Thanks a ton. Will keep that in mind

*Trumpet Sound..
Finally beginning my second year PhD, and I am more terrified than excited.
Should I be more terrified?
Words of wisdom anyone?

Thanks Teek, reading this actually made me feel like you were talking to me, so I just started with my First Year Report. The report is literally due in a week and I have been procrastinating all month(few months actually) and been hiding behind Lab work and reactions in the lab so I wouldn't have to physically sit down and get on it. I couldn't name the feeling but 'paralysing fear' sums it up quite well. Th fear of not writing things down with technical words rather than the not-so-technical words like 'thingy' and 'that thing', was written by 'that person what's-his-face'. More so I have been trying to impress my Supervisor, and the constant need to be perfect is actually driving me insane!

Again, procrastinating, halfway through my first sentence of my report I thought I should vent and here I am , calling out to anyone out there who can offer sympathy , encouragement, or a can of whoop-ass!:$

I dont know if this helps but I was PhD hunting for a year and half before it worked out for me.
I was looking for Funded PhD scholarships and well I found a topic I was interested in on FindaPhD.com and I was told it was a self funded position , so I applied to the Uni for a scholarship, and I received it about 4 months later.
I knew what topic I wanted so I didnt have to right a research proposal and have to handle my living expenses.
Check out the site, It worked for me, so I hope it works out for you too!

Home is Dubai, so Its quite a distance, hoping I can make a trip make home in acouple of months , 7 months later hopefully.
But you're right, joining this forum, makes me feel soooo much better.
Thanks for your post !

I was reading a thread on this forum , regarding PhD's job hunting- be it lecturing or industry , and it got me thinking that I could ask those who have completed their PhD or those who are half-way there, for Advice on what would really help newbies like me to add to my Resume in the future.! Since Im in a science field, does volunteering at organisations help?
Altho i still have about 3 years to go , in the future , I would like to be a part of the industry doing Research
Anywhoo, everyone is welcome to give me and other newbies ...tips!
There's no harm in planning ahead..right :)
Thanx

Ok I Just started with my PhD and reading this post is actually Terrifying!! I assumed the Job scene is much easier post- PhD!
I'm hoping for a research job in the industry, but then again its Three years down the line!


Back to you :) I wish you tonnes of luck! (up)

Another day in the Lab , and Im getting to know my colleage i.e. Another PhD Student , He seems to know everything about everything. He doesnt act superior but his past experiences in organic synthesis reactions Pre-PhD at various laboratories- Pfizer, GSK and more, really make me feel inadequate as a new PhD Student! He knows so much practical stuff( laboratory related), Pre- Phd (He just started his PhD 4 months ago so he's kinda new!)
Being New, I have to lean on him and a few others to show me around.. and arrrgghh, I really dont like asking for help (Yes yes, Im getting over that! Kinda have to!)
Its just that , I know there is lots to learn , and that im up for, I love to learn, its just that its more stressful when your colleague who is the same age know so much more, and I fell like an Idiot around him!

Hi TennieV,
I was unemployed for nearly 2 years after I completed my Masters degree, coz of the economic situation and Although I have just started with my PhD, I have been thinking of ways to improve my 'luck' after I complete my PhD.

Thanks, coz, now I have something to think about that could just be my Answer - Planned happenstance article! Its really got me thinking - in a good, less stressed way!

Grrr.. I couldnt do it either! Bah!

:-) Thanks algaequeen. It helps to know Im not a weirdo. and that there are people out there with long distance relationships too. I was never for long distance rels, coz I prefer to have that person with me ..around me ..or just near me!
Funny thing is I used to be the kind of person who walk into a room and say Helloo gooodmorning everyone..over here I dont do that coz people would just think which weirdo dropped in!!
At the moment Im focrusing on myesearch and Im giving things time to unravel I guess (Myself Included):)

Grrrrr I feel the same!!! I just didnt know how to put it out there!! N now theres another one just like me!
Sometimes I think people just dont get !

[quote]Quote From hackademic:

I have been at uni for 8 years. I'm in the 3rd year of a PhD that on bad days I feel like no one but me finds interesting. Friends are getting married, having relationships, settling down, doing new things, BEING ABLE TO AFFORD NEW SOCKS! I do the same set of repetitive tasks every day. I teach the same dull-witted students every week. I see the same people. I am in the same city. AH! Brain explode now...

And at the end, what do you get? Debt? Signing-on for unemployment benefit? You feel at the same time massively older and more stressed out than some of your friends, yet also immature and lacking life experience somehow.

It's just madness.

Oh Satchi I think Luv u .. right about now ! :)
I really needed this pick me up. and I stumbled across this site and needed to vent, hence the unorganised original thread .
I dont need people to make me happy , its normal to want to have friends aropund, Im giving them time to come to me :)
and honestly I could do with some. But as you said, I have begun cooking, baking too - Just made a batch of snickers and peanut butter muffins (Yes I am uber proud :)

Hiya, Im confused too.. so i dont really know if I can help at all.
I just started my PhD. (APRIL) and I sometimes doubt whether its all worth it, 3 years of slogging, away from family friends, and everythin I know.
Why dont u talk to a career guidance counselor, he/she could give u options , that could help?
Atleast you wouldnt worry so much and then focus on your PhD research. right?

I dont think you're screwed up, maybe you just need to sit down and think things through, better yet , talk to someone and the solution could be a lot clearer.

Let me explain from the very beginning, oh well, its a long story so heres the short version..Just left my family behind, not to forget my boyfriend , then left the country to travel to the UK to start my PhD.
This PhD is a scholarship which I have been applying for , for nearly a year and half, this finally came through! I was ecstatic, jumping all over the place, shouting it off the rooftops because I was gonna start my PHD..

NOW..
Its just been a month so far, and I have just started on my very first reaction today, up until today I actually considered leaving and catching the next flight back home!!
Being the Interntional student doesnt help, and since I joined in April, people( Undergrads and postgrads) are jus busy with exams and my fellow PhDs are busy with their own research!!

Its Like being surrounded by people yet being alone. I have always had friends, made new ones, but this time its just different, My family isnt here , neither are my friends, and in short This sucks!!!!
2 years and 11 months to go ..
Im exhausted of plastering this smile on my face, when inside Im just Sad.
:$