I'm in the third year of my full time PhD but I am way behind. I have known for the last 18 months or so that I would submit 3 months late but my supervisors have now said they think I will take an extra year to complete. I can't stand the thought of doing this for another 18 months!

To make it harder, my funding ends in September so I was planning on moving back home in July for 6 months (so that I don't completely run out of money). I can't ask my parents to support me for a whole year. Well I probably can but I really, really don't want to!

I feel like I should have given up 18 months ago when it became clear I'd wasted my first year and was basically starting again, but I feel like since I have conducted interviews and collected so much data it would be unethical for me to stop now. I have almost finished my data collection and I have written the introductory chapter and the first (of 3) lit review chapters.

Has anyone had a similar experience? Does anyone have any advice for how to reach a compromise with my supervisors? I am okay with submitting at the end of March 2015 but really no later. I want to get on with the rest of my life!!

Towards the end of my first year I had a big breakdown and almost went on suspension because I was so behind with work. My supervisors said to me: "A PhD isn't for everyone". I wish I had realised what they were saying and just quit while I was ahead instead of carrying on. I just feel like I'm not clever enough to finish it.

Thanks for any advice!