Hey,
As has been said, it depends on how you like to work. I tend to work at home for practical reasons (uni 2 hours away) and if I have a definite deadline then I really appreciate the quiet and having everything to hand. On the other hand though if I don't have a clear focus or deadline then I find it quite easy to become demotivated and lose momentum. Being out of the loop with other students, department and admin staff is the major disadvantage in my experience. I suppose you could go in a couple of days a week and work at home the rest of the time? Good luck ;-)

Achieved the goal of doing some exercise - tried my first Body Jam class! Good but not as good as Zumba - that's great fun! I've organised my follow up study for Monday. Have decided to go to library tomorrow as want to get as much redrafting done as poss before sup meeting next week. Supposed to be gorgeous and sunny as well - need to watch that don't fall into the "I'll just study in the park" trap 8-). Have a lovely weekend everybody!

Photocopying done! Have finally admitted that am not very productive working at home and now in library. Much better! sneaks - am very impressed at your busy day and now have a total craving for some yoghurt :).

This thread is such a good idea as I got up early and now it's 10:30 and realised have spent a couple of hours faffing about on Internet - well, that's the computer warmed up! So having a couple of goals sounds like a good idea. Here goes:
1) Do redrafting that sup suggested
2) Photocopy
Here goes...

Don't feel too bad - I just watched "Loose Women"! :) I'm only 5 months into it but the motivation seems to come in waves as far as I can see. I've gone from trying to stop myself boring my friends about my research in the pub to having to force myself to think about it then back to boring lots of people again. So don't worry and brace yourself for the next wave!
I don't know if this is any help but as I work part of the week it helps me to structure my study days the same way - I set my alarm for the same time and work till 11 - have a coffee - work until lunch - damn that's 2pm, lunch over! Only joking, not quite as rigid as that but that and a to do list are the only way for me to get things done. Hope you get your motivation back soon and have a nice weekend!

Hi,
When you're getting started on your work for the day - what tune fires you up and gets you going? For me at the moment it's "Dog Days are over" Florence and the Machine. What about you? Or do you have another way of motivating yourself to get started?! :)

Thanks so much for replies - just wanted to know if it was fairly normal! Missing out on the student network is a real disadvantage of working at a distance and do feel like I'm not getting social side of experience. I work as well so don't really have time or money to go up on a regular basis. I suppose it was my decision to go to that uni (based on supervisor) so I should just get on with it! :-)
thanks again x

Hi everyone! Just joined after reading and enjoying lots of threads. I'm looking for a bit of advice: I'm doing a Phd at a university which is a wee bit away from me (2 hour train journey). I tend to work at home and as a result my desk etc has been reallocated to another student. I don't use any of the uni's resources and mainly communicate via e-mail with sup. I've paid my fees in full and just feel it's a lot of money to pay for just a monthly meeting. Anyone else in a similar position?
Cheers!