thanks for the comments.

Yeah I never thought of staying at work and doing stuff there, but I really like the idea. In fact I wrote an outline for my thesis at work last week over lunch as I needed to get it done, and come to think of it was for more efficient than I normally am. Will definitely try it out.

I think half the problem is I'm not fully committed to the thesis anymore, and am more doing it not because I want it, but I don't want to be labelled a failure. Also my folks put allot into my education and it'd be nice to have this to show for them, although I already have a good BSc and Masters!

Part of me thinks even if I get the extension it wouldn't make a difference, with the rate of progress at the minute I'd need another year! The thought of it hanging over my for that long is daunting. Will see what the academic tutor says, but in the meantime I'll keep at the things I know I'll need as a bare minimum.

Yeah I've just contacted and person at the uni to find out what is needed for an mphil.

I try to prioritise the work in evenings and weekends but I just never seem to make much progress. I don't want to jeopardise the job I'm doing at moment and it's fairly demanding by itself.

Producing a masters standard thesis up could probably have done in a weeks worth of work with what I already have done, just seems such a let down. It would definitely be better than nothing that's for sure.

Hi all,

I've got a bit of a problem and could do with some advice. I find only other people doing, or have done PhD kow what I'm talking about!

I finished the work on my PhD over a year ago, but left the uni I was in to start a job before handing in a thesis (probably my first mistake).

The original deadline was Oct 09 (4 years after I started) which came and went. I managed to get an extension as there were some extenuating circumstances to do with my dad until Oct 10, this month. I've since learnt the deadline is somewhat flexible according to the head of dept, but they still want it in around now for my supervisor to read and give comments before final submission.

As yet I haven't really got anywhere near enough to hand it. Working full time in an unrelated job, living in another country, and all the things that go along with it haven't left me the time needed to finish this thesis off. I wanted to know what my options are? If I didn't submit would I at least get an MPhil or something like that? Do you think it is worth going for another extension?

I'm on about 50 pages at the minute but the main experimental work which is critical for the thesis isn't written up yet. I've taken 3 weeks of holidays this year from my job to try and write it up as I find it almost impossible over the weekends and in the evening after work. I have no more holidays until next year so realistically I need another 6 months at the least.

Anyway, was hoping for some advice, general words or wisdom or a kick up the ...