The annual review

So, it was with trepidation I faced the prospect of the annual review this afternoon. Most sensible students (which is not a category I find myself in) would have quite happily stuck to their original intention for their PhD to get through the annual review; chart progress, show development, list clear followed through intentions. Oh no, not I. I decide one week before the main event to change the direction of the research - giving my supervisors precisely 20minutes to get to grips with the new direction before we are faced with selling this to our reviewer. Give them maximum credit, they rose to the challenge and didn't throw me out along with the new proposal. Instead we had an excellent discussion about why the change in direction and if I am honest I think it actually helped with the review; I had to really defend my decisions - quite rightly. 


I seem to have done a fairly good job as there was lots of smiling and they have allowed me to both progress and in the new direction. YIPPEE! I just need to write up all of the paperwork this evening and get it off to them.


I have had some tough supervisions in the past but today's was a definite success, At one point I could hear myself talking about my project and I thought, you have really thought about this, you really care about this and you sound like you do. Good feeling. I did have to stifle a giggle at the end when the reviewer noted that she found my enthusiasm for the work infectious - I am always accused of being enthusiastic - sometimes when I don't even realise I am being. I can be quite a cynical bugger internally but I have the outward persona of a possessed bunny rabbit on speed. Secretly I am enthusiastic about this project though, because it is great. Just shhhhhhhhhh.