Using a colon is definitely a good idea. The first part should be clear, concise, compelling and snappy. The second part (the indicative subtitle) can be slightly longer and more descriptive. Using keywords is also useful for conveying theory, scope, case studies. (Using keywords also ensures that your thesis is searchable when you deposit it into the repository.)

I changed my title during the editing period (last three months before submission), and it really brought the entire thing together. Also, while I was editing, I found myself constantly referring to the title to make sure everything was neatly tied up.

The results for the 2016 competition are due to be announced in the next few days. I was wondering if anyone else is in the same boat as I am: going crazy and checking their emails every five minutes. Also, are there any previous fellows on here?

Good luck to everyone who made it this far!

Once I had all the chapters (including redrafting them), it took my three months to get to submission standard. I was writing my chapters in a "stand alone" away and out of running order. So the three months was spent writing the introductory chapter (including redrafting it), going through the other chapters to make sure the theory and my arguments were threaded through, editing and proofreading, and finally writing the conclusion (with small edits).

So my PhD thesis (humanities) submission deadline is tomorrow. I'm not as stressed as I thought I would be and that's started to worry me. Basically, I've done all the corrections my supervisor suggested, written the abstract, changed the title, got two friends (post-PhD, in the same discipline) to proofread it and suggest edits, proofread it myself (on hardcopy), checked the bibliography is all well and good, checked my footnotes and citations, and re-did the contents page (because my sup and I agreed to take one chapter out and this has actually made me feel much less stressed about the thesis). But now I'm worried that I'm not as stressed as the other PhDs around me. Everyone is super stressed and seems to be rushing around to get things done. So now I'm wondering if there is anything I've left out. Any advice on what else I should be doing right now?

Welcome to PhD life. This feeling never goes away. I know of established professors who feel this way. However, if this is really stressing you out then have an honest conversation about it with your supervisor (or someone else if your sup isn't someone you feel comfortable approaching about these things) and think through constructive ways to get on top of your work.

I'm thinking of applying for the LECF (humanities). I was wondering if anyone can give me advice on how to write the project proposal for the LECF. What should it include? Are there any websites with examples? Thanks

You should read "Authoring a PhD" by Patrick Dunleavy. There are used copies on Amazon for a tenner. Also, read other dissertations in your dept for an idea of layout and structure. (Mine, for example, doesn't have separate lit review or methodology chapters. I've just incorporated this into my introduction. I only knew I could do this after I read other dissertations in my department.)

This is very normal. I'm three weeks to submission and this feeling of being dumb as f*** still hasn't gone away. One solution is to develop strategies for work and self-care. Plan your workload: compile a bibliography; set out what you'll read over the week and then organise your daily reading timetable. (I would suggest setting yourself a daily target split between articles and chapters. You'll feel much more successful and motivated at the end of the day.) Take breaks. Meet other people - PhDs and non-PhDs. However, if you feel the stress is really affecting you, perhaps organise a meeting with the student health centre (mental health) at your university?

And, at the end of it, when you have Dr before your name, remember these feelings. It will help you to be humble, caring and kind towards the lowly PhD students you'll supervise one day. ;)

I'm really sorry for your loss and I can see that you posted this as part of a cathartic process. It sounds like you need to take some time for yourself and your family right now. Can you discuss this with your supervisor, and tell them you have too many things to deal with right now? It also seems to me that your supervisor should have advised you to take an interruption at the appropriate time and also to postpone the viva. Also, for your own self-care, I suggest you seek bereavement counselling. There are free services available. I can understand that, as males, we're expected to plod along. Do not do this. You will suffer in the long run.

Thanks a lot for this advice! I'm in the humanities.

Hi everyone

First time posting here. I'm four weeks to submitting my PhD dissertation, and currently writing an application for a one-year postdoc. The problem is that the form is asking me to list "outputs". While I've done conferences, I don't have a huge list of publications. Friends who have previously been successful with this same postdoc have had between four and six publications. Both of my supervisors and intended postdoc mentor say my proposal for the postdoc is really good, original, needed etc etc etc - but I'm really not hopeful due to the lack of publications.

I'm currently re-drafting an article (post peer-review), and I've submitted another to a peer-reviewed journal (waiting to hear back from them). That's it. So, could someone help me with the following?

- Is there a point in applying for postdocs with such a meagre list?
- With the first article, do I list it as "in review" or "in press" (in the publications section of the application form)?
- How would I list the second article?

Also, I want to submit a book proposal of my dissertation. I want to list this in the application form but the point of the postdoc I'm applying for is to turn the dissertation into a book. Turning it into a book won't require that much work. But I need the postdoc to pay for more fieldwork so I can bring one of the chapters up to date. As it is, the chapter is fine for the dissertation but it would be outdated for publication. So, is it too early to submit a book proposal considering that the draft of the book wouldn't be with them until mid-2017?

Thanks for reading this!