Yes there is!
As of yesterday it's official, I've had the confirmation of award, and so the thesis is finally, finally complete. No more waiting for paperwork, it's all done, finished. Forever.
Weird. It's a strange process, and I have to say it's left me with a feeling of anti-climax. I think in part because I am so tired at the moment, but also because the process at the end of a PhD is a bit like that. I did the examination at the end of November, then I made all the required changes by early January, and since then I've been hanging around waiting on a piece of paper to get passed to the right person. When this was eventually produced it got lost in the internal mail. It got to the point where I really thought the world was trying to tell me something, and that the damn award would never be given.
But last week the paperwork finally fell into the right hands, and so the thesis made it's way from my desk draw to the relevant office, and yesterday a headed piece of paper confirmed that it was done, months after the actual writing and editing and work.
So now I'm not just a jam lady, I'm Dr jam lady! (Wow, wouldn't it be amazing to have a PhD in jam?! Perhaps that should be my next aspiration?)
For all the relief that it is finally done, there is now a huge gaping hole where it used to be. I know people who have spend years battling with their thesis, and when they finish it is with a cheer that they say goodbye to the project, and often to academia as a whole.
I don't have that. I wish I was back at the beginning, starting over again, about to embark on wonderful years of reading and research. I miss it so much, and I want it back! I am beginning to realise that perhaps finishing early wasn't something I should have aspired too, and that I should have spent more time stretching it out.
I have spent most of my life waiting for the day when I would be awarded my doctorate. Pretty much my entire education was planned with exactly this in mind. Now I've run out of plan and I'm at a bit of a loss.
I think I might go home and make jam...
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10 comments:
Wow! That's fantastic news. Many, many congratulations, Dr Jam Lady!!!!
Wow, well done you!!
I guess this part will be an anti-climax, these things always seem to be, begging more sleep than celebration. But you'll carry your achievement with you for the rest of your life, and not only in your new exciting title!!
What did you do your PhD on? Maybe you could do a post doc in jam? ;-)
Thank you for the nice words.
Jumbleberry - Unfortunately the tiredness isn't even phd related, it's crappy job related! Oh well. Wow, a post-doc in jam, that would be so cool. Alas, my PhD is in Architectural Theory. I know, a rather strange pairing with jam!
Congratulations Rebecca!
I have never heard of architectural theory but sounds jolly interesting.
Perhaps the answer is to do another PhD, this time in the history and present of jam making?!
Hurrah for you! I have nothing but ahh and amazement. Now, you have to promise that you'll do like my grandpa (who has a Phd in theology) and demand that medical doctors refer to you has "Dr. Rebecca" when you're ever laid up in the hospital. So what's next???
Congratulations! How excellent to be a doctor after all that work, and architectural theory sounds really interesting. So exciting, and great that you loved it so much - people's relationships with their PhDs always seem so intense as you say, and I know a few people who seem to have borderline PTSD from theirs...! So it's great that yours was so positive.
Bring on the jam, an excellent way to fill the void!
I for one think Dr. Jam sounds pretty cool. Congratulations on completing all your hard work! Now on to the even harder stuff... ;)
I know what you mean about wishing you could start over. I love learning and researching. Some of us are just lifelong learners.
Even if not accredited, you are on your way to a PhD in Jam as well!
Ah, huge congrats - I remember what that felt like. I did move on into academia, then industry then back into academia and I can honestly say that the only time I use my title is when the bank are messing me about. "Well, Mrs C..." "Actually, it's *Dr* C." You'll be amazed (and probably slightly horrified) at how rapidly their attitudes change.
Reseatch into jam sounds thoroughly rewarding!
Congratulations, all of that hard work has paid off. I think it's quite usual to feel a bit bereft once it's all over. But just think of all the jam making and baking that can help to fill the hole. And if you need any volunteers to help you eat it..........
Congratulations! I always knew you'd get there...now it is the start of the next 'chapter' in academia/jam-making.
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