To-do for Thesis

OK, I realise I haven't posted anything on my blog or facebook Notes page for a long time, but I'm hoping some people will actually see this (and I'm going to tag you to make sure!). The reason for doing so is that I want you all to help me out with something.

As many or all of you know, I am in the final stages of the Ph.D. from hell. I'm currently writing up my thesis, and have two experimental chapters to go, plus the summary, before I can submit. My hard, very final deadline is April 30th for the submission of the thesis but I'd prefer to be done a little before then so I can have a shot of getting my viva and corrections done in time to maybe make the July graduation period (the deadline to be done is generally in early or mid June for this, and I have to allow a month for my examiners to read my thesis, plus a week or so to do corrections, etc.)

To that end, I have posted below a very very ambitious schedule for what I still have to do, and when I hope to have it done by. Most of it should be very self-explanatory, I believe.

I want you guys to be my conscience. I don't necessarily need constant checks, as that would presumably eat up a chunk of time in and of itself. However the odd poke and prod would be helpful, or a periodic "how are things going". I'll probably also post either in here or on my facebook status as I pass each task listed below. So what I want is to make sure that everyone knows what my intent is. That way, I can't back down. By making it public, I make it much more cast in stone and FORCE myself to get this shit done. So apply guilt, guile, cajoling and so forth as you see fit, but more than anything else, please be aware of this schedule. Knowing that my friends know of what I have yet to do and how much I'm staying on track will hopefully be the incentive to develop the work ethic so long lacking in my doctorate.

Cheers,

Dan

The Schedule (with deadlines):

18/01/2010: Download Raw Data from lab PCs

19/01/2010: Graph existing pertinent data using OriginPro

19/01/2010: Sift out useful data from newly-downloaded raw data

20/01/2010: Graph new data using OriginPro

20/01/2010: Create rough outline for chapter 4 (electrical characterization)

22/01/2010: Have bulk of literature done for chapter 4

25/01/2010: Write first draft of chapter 4, including literature and experimental results

29/01/2010: Prepare graphs for chapter 5 (metastable memory effect) in OriginPro

01/02/2010: Download bulk of literature for chapter 5

02/02/2010: Create outline for chapter 5

06/02/2010: Write first draft of chapter 5

22/02/2010: Fill out chapters 4 and 5 with additional literature if need be

24/02/2010: Write summary

28/02/2010: Complete first edit of work

05/03/2010: Incorporate edits from external people (i.e. any other students, PostDocs, or other friends etc. that are helping me edit)

12/03/2010: Final polishing and checking done

15/03/2010: Submit