take up any offers of support or help you can, especially if you note that you are feeling a bit stressed or down.
