I've talked to other academics about the motivation issue, and none of them confessed that they struggled with it too. Maybe they're just covering up. What do you think?

In a strange way, it's comforting to find that you're not the only one who is having trouble with motivation, although in the end I guess we can only answer for ourselves! That's the scary part of the PhD, accountability. Before starting the PhD, I imagined myself totally immersed in it, but the reality has been quite the opposite! I end up finding 101 things to occupy me, and none of them involve my PhD. This is terrible! It's funny, because when you talk to other non PhDers, you paint this picture of being completely consumed by your PhD.

I'd say my computer has been a major culprit, and my telly in the evenings. If only I'd just worked a couple of hours each night, I'm sure it would have made all the difference! Well, I suppose there's no point in reflecting on what's already gone. The only thing I can do now is look forward. I get so frustrated with myself! If I actually did the work, I wouldn't sit around panicking about it! Arghhh!

I can't believe how quickly time passes on the PhD! You think it's going to go on forever, and that you've got plenty of time, but I'm amazed at how quickly it flies past. Before you know it, another year has gone and you've got very little to show for it in relative terms. I think of how much I could have accomplished this year, and I just cringe at the reality of the situation. I'm just trying to work out what the hell I've been doing when I've not been doing work!

Apologies everyone--I know that there have been thousands of threads like this one, but I just wanted to vent somewhere! For the past month or so, I have done so little work that it's embarrassing. In fact, this year has been dreadful in terms of productivity. I kind of had a panic this morning when I realised how little I've done. Maybe it's an 'end of year' kind of worry as you realise that a year has passed and you've been a lazy bugger! Has anyone else had a lazy year? Do you think you can bring it back up to speed if you go at it hammer and tongs for a few months? I'm planning to catch up over the summer months and work solidly to make up for my slackness!

How often is everyone in touch with their supervisors? I don't think I'm contacting my supervisor enough. I see him about once a month, and I thought this was pretty standard, but I spoke to someone yesterday who hadn't had a meeting with his sup for three months. If you don't see them, do you email them regularly? He's so busy and I don't want to monopolise his time, but I would also like to build a good rapport which comes through regular contact.

Are you intending to remain in academia and become a lecturer? The reason I am asking is because it may be a waste of your time doing a PGCE. During your PhD, you will have opportunities to take accredited teaching courses which prep you to teach at uni level. It seems like quite a long road, PGCE then MA then PhD.

I got accepted to do a PhD at one of the most prestigious unis in the country, with a 2.1 (undergrad) and a 1st (masters). If you're going on to do an MA, much of it will hang on your MA results really. I wouldn't suggest going straight from an undergrad to a PhD, though I know it happens often. The reason is that it can be quite a drastic leap for those who have never written an extensive piece of work, whilst doing an MA you will have completed a thesis of considerable size, which will prepare you more for the demands of the PhD.

Jola, I actually think it's nice to see another PhD student being honest about their lack of motivation. I have a terrible time with motivation, but can't talk to any fellow PhD students about it, because they're not open about things like that. If you're an open person who doesn't disguise your true feelings, it invariably follows that people will denigrate you, even if they're going through the same things themselves!!!

Yeah, me too. I start the day with the greatest of intentions, and then get distracted by 101 other things. Before I know it, it's 5:30 and I have only read 25 pages of my book! My lack of motivation is reaching its critical phase now. No matter how hard I try though, I can't seem to get motivated! This has been happening sporadically since I started the PhD, but I'd say the last three weeks have been the worst time in terms of how much I've actually accomplished. The trouble is, the longer it goes on, the harder I'm finding it to get moving!

That caused much resentment from the other students, as we could see something was going on between them. She was getting loads of help from him at the time, and he wasn't bothering to help any of his other students anywhere near as much. This is when it becomes a problem, when the academic is actually your tutor. We were all so frustrated because it was blatantly unfair.

Oh, sorry I didn't clarify! When I said it affected her marks, I mean she received preferential treatment, and was given much more support and encouragement by said supervisor/boyfriend.

I'd say go for it then. Yeah, see where you're coming from, but there is no such thing as anonymous marking. The tutors already know which topic you've chosen for your MA dissertation, as you've agreed it with them, so it's impossible. Anonymous marking doesn't actually exist, really.

If the academic in question has nothing to do with you academically, I honestly can't see how this is a problem. After all, it's only natural that you're going to be attracted to like-minded souls, so there's nothing irrational about being attracted to an academic if you're a PhD student. On the other hand, I suppose you run the risk of things going horribly wrong, and you feeling uncomfortable in your department. Other than that, I think this is perfectly normal (if the person is not connected to your work). I did, however, know a fellow MA student who was dating her supervisor, and she (and he) were looked upon badly, as it did affect the marks she received for her work and her future prospects. That still pisses me off to this day!

Nice to know I'm not alone with this. It's really been bugging me. I find it so much easier to not put myself in situations where I'll be faced with this uncomfortable feeling, so like you spacey, I study at home most times. Olivia, I tried the ordering water thing, and it was even more embarrassing! The barman told me that in order to stay there, I had to buy a drink!