This helps very much thanks.

Hello all,

I really would like some input from others. I am starting the third year of my PhD and I am looking for ways in which I can boost my confidence and drive in terms of publications and conferences. I am thinking of starting by attending a conference which is a small conference and requires a one page conference paper. This will be published in a booklet (but not offically with a conference journal). Is there any issues with starting with small conferences and working up towards larger ones?

I look forward to you comments and experiences.

Thanks.

======= Date Modified 07 Apr 2011 22:15:53 =======
Hi congratulations!, I would really like to hear some top tips from you and I am sure others will too. Always good to hear a success story.

======= Date Modified 07 Apr 2011 10:23:02 =======
CathS, you post really is very true for me too. This really summaries how I feel at the moment too. It's a strange feeling, I feel good that I have the chance to make a difference and at the same time increase my knowledge. The problem is at the moment I can't see how I will pass the PhD, even though I daily coach myself to believe it will be a success.

Also, does anyone feel like the things they are stuck on are easy and they feel they should have passed it all by now, or is this a research illusion?

======= Date Modified 07 Apr 2011 10:19:50 =======
Just ready this thread has been a roller coaster, on one side it is a relief to see that I am not the only one who finds certain aspects difficult and on the other it is sad to see the difficulties to you are all having. I can really relate the PhD formula by Teek and think it is spot on. Does anyone also feel like they have forgotten all the important topics and information from there degrees before there PhD, I have this horrible feeling that it will be those things that will come back to haunt me, does anyone else feel or understand this?

Also I notice that unfortunetly the formula for PhD student also drags into my personal life and I have to work really hard to fight it and stop it from affecting my life our my PhD.

By the way, it has not already been mentioned and I an not sure what all your faiths are... but prayer also helps me get through it. Also having been in industry I also try to work like its a 9-5 job (sometimes difficult), which helps me to allocate time in the day with my family, exercise, etc.

Also, lets all try to think of it this way... lets say to ourselves.. "NO NO NO, I will not allow this PhD to ruin my life and my health (who do you think you are PhD? you don't own me!), you might make me stronger, but you will not make me weaker! Mr/Mrs PhD you need me a lot more than I need you!"... phew now I am tired.. I need food :-)... umm meat a two veg please (turkey)(sprout)(sprout)

I try also to remember what a research consultant once told me.. she said "Would I do a PhD again... No way... Am I glad I did a PhD... absolutely". :-) keeping smiling. And keep yourselves well fed (sprout)(turkey) (I just wanted an excuse to use these icons.

Thanks Awen, I can really relate to you about remember that you are much more than a PhD... that is just one part... I also strongly recommend doing charity work, exercises etc (all in moderation of course :-))

The thing I found is that I not only now question my ability of my research but on the subject area as a whole. Does anyone else experience this?

Hi all, what can I say... one and half years into my Phd and its nothing like I expected to be at this stage. I expected to be much further forward, however I feel I have gone backwards. In the past I have just managed this by working harder and longer, but this does not seem to work on the PhD. I still feel a million miles away from any conferences/journals. My supervisor seems so relaxed about it all, but I cant understand why?

What I am trying to do now is when I feel myself spiralling down say... STOP!!!! is it really worth it? Even if I put in 110% will I be better off than I am now and what will I jeopardise by doing so? The idea of taking a day off (or even more) I would agree with. Maybe go away somewhere for a few days (without bringing work with you ;-))

Hope that helps.

Hi Sandian,

It sounds like your are in a situation that does really meet your expectations and I hope you can pull through it and come up better off in the end for it. I also did some modules in the first year, but only ones which complimented my research. If funding is from an external source you could mention that fact that your are losing out on meeting the demands of your external stakeholders by losing too much time doing modules which is not contributing to your PhD.

Is everyone in your course doing the same? Maybe talk to some of those in the third/fouth years to see how they managed and got through it. Maybe they can give you some advice?

All the best

Not being this far into my PhD, I can't comment too much about the completion phase. But here are a few pointers that hopefully will help.

1) Just think of how far you have come and be pleased with yourself that your made it this far. Have a big smile about it :-)

2) Try to set realistic targets for each day (dont think, I need to this, then this, then this). Have a day to day plan i.e. today - review 20 pages, tommorrow check 20 reference, etc. To finally reach to the last day and end target

3) I pray to our creator to help me thoughout the day, you could try praying or if your are not a religious person, try yoga or something every morning to help relax you.

All the best

Hi Rick, firstly congratulations. I know you are four hours in to your holiday, but can I request something which might help others to learn from your experience.

Which subject area were you looking at? How long did the PhD take (and was is shorter or longer than your expected)? What is your top 3 tips for a successful PhD? What's you basic plan after your holiday :-)

Don't worry if you don't want to answer the questions, but we often here so many stories about problems people have on there PhD so its nice to hear some success stories too.

Thanks and all the best in the future?

======= Date Modified 31 Jan 2011 15:32:03 =======
I always go for MS Project and found that most universities have the software available to students (expecially staff and PhD's), its easy to learn, use and modify and if you know how to use MS office can use it and adapt to it. Just ask you IT department about access to it.

Also, most places in industry (apart from heavy project management places) use MS project, so its software worth learning for academia or industry in my opinion.

Hope that helps.

Thanks Sre292, thats very helpful, the only problem is I don't know when Edison said this, I am 100% sure that it was not 2011 :$

Although I am a little away from my Viva, I found the DVD with Stephen Potter's book (Doing Postgraduate research) very useful, there are students on there talking about their viva experience and advice from 3 examiners. There is also advice on how to deal with questions from an author of the book on the subject.

Hope that helps, all the best.

Hello all,

Does anyone have any guidelines or advice on how to reference a famous quote in the thesis, i.e. a quote like:

"Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.
Thomas A. Edison"
(http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/t/thomas_a_edison.html)

I look forward to any input, thanks.