I'm at it!

I've been lecturing on a particular courses (without a PhD) for a few years, and I can tell you that no, academics don't generally spend too much time procrastinating over undergrad marks - there simply isn't the time with so many students. I found this out the hard way in the first couple of years, when all my colleagues had finished and I was still agonising over a few percent here or there! Personally, I find it easier to do as many as I can in one day, that way I have a clear idea of what constitutes each grade and I can just plough through them. If I come back to it a few days later I have to read a few to remind myself.

Great feeling when the pile is finished though :)

You should absolutely find out the reasons behind it, otherwise, as you say, you won't be able to let it go. I don't think you should worry too much about how it looks, it's a valid question, and I can't see anyone disagreeing with that. This is assuming you simply ask, and not go in accusing people or being aggressive/defensive (which I'm sure you won't).

Personally, I would go for supervisor in person or lecturer by email. I would do supervisor first, then if no luck, go for lecturer. If you really are worried about how it looks, then highlight the fact you are only concerned because you want to know how you can improve your teaching, if this is the reason. I have to say I doubt it is the reason - much more likely is they want you to spend more time on your research this year and want to give someone else a chance. They have just gone about it in a really crap way.

The new Wii is completely interfering with my PhD work. The Wii fit arrived yesterday, along with Shaun White snowboarding. It's just superb. Might as well jack in the PhD now to be honest. Anyone else with similar wii issues?

I think it's different at different unis, but at my place GTAs are hourly paid and work on an ad-hoc basis. GTFs do the same job, but are on a fixed contract and salary with a certain no. of hours a week.

I feel the same!

Now in second year, also GTA (actually GTF, so a bit more admin :-( and marking).
3 kids - 8, 6 and 1.
Wife who works lots of hours.
Also do a bit of self employed work to pay the mortgage.

Life is just one huge balancing act, involving lots of running around and a few too many excuses. It's hard to concentrate on what I'm doing, as I keep thinking about all the things I should be doing.

Good fun really though, isn't it?! Wouldn't change it for the world :)

I'm starting my second year with 3 kids - 8, 6 and 1. Wife works full-time so it just involves a lot of juggling. My childless PhD friends* can't see how I actually get any work done, but I think you just get used to being very productive in the available time, even if it's just an hour while the baby has a sleep. You just need to be organised and realistic in what you can achieve in my opinion, but it's totally do-able.

Having said all that, my PhD is a very solitary process (which I like). I work alone, and rarely see my supervisors. I see from other posts here that different people have very differemt experiences.

*I say 'friends' but that's really one of the things that goes by the wayside with kids - no hanging around for a coffee. When I finish teaching, I leave straight away for the latest round of picking up, taking to swimming/brownies/flute etc. :)

Any linguists out there using Praat? Could do with sharing some ideas.... :)

I've written/spoken 16000 words of a literature review with it. Can't recommend it enough. As you say though, you would have to read out what other people said. But then if you do that, won't it be written down in the first place? :)

I say do them both, especially if that new one is relevant to your research. Do you enjoy teaching? If so, and if you are thinking of getting into lecturing later, then definitely do them both. Yes, it adds additional time pressures, but just get organised and think of the bigger picture.

As for no. of courses, I think they try to keep it to 2 different ones max, otherwise the planning gets a bit of a burden. They also try to give you the same courses each year, again to reduce the time needed.

I have to say that I get treated quite well where I am, but then I'm a GTF rather than a GTA. Having said that, the facilities I get remind me of my true status regularly! :(

6 hours a week, although it is arranged as 12 hours 1 week, none the next. TBH teaching weeks can end up being a wash-out for proper PhD stuff, but I enjoy it, it's good for the CV, and it helps pay the bills...

2nd year Social Sciences

1) no idea

2) once every couple of months. Sometimes I wanted more, but usually it was fine.

Can't find it Olivia, have you got a link? Could be useful for me....

Thanks

I'm not writing this to say 'look at me, aren't I great' but rather to see if other people want to talk about things going well. The forum understandably contains a lot of moaning, which is absolutely right (and I use it for the same) as it is a good place to get advice when things aren't going so well. Just thought it might be nice to redress the balance slightly on this lovely sunny day

I'm one year in now, and things are going really well. I spent a lot of the year worrying I was 'missing something' as I found the year demanding, but never negatively so. I would spend days, up to a couple of weeks without touching the thing, but then when I did, I was very focussed. I teach, I have 3 young kids (who I see a lot), and I design websites to pay the mortgage, but I've managed to juggle these things well enough.

I came through my first year review panel well, and they have no concerns. I'm going to take it easy in August and am looking forward to next year, which I know will be more difficult, but hopefully equally manageable.