Well, I've submitted my upgrade. I'm really not happy with it, and I'm almost certain that it will be rejected and I'll have to make amendements etc.

As this happended to anyone? ie failed an upgrade? I'm just really struggling to stay motivated. Constantly dealing with pushy rude staff (non supervisor) and demanding and very critical supervisors are who probably think I'm a complete moron. I can see it in their faces that their not happy with me! :( I'm not thick at all! (I've got 2 MScs from top unis, publications and experience) but it wears me down after a while! My confidence in myself academically and personally is low anyway, after doing this course, its virtually nill.

I'm ok when I'm working from home, but its only when im in the office do I feel like this.

Just hope it gets better soon!

Hello!

Sorry for the-yet another rant-I'm having serious thoughts about quitting!

I'm in my second year, and really dont feel like I've got what it takes! My supervisors are very critical at all my work and I'm just feeling deflated, stressed and wondering whether this is going to be worth it. My project is unique and could have important influence on how things are regulated for BEM groups. I think my sups are regretting taking me on!

I've written nearly 50k of my literature review, developed my own toolkit etc, and started fieldwork on my focus groups etc. I've also just come back from doing fieldwork for a non phd project. but I'm seriously wondering whether I will pass my upgrade :(

I just feel like bursting into tears! Does anyone out there have any tips on surviving a slump?

I was told that she would be moving into my office. They've moved my desk (with all my piles of work on the desk) and all its contents by the door. All of my work/boxfiles/books were left in boxes under my desk. She's moved into my old position, set up all her notices around that desk, and used up all of my old bookcases. Her initial preference (although she's not admitting to it!)was to be located by the window away from the busy corridor (where I'm located now).

Now I've complianed, she's offered to change things back. As she's made herself feel settled, she's manipulated it so that I would look like the person whos causing inconvienence if I decided to move back into my old position. She's also said that if I wanted to move back to the way things are, I have to consider that she's part time (I'M FULL TIME!) and that moving things back will likely to be problematic for her. I've been told to fit in my stuff around her stuff; ie to use the remaining desk, bookshelves etc.

Im a 2nd yr PhD student and am the only registered student in the unit. As there is a shortage of desk space in the unit, a member of staff decided to move into my office. Whilst I was doing fieldwork, for the project shes managing (ie non phd project) shes taken upon herself to move my desk which was by the window, boxed up all my folders and books, and decided to move her desk by the window, meanwhile my new position is close to the door. I remember her saying something about not wanting to be near the door. I was not consulted at all, and was upset that I wasnt given the choice. I felt there was the assumption that 'shes only a student, it doesnt matter'. I ended up writing a formal compliant and discussed this with the director.

Would you feel annoyed at this? I was in that office for over 6 mts and feel that although I was on fieldwork, someone could have left me a message! I'm now wondering whether I should have bothered!

Im a 2nd yr PhD student and am the only registered student in the unit. As there is a shortage of desk space in the unit, a member of staff decided to move into my office. Whilst I was doing fieldwork, for the project shes managing (ie non phd project) shes taken upon herself to move my desk which was by the window, boxed up all my folders and books, and decided to move her desk by the window, meanwhile my new position is close to the door. I remember her saying something about not wanting to be near the door. I was not consulted at all, and was upset that I wasnt given the choice. I felt there was the assumption that 'shes only a student, it doesnt matter'. I ended up writing a formal compliant and discussed this with the director.

Would you feel annoyed at this? I was in that office for over 6 mts and feel that although I was on fieldwork, someone could have left me a message! I'm now wondering whether I should have bothered!

Hello

Just wanted a bit of a rant really!

Anyone else out there struggling with their PhD?! I'm just feeling really run down, tired and shattered as a result of juggling all these aspects of my life! Trying to get my upgrade report in, worries about passing my upgrade (and feelings of I don't deserve this position!); dealing with very critical pushy supervisors; office politics of being the only student in my department (shunned aside/choices withheld-'coz im only a student); marking essays; dealing with weekly seminar teachings, trying to cope with a devatsting breakup and coming to terms with that (even though we're still as close as ever); organising my own pilot finally, conducting fieldwork which is not completely relevant to my PhD!

Arrrrrrrrrrrghhhhh! just making me wonder why I am putting myself through it! I do enjoy this PhD, it does have its perks but, boy, its tough! :)

I should find out whether I've passed after I've submitted my report

The other PhD students said I presented really well, clear and that it was a very good project-whether that's true or not I'm not sure.

I have 6 weeks to write up my upgrade report. I've written over 50k for my literature review, 5k for my methodology section and pilot results. This is why I feel like I've let myself down. My supervisor said it was a shame as she and the rest of the academics knew that I knew more than what I presented which was a shame.

The panal were not critical about my work at all, but suggested on including additional methodology approaches to the existing ones.

I just presented it badly, rushed through it and my nerves got the best of me. I know theres no excuse for it, but loosing my partner has really had a bad affect on me and I see this course as the final nail in the coffin.

Anyway, there's nothing I can do now, it's out of my hands!

I've just had my upgrade presentation, and I've really let myself down. I was nervous, I rushed through it and quite frankly did not do myself justice. My supervisors even said that they knew that I knew more than what I said. At least my upgrade is not just about the presentation, its about a report as well.

I'm feeling really bad and just feel like dropping out and quitting. Really don't think I'm good enough for it.

Questions were about suggestions on improvments for my methodology rather than the content, but it's not making it any easier. My fellow PhD stuedents who also had an upgrade, thought it went very well, but seeing their expressions on my supervisors faces and the positive enthuasism for the other projects, I really have mucked it up.

Sorry for the rant :(

I did an MSc in Research Methods and this really helped my application. It also meant that I could obtain the +3 ESRC funding.

I'm also 26 and graduated in 2003 with a 2.2 psyhology degree.
a) I have a 2.2 degree and it hasn't stopped me from obtaining a PhD position which is relatively well funded.
b) I found that they are not expecting you to be an expert in the field of your PhD area. However, what really helped my application and during the interview process was to have relevant experience which directly related to the PhD area. They were very interested to see and hear about my research experience. I also made sure that I was familiar with some of my supervisors publications-just to show that I had an interest in the area.
c)Usually, PhD students start of as an MPhil student anyway and upgrade to a PhD (I've got mine in a few days and i'm seriously nervous about it!). I don't think there is much of a jump between MPhil and PhD candidates, apart from the duration of the course and the huge thesis at the end!

Forgot to say-Congratulations by the way :)

I've got to do a 45 min presentation on my phd AND submit a 10k + proposal (which is currently 53k at the mo-eeeeek)

Hiya! I've got mine at the end of this week. I'M TERRIFIED! It looks like I'll have half the department attending :( :(

why oh why, have I put myself through this!

I had my mock presentation a few weeks ago and both my supervisors said it was fine...I'm already feeling ill with anxiety :'(

Hello!

Well, I have a 2.2 degree and managed to win a PhD CASE studentship, over applicants who had a 2.1/1st degree.

I do however, have relevant research experience, publications and 2 relevant MSc degrees from top unis.

All I can say is that some of us have managed to get onto PhD courses without the minimum criteria of a 2.1. I think I was extremely lucky to get this position, and although I'm capable of this work, I really had to fight for this position. Hopefully when I've finished this PhD, I can put the dissappointing 2.2 behind me (I only just missed the 2.1; but it hasn't stopped me from getting onto courses at top unis and relevant jobs!).

Good luck
x

I'm in my 2nd yr and I have these occasions where I have a serious dip in my confidence levels and seriously wonder what the hell im doing here! My supervisors are constantly giving me work, asking my advice about things, I've created my own toolkit from start, I play a major role with the bigger project (my phd is linked to it), get loads of daily interaction with my sups, but I can't help but wonder if they think I'm up for it! I have my upgrade soon, and I'm really nervous about it. I'm finding it really hard to focus on my PhD as I tend to get pulled in to help on the other project. They have however, used all my suggestions for particular measures (quantitative and qualiative measures), and some of my lit reviews for the projects and publications...but I feel like someone could do this much better than me!

I work relatively hard 8am-4.30 Mon-Sat (sometimes)but I'm just finding it so hard to juggle 2 projects (phd, one i help out with) and my seminar teaching. I feel like such a crap teacher as well which doesn't help matters!

:(