This is a longstanding conundrum for most of us in research - see my thread 'Intellectual Stinginess?' and the responses I received from esteemed forum members. I would think it would be most intense at the point in our careers when we're performing solo, and getting grants etc. on our own. Down the line, collaborating in groups *should* make this less problematic... as by then people would have their own established individual reputations.

I'm sure you'll be keeping a lid on your best ideas from now on, however. ;-)

I've finally found out about this. Mine has been confirmed and it's all fine. Hope this is the case for others.

x

Well, Plju, I am not in a typical position, as I'll simply be starting a second MSc in October as my current one is not accredited by the PhD funders so I have to do another one that is. I find this OK though.

I think some people get accepted on PhDs based on what their current supervisor writes in their reference re: their expected Masters grades. Or am I wrong?

I am writing my current MSc dissertation up while working full-time. I will be starting a 1+3 MSc & PhD in October so there is much reason to stay on track time-wise.

Often I find that I don't see much progress with my reading and note-taking and writing (e.g. in a literature review), as I have this dreadful habit of initially trying to include everything in the world in the first draft. This stems from a fear that if I don't include everything that might be only tangentially related then I might miss out on an incredible link between two things. Therefore I often don't make decisions about relevance until at least the second draft. While I've always got very good marks academically, I sense very strongly that this is an inefficient way to go about things and increases my work burden and thus my life-work balance goes to s**t.

Lately, for mental health reasons, I've been working on using present-focused mindfulness and awareness to stay in the moment and I am finding it cuts my stress levels at my day job. I also do some half-arsed meditation. I am finding that my ability to make decisions about whether some information is relevant to my question is improving. What a relief! Using the pomodoro technique and scheduling fun events for my free time also helps this.

But being able to bring my attention to the fear I feel when I don't understand a bit of a paper, and being able to just notice the emotion but not let it dominate my actions is beginning to show great effects and hopefully lower my procrastination levels.

Has anyone else found such techniques or others useful? I am aware this sounds very esoteric, so apologies. Also I fear that my thread title will inspire spam from someone selling a spurious cognition-enhancing milkshake, so sorry about that also if it happens. :p

I know that she is generally splendid, KB, but in this instance she is being an imbecile. The whole point of emails is you don't have to reply to them until YOU decide. Emailing someone is like leaving a message on their voicemail, or leaving them a written note. The whole point of it is time-shifting. She must be stressed out to have responded so peculiarly.

xx

Anyone had their confirmation of funding for this yet? It's an 'early August' thing, I believe...

So the Council Tax discount... how does it work? (I have studied part-time for years but am full-time from October thanks to a studentship.)

If you live with someone (e.g. flatmate/spouse) who is not a student, how do they go about administering the discount to the usual sum for the house or flat?

Not sure what the twaddle above me is, but anyway, avanti! to Natassia...

I'm going through similar, Natassia. Gonna start a 1+3 in October, but still have to finish my current MSc dissertation before then, and I'm working full-time as the studentship obviously doesn't kick in till the autumn. And I'm working bloody shifts!

It's been quite a while since I've been in a relationship and I do really want to be in one but I've no idea how I can finish my dissertation, work full-time shift work and do that over the summer, so my love life's on hold (yet again) till the autumn. I've been working and studying for 4.5 years just to be in this position to get actual funding for what I want to do and that's basically why I've put my love life on hold.

But I absolutely know now that the moment the 1+3 starts I am going to treat it like a job. Office hours only. I want a love life. One of the most thriving PhD students I know does it that way. Someone on PGF also once wisely said that if you look at a lot of successful academics they actually do have quite balanced lives with family and hobbies and such. I know that in my own field there is a very accomplished guy who is also an actor in his spare time, and a very accomplished woman who is well known for not only being a dancer, but teaching dance also. Oh, and they are also in committed relationships. So it's possible.

I do think that those among us who are worriers would do well to remember that worry time is wasted time. It could be used to work or have fun instead. But we have got into the habit of using it to worry, which is ironic since we are worried about wasting our time. We must stop!

Here's to balanced lives for one and all!(up)

Extraordinary.

Gotta say Sneaks, I love that you're livid at a wood pigeon! It's as ridiculous as when I shout at a fly, telling it to "f**k off, w**ker!"

Thanks Danielsage

Now you have said early August I have something to fixate obsessively on. (up)

Ogriv
x

I've got a Je-S account but it's rather inscrutable right now as to confirmation of funding. My institution say things will be fine, but it's nice to be certain!

Seems like she will be allowed to continue to supervise me. I have a second sup lined up who will continue to be internal. She's a conscientious person and I know her a bit through other people and trust her, so I think I will get a good deal. Her other supervisees seem happy.

But she would have been teaching a key module on the MSc component of this, and I don't know if the current uni is going to replace her. Our theoretical standpoint is quite marginalised, so I am quite worried about that.

Anyway, will speak to her on Friday....

Nice hat yourself, Sneaks! (up)

I am to start a 1+3 quota studentship this autumn, which is great. My supervisor-to-be, however, has just emailed me saying she has accepted a job offer at the other end of the country. This means her supervision will be largely long-distance, though the uni will apparently pay for her to travel down and meet me regularly.

There is the option of registering at her new uni, but I think I want to stay with the original place as I'm happy in this city.

I am meeting with her on Friday to talk through how this will all affect me. I am a little worried, in that our subject is quite interdisciplinary and I'm not sure how many more on our 'team' actually exist at the university. I do know a couple of other students there who use the same theoretical framework and are her proteges, so I won't be the only one...

Anyone else had this type of thing occur? Before the start of studies?

I would second the recommendation for Andy Field's book. Also, Statistics Without Maths For Psychology by Dancey and Reidy is good. It is aimed at psychologists but does teach the basic concepts very well.