Research Degree's

22 Aug 2010

I am after a little bit of advice from anyone who has undertaken a Research Degree, preferably on a part time basis (as I am working full time) and how they managed to keep going for the full 6+ years.
I have just finished doing a Masters Degree, and freely admint that I have found the last three years to be hard going but now its finished, I am feeling a little down. I have had my first weekend in three years where I didnt have Uni work to do and I have been bored rigid. It may sound odd but I am already missing studying.
So with that in mind, I have been doing some reading on the Internet and have found a research degree in Social Welfare, which I think would be really interesting and it feeds into the Masters I have just finished, but I am a little worried about commiting myself for such a long time (6 years research and then up to one year to complete the thesis).
As anyone undertaken anything like this and would they do it again? Any ideas on funding options (I understand that tesco club card vouchers can be used, but as anyone actually used them) but does anyone know of any other ways (it is going to cost a fortune and work wont/cant help) and how the hell do you keep up the motivation over such a long period of time?
Sorry, Im waffling a bit now, but just need a bit of advice (or maybe just a kick up the arse). Its either a research degree or start doing housework confused

22 Aug 2010

the thing is will it be a passionate, creative, rewarding thing or just a time filler?
i gave up academic studies whilst attempting a masters, on night shifts and two babies growing.
happier now self employed.

22 Aug 2010

Quote by duncanlondon
the thing is will it be a passionate, creative, rewarding thing or just a time filler?
i gave up academic studies whilst attempting a masters, on night shifts and two babies growing.
happier now self employed.

It will be because I have so enjoyed the pain of doing the masters, because I have found just how interested I am in learning, but also just how interested I am in the subject mater. It probably wont be for career reasons, but more for self fulfilment and to see what I am capable of doing.
I know it will be hard, but if it was easy, it would not be worth doing. It is the 6 year commitment that frightens me (nearly as long as a mortgage) lol

22 Aug 2010

Just been sent this link by a pal:

"The Illustrated Guide to a PhD"
I know it's not real help but :giggle:
and :rose: 'cos I think you're a bit brave and wonderful for considering it.
Nola x

23 Aug 2010

I've been through a research PhD (although many years ago now) whilst working.
It really depends on a number of factors - what your current job is and the time they will allow you, what your home personal circumstances are (the kids/hubby/friends time etc) you can spare, how 'dedicated you are to 'academia' and the benefit of having the end result (the PhD).
It IS a huge investment in time and effort (luckily I had a supportive employer and not many drains on the personal life at the time). But the ultimate reward of the PhD was worth the effort.
Everyone doing a research PhD goes through ups and downs over the years and it's important to have personal 'support' inplace that you can call-on when the going gets tough (family & friends as well as others taking the course). I found it a real help to 'block' time slots in a weekly calendar then divide the monthly course deliverables down into the blocks but always make sure that these didn't clash with other 'priority' events in the calendar (birthdays, kids school sports days) and such like. i aslo added a 20% time contingency to my learning plan (which really helped) as either you have the 'extra' time needed to get the work in, or you had 20% free time as a bounus that could give a bit of a 'break' to recharge the old brain batteries (bad was to use that time to 'get-ahead' with the next block).
Whatever you decide, good luck.....

23 Aug 2010

Quote by Naughty Wigan Couple
....(or maybe just a kick up the arse).....

Trust 'him' to spot, but offers this service on request lol

Seriously, take a few weekends off so as to break the weekend 'study' habit and get used to weekends again, then decide what to do

23 Aug 2010

I did a PhD between 1997 and 2002. I worked throughout the process, but in the same area as my research rather than something completely different. This helped me no end. TBH I enjoyed it from start to finish and my viva day goes down as one of my all time top ten best days ever.

23 Aug 2010

Nola, now that is food for thought and yes, the world does look different lol

Voddy, as you know, I could live on Costa Coffee (plus the odd tripple chocolate muffin) wink

Kaz, if the interest is there, go for it, you have nothing to lose and so much to gain kiss

Blue and Gunncouple, just wanted to say a big thank you for your honest replies. You have certainly given me more food for thought, just wish I had the answer.
Thanks everyone, maybe once I find out my results from Uni I will know if it is worth persuing this, but in the meantime, I am just going to keep doing some reading and hopefully if I get the results I want, persuade someone to pay my fees for the next 6 years (ie Mr NWC) :lol:
Thank you xx

24 Aug 2010

What about a gap year for christ sake!

24 Aug 2010

Quote by Kaznkev
What about a gap year for christ sake!

Ohh yes i could just see NWC backpacking round India. lol

Oh sod, get your back pack packed and we will head off to somewhere nice and warm :lol:
Good on you Kaz, and I have sent for my prospectus today, so I am definately going to do some more digging round. Just need to work out the funding options now wink

25 Aug 2010

i suppose at the end of these six years you will probably need a course of infinite length which requires you to stay awake for the rest of your life.
then no one else will need to work, you'll be doing it.