Hi Mark, thanks for the words of support! It's given me a different perspective I hadn't considered. I am indeed working towards the dissertation now. Thanks again.

I don't really know if anyone can help me here but I think I just need somewhere to vent. I'm six months into my Masters and have reached that point now where I've finished lectures and am expected to study independently for the remaining time. I received a low mark yesterday for one of my assignments, having received fairly high marks thus far, so to achieve such a different grade was a wake up call. The fact that I worked so hard on the assignment frustrates me even more. I've received feedback off the tutor so I can see where I've gone wrong now.

I've only got six months to go on the Masters but part of me feels that if I'm this stressed with it all now I don't know how I'll cope with the remaining crucial period. The bad mark was exacerbated by being spoken to rudely by a staff member at my uni on the same day. I think more than anything, though, yesterday brought to the forefront how low I've been feeling. The last six months has drained me, as alongside my Masters I have jobs and a lot of commuting to do. I think the stress has just been building up slowly but surely. I know there are many other people in similar circumstances but they seem to be able to deal with the stress much more efficiently than me!

So I suppose what I want to know is what have other people have done when they've gone through times like this. I apologise for the hyperbolic nature of this post but I just feel so frustrated and lost. If anybody has got some words of wisdom they would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you, that's really helpful! I would say the same to you, but I doubt there is much I could help you with. It's good to 'speak' to somebody who is researching in the area I'm interested in, though, so I do appreciate the advice! I hope the PhD doesn't get too stressful, and that you resolve the issues you've been having with your supervisor.

Thanks, Zutterfly, that's all so helpful! I really appreciate your advice. The world of PhDs has always seemed like such a minefield to me, but you've done much to quell my fears.

Hi Ian,
Many thanks - I will take a look at that now.
Becky.

You certainly have! It's incredibly useful to talk to people like yourself, to get the real low down on what studying for a postgraduate is like.

Oh no, I'm sorry to hear that. I've heard similar things from other people. Someone I know may have to pack in his PhD, as his supevisor has refused to continue helping him, and without anybody able to help him with his very specific topic area it's left him in the lurch. I do hope you manage to get it sorted, whatever has happened. Well, that's good to hear, at least. How does the marking system work at at PhD level? Is it simply pass or fail, or more complex than that?

That's great to hear; my potential research areas would more than likely be of value, in that case. I suppose with Education, it is one of those subjects which is generally of value regardless of the topic. Ah, great, I suspected the MRes would help me a lot to strengthen my research skills. I chose it as I knew it would be more suitable for a PhD than an MA.

You're similar to me, then, in the sense that I have worked during my Undergraduate (around the time my two dissertations were in I was particularly busy at work), and during my Masters similarly I'll be working in 2 jobs. So hopefully that should prepare me for the workload, as it seemed to you. That is very true! So do you work while you're doing your PhD, or would you say that is completely off limits? I know many compare it to a 9-5 job in itself.

I completely understand, yes! I wouldn't expect you to disclose any particulars. Funnily enough, Higher Education policy is what I am hoping to concentrate on myself, should I be fortunate enough to undertake a PhD. For my MRes thesis I am leaning towards focusing on Widening Participation strategies. I'm really glad to hear you've had a relatively positive experience - it certainly fills me with hope. It's nice to hear a constructive outlook.

That is likely, thinking about it. I should imagine a PhD can be very stressful at times, and I suppose when somebody asks you what it's like it's easier to recall the negative aspects than the highs.

That's good to hear - many thanks. I am hoping if I succeed highly in my MRes (preferably a distinction in my thesis at the very least), then the 2:1 will be overlooked if it is indeed an issue. I can see how a strong research proposal would bear stronger weight. I'll admit that during my Undergraduate I didn't work very hard (too much partying and working hard in my part time job), so fingers crossed if I focus all my efforts on my postgraduate I should achieve higher.

That is all very reassuring, actually! The people I have talked to have instilled me with a great sense of fear, frankly, but I've remained determined to do a PhD still. I'm glad to hear ability is not necessary too much of an issue. You see, I got a 2:1 in my undergraduate (English and Education Studies) degree, and I know a lot of people who do go on to PhD level secured a First for theirs. Fortunately, from what I've looked at, most PhDs seem to accept a 2:1, so hopefully I should be okay. I think in my head I was concerned that I'd struggle more than those who were high-flyers with their top degrees, and also that I'd struggle to secure funding in comparison to them. What is your research area, if you don't mind me asking?

Oh, fantastic, thank you so much for your help! So are you doing a PhD in Education now then? How is it going, if you don't mind me asking? My academic ability is another concern, as I've only really heard negative things about undertaking a PhD! I know it will be a challenge but I don't want to be another drop out statistic, should I be fortunate enough to secure funding later down the line.

Hello,
Apologies if this has already been covered in another thread, but I have just signed up to this site. I am currently due to start an MRes in Education at my university, and am already thinking ahead to further study. I am seriously considering undertaking a PhD, if not immediately after my MRes then certainly later down the line. However, my knowledge of PhD funding is incredibly thin. I am the first person ever in my family to complete any sort of degree, and I have talked to very few people who have studied for a PhD, so I have no idea how such things work. My concerns have only been inflamed by warnings that obtaining funding in the humanities and social sciences is nigh on impossible. Could anybody advise me at all, or point me in the direction of a contact where I could find out more?
Thanks for reading,
Becky.