Hey Lostinoz ! You must have started out with different motivations ? I often felt like you do when I was doing mine and it often felt like I was just finishing because I had started it and didn't want to be a failure. It's normal to loose motivation and passion esp. when things are going badly or your stuck in a rut. Remember why you chose to do it, and think of how many dull 9 to 5 office jobs there are. PhDs are great because you get so much freedom to follow the path you want. At the end of the day it will be your research, your achievement and no-one can take it away from you. I often look at my thesis and think...wow if I could do that, I can do pretty much anything. Hang in there if you can, and when you are feeling bad try and remember why you started it and how it will feel when it's all finished. It's worth it in the end !:-)

Hi Jateet,

I submitted at the end of September at the last possible minute. I could have submitted before but just couldn't let it go despite my supervisor saying it was ready. It's natural to have doubts, and because you are so close to it, you might have trouble seeing it's overall quality. Trust your supervisor, he is experienced and would not let you submit anything that was sub-standard ! I am sure your work is good, people are often their own most harshest critics - I know I always am. Go ahead and submit...it will feel so good honest !

Hi Rose09, that's a really good idea - I might try that too. It's so tough to go back to it, I keep finding mistakes and my brain just won't cooperate ! Not long now though, will just be glad when it's all over !

2001:A space odyssey

Because it's beautiful and way ahead of it's time. It also depicts space as silent, and it has always annoyed me how in most films explosions occur very loudly in space......IT'S A VACUUM !!!

I also think Hal is sooo scary, more scary than any monster in a slasher film...that voice.......

The music to the space scenes truely inspired !

oops that face was supposed to be a smiling one, I think my fingers are too connected to my mood right now !:-) That's better !

Great thanks RubyW ! well done on the Ph.D as well it's a HUGE achievement esp. if you were working at the same time..respect :-(

It's not your IQ that counts, it's what you do with it.

I've never shone particularly in terms of intelligence, fairly average at everything. I think I am still a capable scientist, what I lack in IQ I make up for in imagination and passion. Plus I know a few intelligent people who have zero people skills....swings and roundabouts !;-)

Hello, this sounds like a stressful situation but I would say don't produce a fake Doctors note. If you are ill again (hopefully not of course), you may need to go to a doctor and get a note and this may prove problematic. Have you had depression in the past and seen a Dr. ? If you have a history of it (my brother suffers with severe depression and goes through bouts periodically), and explain this to your funding body am sure they will understand. If not, be honest, at the end of the day your funding body and University wants you to complete. They just want proof that you fit to work (to cover themselves in case you become ill again) - go to your GP explain the situation, your symptoms etc. and that you are feeling better. They will more than likely write give you a note so that you can resume your studies.

DON'T be too hard on yourself a Ph.D is one of the hardest things that you can do and many people get stressed and depressed. I am sure your not the first person to find yourself in this situation. Funding bodies and Universities are used to dealing with it and they are on your side generally. Honesty is always the best policy and you were genuinely ill. What have your supervisors said ? Can you talk openly with them about it ?

Cleverclogs - your in the same boat as me ! I don't think they can fail us just because we forget a few details. I never thought of looking at the guidelines for examiners, it's a good idea and I may just do that. I am currently trying to pick holes in my own work to sort of prepare for worse case scenario but am not sure if this is very helpful. Are you just reading over your thesis or trying to get to grips with your field in general as well ? have no idea what they will ask me !

Hi Rubyw, Thanks so much for that message - it has reassured me and is so nice to talk to someone who has been there ! You mentioned a book by Murray ? Have searched the forum for Lara but can't find anything about this book. I think it may help, do you have any more details as I might try and track it down on line. Although I am dreading my Viva I suppose it will be good to finally finish my Ph.D after 4 years. Am currently also looking for jobs and having minimal success at the moment. Did you manage to get a job quickly post Ph.D and do you have any tips ? :-)

Am new to this forum and hoping some of you can give me some inspiration. I handed in my Ph.D thesis at the end of September and have my Viva at the beginning of December. I know it's getting near but since I handed my thesis in, I just can't bare to look at it again. I have several papers which need writing also but again I just can't bare the thought of sitting down to it again ! Not sure where all my motivation has gone, burnt-out a bit prior to thesis hand-in but surely I should have recovered from that now !? Anyone in the same boat or post Viva who can give me some inspiration ?!:$