Hi!. I had viva in January and was given major corrections and 6 months to do them. At the time I just wanted to take an MPhil and leave, but then the next day I was determined to do the corrections and pass the PhD. I got the corrections a couple of days later and have been working on them ever since. Some weeks I've really worked on them, others I just did a couple of hours. Pleased to say that I've nearly done them and I am aiming to finish by Easter! It is a pain having to do corrections, especially while trying to work as well, but my thesis is a lot clearer and I have explained things better, so it will be worth it in the end! 8-)

What are you expecting to find? A PhD website with people describing themselves as being practically on the verge of orgasm throughout their PhD studies, or describing in graphic detail some illness they developed from the stress of working on it?

I think you'll find that this website caters for the majority of problems experienced by PhD students!8-)

I hope the moderators don't take your suggestion seriously 'Bug_the_pug'. The comment by Cleverclogs was harsh, but I am sure 'Keenbean' is quite capable of ignoring it. Once you start censoring posts just because they might hurt someone where do you draw the line. Should only supportive posts be aloud? Could a critical post not help someone by making them realise they are wallowing in self pity?

Personally unless a reply is slanderous, downright rude, uses offensive language or is an advert then it should be allowed, however hurt someone may feel. PhD's are difficult. I'm sure we have all felt sensitive at times, but one thing I have learnt about doing research is that you have to develop a thick skin and take criticism on the chin.

Hello. I had my viva last week and I was given corrections and six months to complete them. Being given Major Corrections is a dispiriting experience and I felt utterly defeated for about a week afterwards and hated bth examiners. I was given the list of corrections a few days ago, which initially mad me feel worse. This last couple of days my anger and frustration have gradually faded and for the first time in years I feel very relaxed. I have started doing the corrections and now just want to get them done. It was a bit annoying as my supervisor had encouraged me to submit and I trusted that he knew it was ready. For anybody given Major Corrections my advice would be to get on and do them. In the scheme of things 6 or 12 months is nothing. 8-)

I had my viva today and passed with major corrections, which was dissapointing. I argued as best I could with both examiners and hate them both at the moment. I was tempted, and still am, to leave with an MPhil because I am sick and tired of thinking about my f&*%ing thesis.

I would still advise you to appeal as yours was due to inadequate supervision.

That sounds awful. From what you've said i.e. learning a language from scratch and being attached to a bigger project, they were using you as a cheap Postdoc.

Have you got emails or comments on reports that you have received from your supervisor(s) over that last three years as evidence of inadequate supervision? I would have a few days off and then considering appealing. Speak to Academic Support at your university.

I have my viva on Monday and I can feel the anxiety gradually building up.

It takes a considerable amount of effort to fail the first year report. Supervisors and academics are very easily impressed. No doubt standards vary from university to university but as long as you write something you'll pass. The viva at the end is a lot more important. It's not worth the worry!

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You have a 2i first degree and a PGCE in Biology. So you have taught in schools?
Your qualifications are good enough for a PhD. Don't worry about the lack of lab experience, you get that in the 1st year of a PhD. Just look on this website for a PhD topic your interested in and get applying! It might take a few attempts. I was successful in geting a funded PhD after three application attempts. Good luck! You'll never do a PhD unless you take the bull by the horns and get applying, so just do it! :-)

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.findaphd.com%2Fsearch%2Flistprojects.asp%3Fdisc%3Dmc%26location%3D%26univ%3D%26searchtype%3Db%26keyword%3Dcomputer%2Bscience%26scip%3D241%26scif%3D16%26socp%3D12%26socd%3D8%26socf%3D10%26pd%3D0

Why not just set all numbers to 3 d.p. ?

I am doing a funded PhD in Engineering. I applied for three different projects at two different universities over two years though. Was accepted on my third attempt8-)

I have a 2:2 BSc Maths degree and a pass at MSc and I'm doing a PhD at Manchester! So yes it is possible.;-)

One and a half lab books worth of data is a lot of data. Possibly too much. I only have about 20 pages of data.

It's not about quantity but quality and how you interpret your results. Do your results show anything new?

Do you know what the aim of you project is? What are you trying to research?

I suggest you sit down with a sheet of A4 and write down what the aim of your PhD is. What you have done so far and then a reasonable plan of what you can still do in the available time, which may mean analysing what you have and writing it up. Try and set up a meeting with your supervisor to discuss your plans. Do you have a second supervisor. If yes also have a meetng with them. Preferably try to organise a meeting with both supervisors.

You are at the end of the second year. Don't give up now, you're nearly there! 8-)

If you really do sometimes feel suicidal then ring the Samaritans.

Don't let your PhD get you down that much. I went through a difficult period in the winter of the second year of my PhD when I couldn't be bothered to get out of bed. I did for about four hours to cook and eat something before going back to bed!

Things do get better, just keep going. Do you have a Student Counselling service you could go to for a chat?

@4matt

'If something that "allegedly" took place around 25 years ago hasn't been fixed, you can hardly say that it's not Labour's fault.'

Try reading a history book! I agree 13 years of New Labour has only exacerbated the problem. That's why I'd give the Lib Dems a go. Just to see if they can do anything better.