Revised timeline

I had my first unofficial meeting with SV to discuss my ideas regarding my prelim @ potential prospectus topic. She seemed to think it was OK, which I thought was really good news! At least I can start narrowing it down. She also gave some useful pointers as to what to expect for the prelim paper submission. I had initially thought that I had to submit by January 13 2012, which is a very close deadline considering there's only two months left. After today's meeting, my SV convinced me that is an unrealistic goal. So for, only one person from my batch (from Fall 2009 intake) anyway has decided to submit their paper in January and that is because she has to go back to her country by that Fall 2012 (gila kan, hantar sambung study PhD tapi bagi 2.5 tahun je nak habiskan semua!). At least, my government is not that bad. He he he. I still have officially two more years to go + an extension of one year. 

Anyway, after the talk, this is the revised deadline is:

1. Submit prelim (latest before summer 2012, maybe around February send in a draft, then properly submit by March/April)

2. Sit for my comprehensive exam in Fall 2012

3. If I pass my CE, defend my prospectus in Spring 2013 (my fourth year)

Rupa2nya prelim deadline is dependent upon when you want to sit for your Comprehensive Exams. There should be a gap between the submission and sitting for your CE because you will be asked to do some corrections for your prelim paper, and have to submit it before sitting for your CE.

I realize I've been pressuring myself needlessly by comparing my timeline with other people's schedules. Ideally of course I should finish in four years, but that's difficult or near impossible to do in the US. Secondly, PhD program very much differs according to the program you take and the school you are going to. Different schools have different requirements. People say it's not uncommon for pure sciences to finish in five years. Well, for social sciences also it's very difficult to do complete in four years, but there are people who finish on time because their PhD route in their school is more flexible. The important thing is to keep yourself motivated, and to always remember that PhD is a very individual path, and at times very lonely but also very much dependent on how you decide to embark on the road and how you handle your challenges.

I know what I have to do. I will try my best to do it.