oh yes, I think that everyone on this planet is more conscientious and productive than me. But then my boyfriend reminds me that I work at home on my own so I notice how unproductive I am. If I was 'at work' how many hours a week would I be working hard; how many half-heartedly; and how many would I be chatting, making tea, going out and getting snacks, commuting, emailing bla bla. And so, quite wonderfully for my esteem, he usually concludes that I probably work more and harder because I am a) on my own and b) seeking to counteract these feelings of guilt...

I think its an interesting thought.

pamw - do you have a hunch about where this is going? a hypothesis of sorts? This helps show where you are coming from and going to - even though it is obviously up for question hence doing the research in the first place. Is contradictory but they like it...

joyce - you can really keep it all a secret? That's so cool - I have had the same sup for my Masters and now PhD so didn;t actually realise people did this! In my intro I will blurt the whole thing out for clarity then they can 'keep up' better and anyway, I want to show off how exciting the project will be!

I know that I can't work anywhere but home too. I hate feeling 'trapped' or obliged to stay in a place like the library... I like to work on my own too. Because I have my freedom here I do sit at my desk alllll day! My routine is to be at my desk from 9.30 - 6 every weekday apart from if out exercising/getting library books. Productivity is sporadic though. *Sigh*

My sup is the opposite! If I don't point out where the thesis is going in the intro my sup tells me off and says that no one wants to be kept guessing and that the work isn't meant to be a labyrinth with a big surprise at the end!

Interesting...

sneaks what a gorgeous dress! If my boyfriend were to make an honest woman of me I would be sorely tempted by that dress. I haven't seen any like it so far - all my friends have been super traditional with big skirts and trains. The simplicity and 'prettiness' of this one is just lovely...

I do have a top and a dress with an empire line and they do look nice. I have noticed it depends on the material - the light floaty material in the dress I mentioned earlier didn't give it enough weight to stop it floating 'outwards', making me look very pregnant!! Heavier material tends to be better?

Well well done sleepyhead and its nice to hear a positive story. Two different experiences can only be helpful.

If you haven't any background in it it would be that hard sleepyhead - political science is really competitive to get into and most jobs need masters level... Also I dida Bsc in anthropology with politics modules and two years of volunteering, applied to a decent uni in the UK and only scraped in! Trust me, it's hard. And when you start, it is so scary if you know nothing! How can you compete at Masters level in a subject you know *nothing* about against people who have done it for three years, and -double whammy - can therefore prove their commitment and aptitude to the topic? I am not saying it can't happen - in fact I have advised to the contrary. It won't be snap-your-fingers easy though!

I meant a year of independent study and some volunteering just to get on a masters course...

Hi there
I work in the field of International Politics... You are unlikely to be able to get straight onto a political science PhD unless you can show considerable transferable knowledge from your previous degrees... which seems unlikely? You may be able to get onto a masters course but even then you will have to show some kind of dedication to, and knowledge of, the subject... Maybe a year of some independent learning re: political theory etc, and some volunteering will help you on your way.

HTHs

thank youuuuuuuuuuuuu!

I don't know. I know that there are special way days and stuff for ESRC funded only peeps but am not sure about courses in general. I am sure this kind of info will be made available by your course/dept secretary when you sign up - or you can look on google.

Hey there

I did an MA and then the PhD and I have found it much easier to slip into than my colleague, who is a mature student and very bright but came straight from his bachelors. He hadn't heard of or had to grasp certain concepts that we all could take for granted and had a lot of reading to catch up on. His analytical skills were a bit lacking too. However, he is doing just fine and really enjoying his course! Maybe if you went straight to PhD you could ask your sup what kind of reading you may have to do to catch up over the summer? Generally though I think it is relative - do you feel up to the job? If so, go for it!

No, I think it is unique to each research council and uni how much they offer for training etc. You said that your sup has monies he is happy to use to cover conferences and stuff so go with that - you don't want to seem too greedy! I just assumed you were ESRC.

I don't know about your uni but at mine I also get £750 worth of 'research training grant' which I can tap into every year and get conferences reimbursed, travel and accomm for them, books, photocopying, even a laptop... Anything to do with my course basically. Maybe this is what your sup means by 'his funds'? Is very jammy... (am ESRC funded btw - I assumed you were too as we have the same stipend for next year...)

If you look on google LSE have a comprehensive list of other entitlements for ESRC funded peeps.

how do you customise it??