Hi. Next month, I have my third year progression review. At the back of my mind, I'm conscious that that is essentially the point of no return.

I'm doing a Humanities PhD, which was pretty badly affected by COVID- I had data collection trips cancelled. I was really fortunate to be granted a funding extension of 6 months. However, thoughts keep coming to my mind about quitting while I can and moving on with my life.

I'm in an okay position I suppose; I have two out of six of my chapters written. However, writing these chapters has been a real struggle and has taken me nearly three years to get to this point, which makes me feel really behind schedule.The length and difficulty that I've had with them makes me think that there's very little chance that I could be finished within a year, which would mean racking up debt by going on nominal registration.

I think generally too, I'm struggling with motivation. I love my subject, don't get me wrong but I don't really enjoy the writing process. I have no real desire to stay in academia either, which doesn't help spur me to get over the finish line. In fact, I almost regret starting a PhD, as lucky as I realise that I am to have had funding.

So I guess my question is, is this my last chance to get out and should I take it? Objectively, if I were in anyone else's shoes, I would probably say to myself, 'Hang tight, you've only got one year left!' but it just doesn't feel like the end is within sight yet.

With regards to sport, I've also just started a PhD and faced the same issue with being the veteran. In my case, it was actually the same team I played for as an undergraduate and I knew a couple of the guys. I missed the first couple of months through injury and like you, was a bit worried that I'd left it too late but I just asked if I could come to training and they were more than happy to oblige. I did feel a bit older but I feel that every time I step on campus now, haha. Hope that's some comfort for you!

Hello, I've got a few questions about the tax status of being a funded PhD student, which I'm sure will have been asked and answered before. The first one is to do with income; I'm occasionally asked whether I'm a student or employed and I'm not really sure what to put but tend to lean towards student as I've been told that a studentship isn't employment, strictly speaking. Following on from that, I've been asked to do a bit of part-time work at the university's open days. By signing up to their payroll, does that make me employed and does that have any effect on my tax status, i.e. will I need to start paying council tax? As far as I know, being a registered student will prevent me having to pay council tax.

Thanks in advance!

Hi guys,

I recently got awarded funding, somewhat unexpectedly but delightfully. I also understand that the government has a new scheme which allows PhD students to take out a Doctoral loan
of up to 25k. (https://www.gov.uk/doctoral-loan/what-you-get). I think my stipend should be plenty and I have enough student debt already so I am erring towards not taking out this loan but I was just curious to have if anybody was thinking about taking it.

Hey guys, I just found out that I was lucky enough to get the funding! Hope you have the same stroke of luck :)

Hey, thanks for the advice. I called the office and learned that not everybody gets put on the list but that my application is 14th in line. Given that they only give out 60 studentships, I don't think it's going to happen but you never know. Thanks for your help anyway :)

Hiya, I received an email today to say that following an interview, I am on the reserve list for funding for the SWW DTP. I understand that there's no way of knowing how many people are on the list and what position I might be on it but does anyone know whether every candidate that gets interviewed gets placed on the reserve list?
This is my last chance for funding for this year so fingers crossed!