u/Few_Dragonfly3913

I’m nervous! I have my oral defense tomorrow and i a
worried that after my presentation I won’t have anything to say!

The total time for the defense is 2 hours of which 20-25 minutes is for presentation and the rest is the actual defense. I have attended a few presentations where the defense part of it is always closed. So I don’t know what to accept! I have chaged my slides 4 times now, modified my notes it sounds more academic and now I don’t think it sounds like at all! I feel like and sounds like someone else. My thoughts are scattered (if not evidenced by this post😑🙈) and I feel like I will forget all the work I have done!

Any advice!? 😭

This is rant more than advice. But I didn’t know where else to take this.

I just submitted my PhD thesis. I used grammarly to check for errors. Someone recently showed me how they upload thier whole document to grammarly for the same. In the past I have always only used grammarly as an extension on my google doc. So once I finished checking for errors and submitting my work I noticed that grammarly has an AI checker option. I was curious to see what it said. I shouldn’t have done that!!

Now even phrases like the “broader literature suggested…” or “…central to this study” or “diverse needs” or “how educators designed….” were flagged as AI! My study is on secondary education and students with disabilities. These are phrases I use extensively across my dissertation! Furthermore, the report it generated said that work was too organized. I mean that’s to be expected! It’s is PhD thesis for crying out loud! It is read by 2 advisors and revised for organization more number of times than I can count!

I’m worried that turitin and proquest will flag the same thing. Am I being paranoid?

Hi I am 33(F) and I recently moved to Cape Town for work. I haven heard mixed reviews about having health insurance. So any guidance would be great. I have lived in 2 other counties before and this is my first time in Cape Town and I know health insurance works differently everywhere. So where do I get started and what is my best course of action.

Thanks y’all! 🤗

I just submitted an application to a PPC, basically a police verification certificate, and according to the VFS website it says it take upto 28 days to process. Today the lady at VFS said it takes 6-8 months to receive it!

I need to apply for a South African visa as my job starts on August 1st. I can’t apply for it without the PPC from my country. I would really like someone to help me out here. I’m confused, worried and don’t know where to seek clarification.

I think I almost got scammed.
I was trying to sell mh desk and chair and a few other things. I got 3-4 people who were ready to buy the whole thing. I was a little surprised but then I through maybe they need it. I shared my Zelle details. Very normal for me as I have sold stuff before.

This is where everything started feeling fishy. One of my buyers said he sent the money even before I said yes to selling it to him and said that it was sent from his his he’s account. The lady I said yes to did the same. The total for my stuff was $250 and I was like this is weird as to why. But then I thought okay no matter maybe it’s a new Zelle thing.

I got a call form a number stating they were form Zelle and the caller id said the same they wanted me to charge my screen and show them my account number to verify details. I said no. They then said I should download Cash App. Insisted on it and even on Zelle said I should be selecting family and friends and not social media option.

While I cut the call I’m scared that they have myself details which will be hard for something nefarious! I know I was a rather distracted today and almost got scammed but should I be worried about my Zelle details being used for something else!? How do I fix this!?

I am a 33F closed out my credit cards and got onto to payment plan with my bank. I was unable to make the required payment for the last two months and I got a call from a debt collection agency earlier this week. I kinda frustrated. My CC debt is about $3900. Can I settle it for lower price with the collections agency!? Please help!

I’m an international student and have been studying here for the last 6 years. In the last year due to a financial crisis I had to rely on my credit cards heavily and have incurred a debt of $3500. I have an account with Chase Bank. I closed out my credit card to make payments more manageable. But it’s been impacting my credit score. I wasn’t able to make payments for the last two months and I got call from Client Sevices Inc. this morning. I’m not sure if I can ask for the debt to be settled at a lower rate!? I know that’s often an offer given by the collectors but can I ask for it!?

Does anyone how to proceed? Or any other suggestions for a way out of this.

I just met with my advisors and they suggested I reconsider my May defense because they don’t think my results chapter is ready. I honestly see their point, but the timing is what’s stressing me out.

Context:

Proposed: May 2025

Data collection: Aug–Feb (classroom observations, interviews, artifacts like lesson plans)

Writing + analysis done simultaneously

First full draft sent March 3. got intense feedback, but only on one research question

Was told to apply that feedback to the second RQ (which they didn’t review)

I Sent a revised version about a month later

Now, after taking a few weeks to read the revision, they’re saying I need to spend more time with my data and that I may not be ready to defend in May.

What’s frustrating: I had clearly communicated my goal to graduate in May and shared my timeline in advance. If this wasn’t realistic, I wish I had been told sooner especially before I pushed so hard to revise quickly.

What’s at stake is that I have a funded postdoc offer abroad that requires proof of graduation before June 30. If I delay my defense, I likely lose it.

My dilemma:

1. Do I accept their advice, delay the defense, and be upfront with the postdoc advisor (and risk losing the opportunity)?

2. Or do I push hard, revise quickly, and try to defend in May despite their concerns?

Would really appreciate advice from anyone who’s been in a similar situation especially about whether it’s worth pushing through or delaying is better. And why.