For those with a PhD!!

[Jazzicatz]

How did you get motivated to start writing up? I am 2.5 years in have done all my data collection and am now ready to write up, but just cannot get motivated, how did you do it???

Is it too late to join in? I have just last week submitted and really wish that I had noticed this thread in the last rather scary weeks! Any viva advice very, very gratefully received.
PenpotEca: impressive summary!

btw, my motivation, after 3 years and a great deal of fannying around (and very little writing) was my (lovely) supervisor insisting on 1000 words a day every day. It worked, and I churned out the rest in around 6 months.

he he. Yep. But this time round I'm really interested in what I'm doing (and it's funded- it was either a funded PhD or part time research assistant post - funded PhD is better).

My next aim is to finish a paper. Then have another one up sleeve and need to write Lit review by October.

Jazzi- agree working from home is much harder. I can walk to my office, but I would get more done if I could get efficient from working at home (my eldest son goes to a special school so I have to be here for his bus- the other 2 can have after school/pre-school care so are a bit more flexible). So I'm trying really hard to get better at working from home.....

Yep - that's right.

Peas - did your supervisor actually check your word count every day???

Oh -oh - dd waking up...

peasholme - submitted last week. Needing viva advice!

jazzicatz - 3.5 years in. Aims to finish methods chapter this week (mon 12 May).

acinonyx - has just started writing up and is aiming for a chapter a month. 1st deadline 30th May. Plans to finish 1st section of ch.1 this week (mon 12th May). HAS to submit by xmas!!

yurt1 - working on 2nd PhD !

penpoteca - 5years in. Writing up a chapter (approx 15,000 wds) for 28th May. Has 10,000... some of which make sense! . Overall wants it done by December 09/Jan 10

sunnylabsmum - chapters 1,2&3 done. Finishing final chapter and 'titivating' chapter 4 by the end of May 08. Wants it all revised and in her bag when she comes to the uk 12th August. Worst case senario she has until 1st Sept.

madmumnika - In year 6. Hopes to submit Dec as Sept is looking unlikely. Has 3 chapters 60% written.

whiteflame - 2.5 years in.

Yes she did. It was a battle of wills as to who would crack first, me writing or her returning work! I had to send around 1000 words every day. It was quite effective.
She is an unusually lovely supervisor and does things like buying me a day at a spa when she thinks I'm a bit low! She's far too nice. Not complaining, mind.
Thanks for letting me join in!

Yurt!

Very impressed that you are up for another slog! Will you do it differently this time, do you think?

Peasholme - I may suggest the spa idea to my supervisor

Yes, tell her it's expected these days!
The awful thing is, I haven't dared use it yet. I am absolutely bloody terrified at the prospect of going on my own. How's your work going today. In fact what are you doing on here?

I know - I must get on.

I always started work with a 30 or 40 minute Mumsnetting / emailing session and then switched off the wireless router so that I couldn't do anymore! Good luck today, you just need to get into the swing of it.

Right, I'm off now. I did the PhD writing at the expense of six months worth of cleaning and ironing, so the house is in a sorry state. Good luck today!

Good luck to you also

I have a job interview for next week - which if I get I have to have the PhD completed by September eeekkkk!

you missed me of your list, 2 years in and about to move from the Mphil to the Phd stage in June assuming I pass my Research proposal part

peas - your supervisor sounds interesting! Until now, I've seen my supervisor briefly 2-3 times/year but I am planning to submit monthly and just hope that he can feedback promptly. Since we are both pretty keen for me to submit I hope that will motivate him.

Jazz - what's the job? Is it at the same place? I'm not applying until next year since there is no hope of submitting in time and I couldn't cope with an overlap.

Well I've done the first part of Ch 1 but a lot of it was pasted in from an earlier grant proposal so it's not a huge achievement. The next bit is a lot more challenging and I'd really prefer to wait until I ahve that program from my friend (who I must not pester...).

Can't wait to give my Last Supervision in 2 weeks - that will free up a chunk of time.

Good luck with your 1st yr report slalom.

Criminology Lecturer - I need something to motivate me and getting a job will be the impetus to complete - I will have little choice!

Do you want to do any more research?

I do I have very much enjoyed the freedom thus far of working on research projects as well as my own research, alongside teaching. Both have there advantages - and if I could coose I would probably go for a research post. They are a little thin on the ground a t the minute so am applying for a lectureship. I am also fortunate that the job I have applied for is research focussed. Will have to see anyway!

If a lectureship came up I would apply - but it's unlikely I think. I'm hoping to apply for a postdoc grant but not until next year. I'm still a bit foggy about jobs wrt research and teaching. How is this job research focussed - what does that mean? Is time set aside for research - is there any budget for research costs (or do you not need any)?

Within my field (social sciences) funding can be either through tendering for existing projects or applying to the various funding bodies for money relating to a project which you want to do. This is often in partnership with another university or say for example the police or council. As part of my job - I am timetabled to teach for 3 days and for 2 I am timetabled for my own research. However, as we all know the teaching time does encroach upon your own research time - however, this is how your time is organised.

That sounds very reasonable. I think lectureships are similar here - I'll have to find out more details.

I finally got my program - now I just ahve to figure out how to use it...

Acionyx - worked out how to use your program yet?

How are we all getting on with our plans. I have finished the marking and are go great guns with my mathods chapter.

I need a new version of the program but I can use this version for some things - it is throwing up alsorts of wonderful stuff that means changing my theoretical models oh well, better late (I think) than never...

Very envious that you have finished your marking. I have 2 weeks to go to finish with that - and counting.

Now weren't you going to finish you methods chapter last Monday so when are you going to hand it over?

I'm going to struggle to get a draft of this chapter submitted end May. Not that my supervisor would care I just have to care for both of us....

It should be done by the end of the week