At the end of 2018, I had a last-minute idea to use an A5 notebook as a weekly to-do book. The notebook was just a…
After several years of sharing my PhD Dreams with you, it is now time to share my PhD thesis! After all, it is only fair that you…
It has been a long time coming, but I am finally a doctor. Oh yes, I am now officially Dr Frances Ryan. The PhD kind…
Regular readers will know that my PhD Dreams have been an important part of my life for a few years now. And excitedly, my PhD Dreams will…
That’s my final thesis submitted and all of the paperwork completed for my PhD graduation on the 4th of July. Are you as excited as I…
I am very pleased and extremely relieved to be able to (finally!) announce that I have passed my PhD viva – and with only minor…
Today is Thursday, 21 February. I was born on Thursday, 21 February. And on this very Thursday, 21 February, I am 21 in Scrabble tiles.…
February is letter-writing month, which means I will be writing a letter a day for the whole of February. Regular readers will know that I am…
As is tradition, a new year means a new resolution. Generally, my resolutions are set as a way to focus on self-improvement in realistic terms.…
As 2018 winds to a close, I find myself reflecting on the year and how I’ve fared over the last 12 months. And, as always,…
And with that, my Marcothon days are over. Yes, I have failed in my attempt to run every day throughout December. But at least my attempt means…
I ran today. And I will run tomorrow. And the next day. And, if all goes well, I will be running every day in December.…
As any regular Just Frances reader will know, my PhD Dreams began a few years ago. And my actual PhD studies began nearly five years ago. And now,…
As thesis season continues, I am starting to feel more and more confident that I will manage to complete my thesis without (too terribly much) stress. And…
With August now upon us, I am aware that only three months are remaining for “thesis season”. And that is a scary realisation when I…
Wow! It is the 1st of July already. And that means that my PhD thesis is due in just four months. Yikes! Of course, that means that…
At the start of the year, I set myself a gentle running goal: A simple sub-30 5K. I chose the goal because I knew it…
Part of my plan to climb Arthur’s Seat (at least) once a month in 2018 is to explore different parts of the hill. So whilst I generally…
I submitted my first post-PhD life job application today, which I am counting as a milestone moment (hence the celebratory bubbles illustrating this post). The…
Today was another climb up Arthur’s Seat, as part of my goal to climb the hill at least once a month for the whole of 2018.…