hi there,
sounds like a great opportunity but remember a PhD is 3+ years of very hard slog and commitment and you need to be absolutley sure you are doing it in a subject you want. not only because you are more likely to stick to it but also because your topic will probably determine which research you are able to get into after you have finished. hard decision but at least you have plenty of options at the minute :-)

Hi PhDBug
i did mine in 3 years to the day! it was very hard work and i had to put almost everything else on hold for the final 6 months (literally 16 hour days 7 days a week) but was worth it to get it all done and dusted. Its important to remember you will never feel completely ready to submit you could always re-write this bit and just read a few more articles. I can recommend setting a date and working like mad to get to it and hand it in then. worked for me! ;-)

thanks for your help with this one - it shows the variation within institutions. and nice to have the congratulations - i cant wait to change my credit cards from 'mr' to 'dr'

i passed my phd with corrections to do - can i call myself a dr now or do i have to wait until i have submitted the corrections/ graduated?

hello - this will probably sound like an unpopular reply but I think realistically to finish within your time frame your phd does have to become the centre of your life. I have finished my phd now and did it on time as the thought of dragging it out longer was unbearable! I let it take over my life for one year and now I can spend the next however many I have left not worrying about it!
I think all things in moderation and I worked ridiculously hard and experienced burn out a few times but I had to curb the shopping trips and lays-in in the last year as I wanted to get it done. One day off a week worked really well for me and I found I had no guilt that I wasnt doing work during this time. Saying that, dont let your supervisor dictate to you how much you should work either - just tell him you work 24/ 7 on it to keep him schtum!

tigger - i completely sympathise and pleased to know someone else is in the same boat. I wish i had weeks off to prepare but I am still keeping my fingers crossed that it willbe ok
cc - well done - hope you have been doing some serious celebrating!

Wow well done on passing! congratulations. I have my viva shortly and I would love it if mine was as short as that. I presume you don't have any corrections either which is absolutley brilliant. Well done.

cellguy - i am pleased you are in the same boat - please keep me posted on how you get on

pc geek - wow you must be pooped with all that revision!

cc - have you had your viva? how did it go?

i still have the fear so any more advice is gratefully appreciated!

chocolate, with more chocolate followed by chocolate. i swear i have eaten my own body weight in the stuff over the last few weeks!

hi! i have my viva in 4 weeks time but I also work fill time. If i do work in the evenings and weekends and take a few days off before, do you think this is sufficient time to prepare? or will i need to take a couple of weeks off? - help!

not a chance would i do it again - cost a bomb, temporarily lost my social life, made me cry loads, no excellent job prospects afterwards, and a life time of a badly paid academic. All for 3 years worth of unneccessary study and to have 'Dr' in front of your name! I would instead work as a researcher for 3 years and buy the title of PhD from some random internet university for £50!

great advice - im off to docs on monday! do they prescribe them for things like this do you reckon?

i have my viva soon and just wondered if anyone had any relaxation tips for the day of it. I have heard that some people take beta-blocker medication and was wondering if anyone had tried it/ known someone who did or anything similar?
hope you can help - i am shaking already!

june - i feel exactly the same way! i expected calmness, but feel the fear! hope you are feeling better

Tigger 908 - i so understand how you feel, i am amazed you have managed to buy a house etc during your PhD - I would have had nervous breakdown I think! Best of Luck for the next few weeks
I took everyones advice and have started going to the gym again and had lots of little days out and it has certainly helped ease the pressure, so for anyone else who keeps crying i would definately recommend it!