======= Date Modified 03 22 2010 21:22:23 =======
Hey guys. So I am halfway through my PhD, and last week after supervision I decided to draw up a timetable to plan the next 18 months until I supposedly finish my PhD. Problem is, it doesn't all fit! By the time I have factored in all the testing my sup is suggesting I do (she keeps increasing my target participant numbers so we can submit the results to better journals), and all the papers my sup appears to be expecting me to write, there is absolutely not enough time to do it all. I will be testing up until the end of the three years at least. And this doesn't even take into account conferences, and the time I lose through teaching and supervising etc. It's not like I can just turn it up a gear, I am mad busy and working really hard to get everything done. So given that I know this far in advance that I am trying to do the impossible, do you think it is more sensible to resign myself to the fact that it will over-run and just draw up another plan with an extra 6 months on the end of it, or would you be looking to cut down on what I am actually planning to do? There must be others in the same situation?! Cheers people, hope everyone is having a cool Easter (up) KB

I would be looking at cutting down what you are planning to do. You are likely to need a contingency plan of running over because things don't go quite to plan over the next 18 months anyway. Assuming now that you will just need that time gives you no extra leeway.

I really think you need to be straight with your supervisor that you think you are tackling too much, and won't be able to complete on time (or near time - even being optimistic) at her current plans.

My experience was a little different because I was part-time, but I still had to draw up a timetable for the remainder of the PhD, and I know all too well how that plan can then slip.

Hi KB

Am not surprised it doesn't all fit, after all the work you told us you were expected to do!! I'd do both - cut down on work and add another 6 months on. There's been a couple of times throughout doing the PhD when I've had to cut everything back - have said no to teaching, conferences etc etc, just to get on an even keel and concentrate on the thesis. After all, that's the most important thing. And then things have built up again, but I've allowed myself some breathing space. Also keep in mind that writing will take you twice as long as you allow for - it really is a slow, slow process for most people. So, allow yourself extra time and cut back on work. If you finish early great, and other bits of work will come up anyway.

Personally, I would start by adding six months on, most people seem to take more than three years to complete anyway and really an extra six months isn't a long time, if you can afford to take it. I would do that before cutting down on things you want to do anyway, the extras like teaching, conferences and publications will really boost your career so it would be a shame to cut them down. I also think they are a good thing to do as a side interest when the PhD becomes extra stressful, it probably helps to escape to a conference or teach for a few days. I would cut down on the things that could be unnecessary though, like the help you were giving the MSc students.

Even though I think your PhD sounds brilliant already, it sounds like your supervisor wants you to enhance the quality of it and what you may get out of it in terms of publications etc. by giving you more work. She probably won't be surprised that you want to take a few more months to complete, in my opinion the benefit of doing more work aside from the PhD outweighs taking longer to do it. I think the last thing she would want is for you to burn out with all the work either, try not to do too much in the time you have, you want to keep enjoying it as well.

I know I'm not at PhD level so am quite naive about the whole experience but thats just what I think, hope it helps. Nx

Wow, I am impressed at the speediness of your replies! I think the thing is, I can see where she is coming from with respect to the extra numbers and follow-up study etc, and I agree it's a good thing to aim for. But the NHS ethics committee questioned whether it was actually possible for me to achieve everything in my original proposal, let along with an increase of 50% in my participant numbers! I think part of the issue is that I tend to work really really hard, then my sup sees that I am prepared to throw so much into it and then decides I am capable of even more on top of this. She doesn't put everyone under the same amount of pressure, so I think it's because she reckons I will just agree to it and push myself even harder. Although I don't know anyone doing clinical projects who hasn't run over by at least 6 months, that's the nature of the beast in my field it seems. So perhaps I will just add an extra 6 months onto the plan and see if that looks more realistic- I know I can't meet the targets on the plan I have already done so there seems little point in aiming at them and then becoming demoralised when I miss all of the deadlines. On the plus side I tend to be quite a quick writer when it comes to writing up projects and papers once I know what I want to say so I'm not so worried about that side of things. Unfortunately the teaching is compulsory (although to be fair I am happy to get the experience) but I am hoping that the MSc supervision will be taken away from me next year to free up a bit of time. As for conferences, I am not a strong presenter and I desperately need the experience so I really need to fit some in (I already have a couple lined up for later this year). Arrrgh, there is so much to do! Still loving it though :p Thanks guys for your helpful comments! KB