I am applying for funding which will mean 150 hours teaching p.a. as a requirement. I often see this in adverts too. What does this entail usually? Teaching, as in assisting undergrads? Teaching here and there? Do they really count every hour? Sounds a bit daunting for me.

Ok, I am feeling a bit better! I have kept the date, rather cancelling my other one. I also have to register that day and my meeting will be in the afternoon. My Prof. is very nice, friendly, approachable and he is doing similar research to mine and wants to integrate his into mine, a miracle really. My research will be what I did my MSc dissertation on, so I know the field but I need to read more about fMRI as I have no clue at the moment and will be using this. My stats is rusty, so I have to brush up. I have also had an email from him today with a funding opportunity he wants me to apply for. Full fees plus £8000p.a but I must teach 150 hrs a year, which sounds a lot to me. So, he has sent me a proposal he made himself for funding and told me I could use it with adjustments. Ok, I keep telling myself I can do it and I just need to stop thinking perhaps, shew, what a whimp! I will probably get another wobbly before the 18th, so be prepared

oooh, ok, I shall try and calm down. I have had to ask for the date to be changed, which hasn't helped my nerves. I had a prior appointment that day. I think my big problem was taking a year out and although I have been doing some reading, etc. I feel like a dunce now. Ok, deep breath, I am going to try and calm down, do some reading and preparing. I have two weeks to calm down and make notes. My interview was so much easier as I didn't know it was one, thought it was just a friendly chat about my proposal. Thank you everyone.

It is a meeting to discuss my PhD. I have a unconditional acceptance to do a full 3 year PhD. This is to make plans and discuss the proposal etc. Also to meet this second supervisor.

It has arrived. I have just got an email from my Prof. calling me for my first meeting with him and my 2nd supervisor whom I have not met. I feel ill, honestly. I have butterflies and any doubts I had are now multiplied, magnified and tripled ten-fold. I can't even bring myself to reply. Did anyone else feel this way or am I totally a paranoid wreck. I feel thick, incompetant, out of my depth, nervous, you name it, I'm feeling it. It is on the 18th. Why didn't I settle for an MSc and staying at home with the children.

Kollantai, I am 41, just starting my 3 year full-time PhD. I don't feel 41, I don't look 41 and I don't act 41. These days you don't have to put down your age on anything, everyone is afraid of being in trouble for discrimination. It is only a matter of time when the academic world will catch up and no longer be allowed to discriminate on age. I am definitely not going to let it stop me, I don't put my age down anywhere and I let people meet me first. Of course you can do it, otherwise you might as well put your slippers on now, whilst I grab my running shoes

cash-puppies are due 4th September, she is HUGE, all belly and hardly any ShihTzu!! Wish I could post a photo. She likes to roll on her back and now she keeps losing her balance and looks like a flailing toad! It is also getting close to me carrying her up and down the stairs, well, I have to look after my assets I just hope I have the heart to actually sell them, husband is getting concerned as I have already named two little girls

Oh jolly good for you two, well done! No fighting, be nice!!

Now....about sharing with those less fortunate

This is a very great, encouraging and inspiring story, shani, thank you for sharing. Anyone else have something inspiring to say, please say it as there are a lot of starters like me (I'm sure?) who really need to hear them, however small and insignificant they seem to you.

Great News Verdy

Thanks Corinne, I really needed to hear this today
It's funny, in reality, I should feel down when everyone else gets funding but it actually makes me more excited to push forward and know that one day, I will also be posting here about my funding
Nope, I am not going to give up, I have too many little and big people here at home cheering me on and all of you as well.
Thank you

Oh well done Corinne, fantastic news

Thanks dazed, the more I read about the 'home-workers', the better I feel. I also went through the website and found a place that actually states 'There is no weekly attendance requirement for either mode of study as the University recognises that many research students will need to carry out some part of their research away from the University, e.g. libraries or in their place of work'.

I am only starting my PhD in September but have been preparing myself for it for 18 months. I couldn't imagine going into a PhD without a passion. If it excites you, drives you and pulls you then that is the direction. I come from a poor background but I could never let money drive me, personally. I think you need to think about what your heart says as well as what you would like your bank balance to say, just my 2p worth
PS
I have a BA Sports Science degree and I am doing a PhD in Neural Ageing and Exercise and I am definitely glad of my MSc and BSc background as well, not sure if I would cope without them.

Hi methuselah
I am 41 years young and I start in September with my PhD. I just wanted to encourage you to go for it. I don't have funding yet but I am not giving up, even if it means borrowing the money. Age is just a number, what you do with it, is your choice Imagine enjoying retirement as a 'Dr methuselah'