Don't worry about lack of knowing when you are meant to be there! I'm due to start at Queen Mary and the department, college and university all have different ideas about when I am starting my PhD- annoying when you are trying to sort out accomodation!

From talking to other PhD students, I have learnt one thing. BACK UP EVERYTHING! Everyone has brands they prefer, I'm in a similar position to Manfred_symphony but I know that there already is a laptop waiting for me, but we are advised to use it as a home computer rather than a home-Uni-home computer. I am thinking of buying a netbook with good memory and light so I can 1)use it for my own document e.g. itunes, pictures, etc 2)I can work on the tube journey home.

I've heard to stay clear of Dell. I have just looked at a mini inspiron on the Dell website, and the so called "expert" was 100% sure that Dell don't sell netbooks/minilaptops anymore. In fact, she was 100% wrong! But everyone has a horror story about a particular brand of laptop, I know people who's laptops broke within a matter of weeks (that's where I was told to stay clear), my Sony Vaio has gone through 2 optical disk drives in the 3 years that I have had it (sony replaced both), but apart from that it's been a good computer!

Could you possibly wait until you start your PhD to determine what you actually need the computer for?

Please bear in mind this was during my bachelors degree when I lived in noisy halls of residence. I downloaded a classical music album from amazon (~£2) and loaded it onto my ipod. When I had my ipod on medium volume, I found that the music enabled me to work through the noise of people around me at the library or where-ever I was studying. It works with music that doesn't have lyrics therefore you concentrate more on the work, that the lyrics.

Hi, I started a thread a while back about advice for new PhD students:

http://www.postgraduateforum.com/threadViewer.aspx?TID=18291

Which College are you starting at in October?

I spoke to a friend who is a PhD student, who told his landlord that he was a research assistant- So I'm thinking of saying that instead!

======= Date Modified 12 Jul 2011 11:54:20 =======
Just a little question: Do you get tarnished by the "student" label when it comes to looking for flats,etc ???

The reason I ask, is that I am currently room hunting around East London and a lot of agencies and landlords will not touch students even when you explain that you are a PhD student. Is it just people's ignorance towards the stereotype of students? If it is, it is very annoying!!!!

There are still fully funded life sciences PhDs being advertised on here! Certainly in the next few weeks she might get contacted by supervisors that have previously rejected her because their 1st choice student didn't meet the minimum requirements so looking for a replacement student. In the pass week I have received 2 offers for PhD interview- just keep trying and don't give up! There is always January 2012 intake to consider as well!

Don't give up with the applying for studentships; those people that already hold PhD studentship offers will find out in the next few weeks whether they have made the grade, if they haven't they appear on here!

======= Date Modified 18 May 2011 15:35:17 =======
Basically I am hoping to start a 4 year PhD (in parasitology) in September and I just thought what advice would you give a PhD student in their first year of study?

Thank-you :-)

I was interviewed back in January for PhD, it was a 2 day interview straight after my January exams (I'm a final year UG). People were sent home after the first day and those remaining went to panel interview. I got through to day 2 panel interviews and made a mess of my presentation (which was on IVF- chosen by the centre). I was emailed the following day telling me that I had been unsuccessful; I'd got speaking whilst waiting for my panel interview to the PhD co-ordinator so I emailed her asking if there was anything that was pointed out about my interview. Basically it boiled down to nerves.

I was interviewed last month and I tried to keep the interview at the back of my mine because I was presenting my data at conference and I had revision for my finals, and looking back it was the best interview I have ever had! I was much less nervous! So much so that just under 2 hours after my interview I had a phone call offering me the PhD studentship :) I have since found out that I was the only undergraduate interviewed that day and that I was the wild-card during selection for interview.

That "High competition" is a generic quote they always say. Since you have spoken to the supervisor, ask whether there was something in your interview that they didn't like, etc. Best of luck :)

You see I have informally accepted the QMUL offer; when I first got the offer I was waiting on the outcome of a chat I had with a supervisor a few days before so I had to make them wait and then I finally accepted the QMUL offer as the other PhD had no funding. Just waiting for the college offer now...

Yes I am at least going to see, although if they don't pay travel fees I'll think again given I have just received a quote for a train journey for over £100 return I'll be rethinking accepting the offer for interview!

======= Date Modified 04 May 2011 09:58:15 =======
Helllo!

I have accepted an informal offer with a supervisor from Queen Mary's, UoL about 2 weeks ago. Yesterday I received a email invitation from St.Andrews to interview for a PhD within their school of medicine, in a different field to what I have worked in.

I'm tempted to reject the St.Andrews invitation because of my informal offer.
Could any one advise me?

Well I was advised to apply for as many PhD's (that i was interested in) as possible but I think this is more because I am still an undergraduate competing in the postgraduate market.

I think in total i applied for 16 (4 of which are still pending), interviewed by 5, and offered a PhD last week.

Possibly look at rewording personal statement if you are still struggling. And don't give up hope, I've been looking for a PhD since September and I have only just got offered a PhD.

Yes so would I, I have an offer for a funded PhD in Biological sciences

Yes I am accepting it, I'll ring the supervisor on Tuesday and accept the offer. I just need to make sure I get the 2.1 required. Which college are you starting at?