If you are serious about it I would look into taking some years out to get experience like research assistant job to try and help your chances, if this is feasible for you.

Hi awsoci,

Thank you so much for this advice. I'm also from social sciences and have started to incorporate video clips and discussions. I think my main problem is the speed that I talk at. Overcoming my nerves and learning to talk slowly is something I really need to work on.

Thanks again :)

I have tried, it did work quite well in one lecture but in last week's they weren't really willing to engage. My uni have a compulsory training course before you start teaching but it isn't really that useful. I looked into doing a PgCert-well the academic equivalent (PgCAP or something?), but they wouldn't let me do it alongside my PhD as they said it was too much work.

So I've been doing my first few weeks of lecturing and I feel so disappointed in myself. It hasn't put me off completely, I love the idea of it, but so far I have been struggling to make the sessions last for a full hour (sometimes I have only been 20 minutes!), and some students have also said that they cannot hear me. I'm being observed next week (it was my request before I started, nothing to do with my performance), and I'm now terrified.

If anyone has any tips/advice for improving lecturing skills that would be great.

I can't offer much advice as I am in the same boat! Me and the OH have no idea what will happen in the future when we qualify and possibly end up with different jobs, in different countries.

Basically when we got together we had a discussion and we decided to enjoy our time together while we're studying (we are in the same uni), and worry about the future when it happens! It's naive I suppose, but I just assume that if we are serious enough by the time we qualify and get jobs, we will make it work by either working in the same Uni, or making a go of it long distance.

I know it's scary. I've heard of couples who do long distance and then end up together in the future, but it's very testing on your relationship.

This reminds me of when I first started my PhD and I thought I was something special, I was dating a guy (granted not a very nice one), who got so sick of my boasting and constant dominating of conversations about my PhD, he said to me "why are you talking down to people all the time? Right now you're on a scholarship that's less than minimum wage!"

Perhaps you are right and I can see that. What I don't like is this idea that just because WE think we are so privileged, that everyone else does. Not everyone in life wants to do a PhD.

And I am one of those people that is being judged for their jobs, because before I got onto my PhD I worked 60 hours a week as a carer wiping arses for a living. I was no less intelligent back then than I am now.

I'm going on precisely what you've posted, which for the most part has been snobby and very offensive. For example, a PhD indicates a decent upbringing? Are you for real? It's not all upper class people born with silver spoon in their mouths who get onto PhDs. Some people work damn hard working two or three jobs to get to where they are.

And as for "I'll never find the right person in retail", well that's probably lucky for you because you might find that outside of academia, you're not a big deal. Men aren't put off by women doing PhDs, they're put off by people who have attitudes that they are above others because of their job.

I'm glad at least some people on here are not so judgemental!

My boyfriend is also doing a PhD, but funds his studies working as a waiter. Does that mean if I had met him in his place of work first, I should have dismissed him? Did you ever think about people like that before you dismiss them as unintelligent and unqualified? Having a job doesn't change who you are and nor does it dictate whether or not you deserve love.

Wow there is so much arrogant bull on here!! You'll probably remain single if you place yourself above others and start judging other people for having different jobs to yourself. Just cos we are studying for a PhD that gives us no right whatsoever to think certain people are beneath us. I have dated guys from all different backgrounds, guys who worked in computing, plumbing etc. and I can tell you I found them highly intellectual and very useful as they could do plenty of things I couldn't, for example fixing my boiler!

People have a preconception that if you're doing a PhD you're a bit snobby and narrow minded. Don't feed that stereotype, be humble. And OP, just cos there are no single people in your dept right now, doesn't mean there won't be in future jobs at different universities. Love happens when it happens.

I've never heard of this! It's so wrong! It's bad enough that we don't even get paid for publishing!
Can your university reimburse for the fees? It shouldn't really come out of your own pocket

So a while ago I was having a dilemma about potentially changing supervisors because he was unresponsive and hostile when I tried to bring it up with him. All is good now as I did change supervisors, but I think I have figured out what the problem was and I'm just so mad and need to rant!!

I think I said before, my friend is also his student and *very* close to him. A while ago when we were both his students, she asked me if I would come with her to his house because he asked her over for dinner and she wasn't comfortable going. I didn't want to be involved or know any further details, so all I said was no. But when I recently had a catch up with her and told her about my change, she told me that she had actually asked him could I come to his house too, because she asked him before she checked with me and realised I didn't want to!

It sounds to me as though he thought I had a crush on him and that's what made him so strange towards me.I know it's best to forget it and I am so happy with the new supervisor, but I really wish I could clear my name!! I also wonder if him and my friend are going to get into trouble if they carry on like this. Either way I guess I'm best off steering clear and keeping my mouth shut?

Echoing most others, I struggled to secure a scholarship and it was a case of just not giving up. I think I was successful on my fourth attempt at securing funding. Just before this happened I was starting to accept my fate and I had been saving up working two jobs to save up and fund myself. I applied for a part-time self funded position, was successful, and then applied for a scholarship at the University which I successfully got. Some universities are more likely to offer certain funding if you already have a place with them.

Another piece of advice I can give you, is depending on what subject you're studying in, publications make a massive difference. In the three years I spent trying to secure funding for a PhD, I also worked on getting my dissertation published, and one of my jobs was a research assistant which got me a further three publications. They can really make a difference in some fields.

I've got to be honest, people who come straight from undergrad to PhD make me feel quite bitter. Don't get me wrong, no one had the right to make you feel beneath them or that you don't deserve to be there, but for me I worked two jobs for three years in "non academic" positions before I could get onto a PhD so people who manage to get there straightaway do make me envious. Also the postgrads in my uni who came straight from undergrad I find very disrespectful, I think it's the novelty of now having people who used to be their lecturers now being their colleagues, but they're always gossiping and bitching about other members of staff.

I don't think you deserve any ill treatment like I said, everyone's route to a PhD is different and some people look on others as having it "too easy", which is probably why people are being like that towards you.

Just echoing what everyone else has said really, your supervisor has no reason to be jealous of you. It sounds as though he is trying to keep you focused on your PhD work, before you start thinking of future projects. Also if you are funded, most universities prefer you to spend the majority of your time on your PhD rather than on other work. I would listen to his advice.