The Australian Association of Writing Programs

It's a question every PhD student hates. I had an epiphany about it recently: I realised that the response I usually feel is called for - a painfully honest assessment of progress against my timetable - probably isn't even necessary. People ask the question as a conversation-opener; they are nodding in the direction of an all-consuming preoccupation, not initiating an interrogation about whether you're likely to finish on time. It would be sufficient - and more pleasant for both parties - to recount some recent triumph, like finishing a chapter or sending off an article to a journal.