... is today! I'm kinda scared...!

Welcome on board and enjoy your first day. Good luck!

Good luck, let us know how it goes!

hey..its my first day today...so i can imagine how you must be feeling...good luck with everything...hope it all goes well..

It was my first day, non event really.
I registered, which was my quickest ever, then went to IT to get my details, and then the library. When I went to my department, everyone was at lunch, so I had to wait for 1.5 hours! I was later shown our computing room, and given keys & good luck! Have to wait till Wednesday before anything will happen.

Ooh, how exciting! You will be fine I'm sure. Interested to know how it went

Thanks Wicked. Maybe the postgradforum team should allow a newbie to start a blog, so others in future can see what we all did.

My first two days have been strange so far, just been reading some stuff and getting lost a lot! I'm plucking up the courage to ask my supe about whats expected of me in terms of hours.

I think the postgrad team should give all new PhD students a mouse mat. And all old ones one too!

On my first day, wanting to appear enthusiastic, I arrived at 8.30am. At the door of the lab, I saw all the biological hazard, GMO and authorised entry only signs, so I sat in the stairs outside until someone came to escort me in. Slackers didn't show up until almost 9.30am and when they did, they asked what the heck was I doing in the stairwell, and I why hadn't I gone in and made myself a coffee? Turns out nobody pays any attention to the warning signs...except gullible little me!!

Just about to see my supervisor to see what she expects, panic attack central!

No panic attack necessary - although recognising that this meeting could set the tone for the rest of your PhD supervisions is important. Relax and be realistic. Don't promise too much early on - if you do more then it is a bonus. This is not meant to be a negative comment, rather a word from someone almost completing, who knows the tremendous value of a supportive supervisor-phd student relationship. Good luck!

My supervisor has put the meeting back till 11.30, and I have calmed down. It is the realisation that this is all real, at the momment everything is sureal. Thanks though hillyg.