Who is doing a PhD?

[onlymyselftoanswerto1]

I'm just into my second year of my PhD and struggling hugely with motivation and writing - would love to connect with any others feeling the same and perhaps need/want some support and keep each other accountable!

Brilliant @Nordstrom well done. Is it your actual finishing viva you've submitted?

I had supervision today and it was actually quite positive (and in person which was lovely!) she agrees that my writing is all over the place and I have huge issues with structure (I have huge issues fullstop but I didn't tell her that ) but she does see improvement so I'm happy with that.

Have been marking 2nd year undergrad essays this week so I'm totally knackered - only 15 more to go then I can get back to my own writing!

Sorry @Nordstrom I mean is it your actual finishing viva you're waiting for - my brain is mush today lol

@onlymyselftoanswerto1 I bloody wish!

No it's just my continuation/upgrade.

@onlymyselftoanswerto1

I haven't taken on any non-research jobs as of yet (I keep telling myself I will have more capacity next year🤣) . Yes, I am delusional.

I need to just bite the bullet and do it as I really do want and need some teaching experience. It's just that I feel I've been hanging on by the skin of my teeth since I started!

@Nordstrom oh yes I remember now - you'll be great, it's not as scary when you're actually there - if you're passionate about your subject you'll sail through.

I love teaching, I despise marking as it takes forever and a day lol - but yeah it will look good on your cv and I find it helps when it comes to presenting at conferences too as if you can deal with a room full of undergrads you can definitely handle some hecklers at a conference

(In-thread name change.)

I have another question - probably not limited to mature students, but whatever …

Do many of you have experience of PhD supervision split between two (or more!) institutions?

If so, how was it arranged, initially?

And does it work well for you? Are you achieving your objectives or does this set up cause complications?

@LiterallyKnowsBest in theory I am supervised by my uni & an NGO but the person in charge of the NGO (who agreed the partnership) left 18 months ago and new person won’t even respond to emails!!!

How it worked was occasionally everyone would get together but more likely I spent a day a week with the NGO & the rest of my time at Uni. Covid hit so I didn’t really get it all going.

Sorry I can’t help more. I am due to finish end of this academic year with effectively zero involvement from NGO

Interesting … Thank you.

Yes, I can see that there might well be a drop in interest from one place, which might be unhelpful.

Happy new year! How's everyone getting on? I have just submitted my ethics application and am waiting on their approval.

Still trying to get my head around my lit review but working on my methodology at the minute for a bit of a change. Also waiting to hear if I have a teaching assistant job for this semester, I did quant research methods last semester and loved it ( but hated the marking!) and I have an interview for a short term RA post next week so it all feels very busy lol.

Happy new year @onlymyselftoanswerto1

Sounds like you are having a productive start to the year.

I submitted my first two studies to the Uni for sponsor review (need NHS ethics) on 23rd. It was a relief to get it off my hands for a bit and allowed to me to have a guilt free proper break over Christmas.

I'm turning my attentions back to my systematic review for a bit now, which will be a welcome change. I have really neglected my reading recently so plan to set up some fresh database searches/alerts to try and get into better habits!

I'm so glad I've found you all! Currently staring at a chapter of my thesis willing to get the motivation to make it into something that resembles PhD-worthy.

After a maternity leave, pandemic and horrendous teaching load at the university it's not surprising I've still not finished, but when I have a week like this with barely anything else in my diary and I still can't find the motivation - argh!

Well done to all of you making progress

Good luck to everyone struggling with motivation. I finished a few years ago but used to fantasize about giving up every day. Still can't believe I got there in the end! Just keep on taking small steps forward and you'll get there.

cupcakes I really relate to that. I am doing my PhD alongside a lecturing role and before Xmas I managed to find some time to do it but I struggled so much to make myself! Not sure what the answer is - I think it's partly because the deadlines are quite spread out.
only good luck with the interview

I've just finished — well, almost!

I've had my viva, so "just" need to finish my corrections, but I had a break over Christmas and need to get going again. It doesn't help I've done the easy ones and am left with the more faffy ones. I think I should have saved a few straightforward ones to get me going again.

I'm also trying to get the application for FHEA finished. I've done loads of teaching, so might as well do it, but I hate writing "reflective pieces" about myself. My mentor left and then covid happened and I was writing my thesis so I let it slide, but I should really do it.

Thanks @rifling - really nice to hear some success stories to keep us motivated 😊

@CupcakesK - welcome 😊 glad you've found us!!

@LauraAshleyDuvetCover congratulations Dr DuvetCover!! 🎉🎉 that's awesome, well done!! Definitely get that FHEA in - I'll be doing mine ASAP too

@Nordstrom - I've still to apply to the police ethics board but was so happy just to get the uni one in - it should hopefully just be a lot of copy and paste for the police!

@marthasmum thanks 😊 I'm nervous but it'll be ok I'm sure

I started this thread in the hopes of having other people help with my motivation so always happy to have an accountability buddy (or 20)... I really struggle to get motivated - I was doing well before Xmas because I was on campus most days but now we're back to remote working I struggle so much!

Hey is anyone still around??

im about halfway through my write up and boy is it heavy going…aiming to complete my first draft in the next six weeks…

I'm around.
Good luck!

Thank you. I’m starting to wish I hadn’t thought this might be a good idea 😂

Still here (and will be for the next 3 years or so! )

I am currently in the midst of participant recruitment and systematic reviews.

On the first year of prof doc, thinking I've made a huge mistake and really struggling..

Can we please not mention systematic reviews 😂 how’s it going @Nordstrom ?

@WaterWall22 what are you finding particularly hard right now? It isn’t easy but if you tell us perhaps we can help you with the current problem?

I'm still here too. Just passed my APR so they can't Chuck me out for another year 🙌🙌 @Nordstrom I'm at the recruitment stage too. It's very demotivating I have to say 😩

@RJnomore1 thank you. I think the issue is mostly finding the time. I'm working full time and it's really busy, and the teens having their challenging moments too. I feel I'm failing at pretty much everything..

So I have been exactly there. I’ll be honest lockdown helped as after things settled in the first few months of 60/70 hour working weeks, there wasn’t anything to do for a long time.

im guessing you’re in taught elements. It’s about two things- demanding/buying out some time (not available to everyone all the time) and chunking it down, what do you need to have done by a certain date.

I will use any excuse to avoid housework so there’s that too. Just remember, if it was easy everyone would have one…