Planning for completion...
Long time lurker, but I don't think I've posted before. I am working on the completion of my PhD, and finding it difficult to look past the thesis and make any sort of plan whatsoever.
For information, I'm working in the UK and I'm in my third year of study. I'm only funded until June of this year, which effectively means I'm okay until about Sept-Oct, since it's a quarterly payment. I'm looking at decadal climate variability, and although I'm working on a "climate science" topic, I'm actually in a Geography department.
My supervisor has already recommended that I am to be concise, and I'm not planning to write close to the 100,000 word limit. I am reasonably happy about my ability to write, and marginally confident that my reading and technical understanding is sufficient to do the write up without going crazy in the process.
However, I have no idea when my submission date will be. My supervisor - in a Zen fashion - says that I should not worry about the thesis, but concentrate on the quality of my data and analysis. I accept that he is right. However, I also like to eat. And pay rent. I'm not particularly bothered by the idea of running a little late - I can afford to go in to November-December if needs be.
What concerns me is the lack of ability to plan what comes next. I am supposed to do a one week course during this year. I can't say when I will be able to: what if I'm mid-write up? What if I'm desperately trying to submit?
I'd like to apply for jobs, training, or another career move - but how can I do that (outside of academia) without having any ability to name a date? Or even if my thesis will be complete?
Any advice, either on planning, or managing a supervisor who is not so concerned about timetables, would very very welcome.
For information, I'm working in the UK and I'm in my third year of study. I'm only funded until June of this year, which effectively means I'm okay until about Sept-Oct, since it's a quarterly payment. I'm looking at decadal climate variability, and although I'm working on a "climate science" topic, I'm actually in a Geography department.
My supervisor has already recommended that I am to be concise, and I'm not planning to write close to the 100,000 word limit. I am reasonably happy about my ability to write, and marginally confident that my reading and technical understanding is sufficient to do the write up without going crazy in the process.
However, I have no idea when my submission date will be. My supervisor - in a Zen fashion - says that I should not worry about the thesis, but concentrate on the quality of my data and analysis. I accept that he is right. However, I also like to eat. And pay rent. I'm not particularly bothered by the idea of running a little late - I can afford to go in to November-December if needs be.
What concerns me is the lack of ability to plan what comes next. I am supposed to do a one week course during this year. I can't say when I will be able to: what if I'm mid-write up? What if I'm desperately trying to submit?
I'd like to apply for jobs, training, or another career move - but how can I do that (outside of academia) without having any ability to name a date? Or even if my thesis will be complete?
Any advice, either on planning, or managing a supervisor who is not so concerned about timetables, would very very welcome.