It took me 12 years with 12-month re-write and resubmit. I worked 4-days per week (3 hour commute) for the first 5 years. Thereafter, I took the maximum time off for maternity leave and long-term illness. The PhD doesn't end when you hand the thesis in - after the viva you may have to factor in further time commitments for corrections - this may be 3 months to 2 years depending on viva outcome (have a good look at university regulations). Also, life happens over the course of a part-time PhD i.e. children, illness, supervisors leaving etc. Having completed the PhD I now wonder if it was worth it - jobs are scarce if you're not in a position to move!

Hi Shack93,

I experienced the same feelings you have now. I spent a great deal of time googling 'failed phd', 'what to put on CV' etc. and thought of quitting 100 + times a day for 18 months. For me, I decided I couldn't justify the time taken to try and complete the *dratted* thing (10+ years part-time, including sabbaticals). Your thesis does not have to be perfect, just good enough to satisfy the examiners.

The thought of the viva *terrified* me... and I was still considering quitting the night before. My viva was not as bad as I expected and the examiners discussed how I could improve it. I was given 12 months to re-write and re-submit, and then a further 3 months of minor amendments. I am not 100% happy with it (being a perfectionist), but I am now a recent PhD graduate.

My mum (wise woman) once said: 'there is no right or wrong decision, just different consequences'. I hope you will take some time to consider your options.

I would suggest:

* asking for medical help (medication or counselling)
* taking time off, if you can (medications and counselling takes time to work!)
* consider your options when you are less anxious and more relaxed
* understand your PhD, or other, fears/issues/problems
* make a list of what can be done/not done to alleviate these
* speak to relevant people about these enablers/barriers
* then make a decision...that is the best for you...

Whatever you decide - don't look back - only forward! No regrets.

Congratulations!! I had a baby whilst doing a PhD. The advice above is great. I would take wowzers advice and seek to suspend for as long as you are allowed now - because (as I found) you cannot put in an application for extension (should you need it) for suspensions you should/could have had at an earlier date. Also, there are only certain criteria under which you can ask for an extension.

I did a part-time Masters whilst working full-time throughout (38 hours per week). It was an online MSc, with tutorials in evenings. I worked most evenings, weekends and holidays. It can be done but I felt a) I did not get as much out of the MSc as I could have if I had more time b) it was horrendously stressful especially writing up the dissertation at the end!!! c) I had no social life etc. for the duration. But, at the end did manage to get a job paying a higher salary... Would I do it again? Not full-time work and part-time study, but perhaps part-time work part-time study.

Thanks for replying!

I did suspend studies through the worst of it - slept on the couch for 6 months and had 3/4 hours sleep a night. Due to my stupidity (i.e. not insisting on more suspension time) I had to ask for an extension. It was also suggested I use voice recognition software but that is another story. Anyway, was given short extensions after medical procedures, possibly as an incentive to get it in. My supervisor didn't think I would get another. An adviser at the student union said "you're not going to drop dead, are you?" so if I had to, I should "simply postpone the surgery and get your thesis in first" (against surgeons advice). So despite pain, lack of sleep etc. I got the thesis in - it's not great and my supervisors think so too.

There has been improvement post-surgery and shoulder will take another year or two to improve, but have been warned that may not regain full movement of my arm. Anyway, should now spend my time preparing for viva - really, really, really not looking forward to it.... especially as my final chapter is partially complete. Has anyone else mentioned health problems to examiners pre-viva? I understand that, and hope that they do, examine me on the merits of my work. But can't help feeling that if they knew about medical, if it comes down to deciding whether to offer fail or R&R, they might choose the latter? Or is this asking for an unfair advantage?

:(

I am a part-time PhD student and have a viva due 17 November 2013. I am not happy with my thesis. I submitted it because my supervisor urged me "to just get it in to buy you more time". However, yesterday my supervisor told me that the circumstances under which I submitted will not be mentioned to the examiners pre-viva, but my viva will be conducted on the merits of my thesis only.

I have had a shoulder problem for the past couple of years, and after two unsuccessful hospital procedures had surgery a couple of weeks AFTER I handed my thesis in. Since I really do want an opportunity to rewrite and resubmit, should I insist that these circumstances are mentioned to the examiners or is my supervisor correct in saying that this is irrelevant (= potential viva failure)?