Morning Rycekakes,

I think this kind of thing might be fairly common. I am just coming to the end of my first year, and while the work is exciting (still), the isolation is very difficult.

Stories of the lonely researcher abound. So when I decided to do this PhD I moved in with a small group of my closest friends. I thought that this might sidestep some of the isolation I had heard about. It made it worse (I think). While my friends are very supportive, they do not understand the intensity of the work. I spend almost all of my time in the office at uni, or at my desk at home. I can not help but think that I am neglecting them and they have slowly stopped asking me to go down the pub, watch a movie or take a football down the park. Sometimes it feels that I am surrounded by my friends but completely alone.

In addition, I have had some problems convincing my supervisors of my approach (although, to be fair, they are probably just challenging me). I have become inarticulate, convinced I am stupid, I have been unable to sleep and have become convinced that everyone hates me. It is difficult to talk to my friends about this because it simply makes no sense to them.

In the other hand, I take a quick look around forums like this and see that everyone, at some point, has gone through this. I see this as part of the process. We are engaged in an intensely stimulating and intellectually challenging practice. We are exploring lines of thought that quite often challenge the way we think about ourselves. It is uncomfortable and terrifying. It is also rewarding.

The question is - is it worth it. We have chosen to undertake profoundly challenging projects, both intellectually and emotionally. We each have our reasons for making this choice. But it was a choice when we started, and it still is now. If it gets to much, stop. Move on. Perhaps come back and continue in the future. But do not let it damage you.

Many times I have thought of stopping, but have not yet. The thought of not doing my research is slightly more uncomfortable than the isolation. In the end, the idea that I could stop, stops me from stopping. I will stop there.

That is exactly what happened to me. Thanks for the suggestion. I think I am going to have to. I also have a charge for late rent payment....and my landlord can be quite intimidating.

My Supervisor has already been on the case. He was able to ensure that I did not have to pay a penalty fee for tuition. He can't do much about the stipend though. Everyone is trying their best, but one hand does not talk to the other and.........well.

I mean, it is great having funding. I would not be able to do this otherwise. But things do get desperate when it is the only source of income.

Thanks,

maybe a box of Quality Street could do the trick. Everyone I have spoken to already seems to waiting for someone else to tick a box, and it means no one is able to do anything.

Grrrr

Hi All,

have any ESRC funded students had problems with their uni's not paying the stipend on time? I am the first ESRC funded student at my uni and it seems that they have not put the systems in place to deal with my payments effectively. I am receiving warnings from the finance department telling me I will be penalised £100 for late fee payment, while they acknowledge that ESRC have already paid this quarters money into their account. I am also accruing a string of bank charges for bounced direct debits because my stipend is nearly two weeks late.

Any advice would be great.

Thanks.

Congratulations!

UEL

It looks like the results are starting to arrive at the departments now. Just been informed that I was succesful!

Good luck to everyone else!

Any news yet?????

Hi Phdnewbie,

from the top of my head it worked something like this. Of the 85 who had A+ proposals the 65 awards were given to those that met the ESRC priority areas. They were economics and anything that had advanced quantitative research elements. Mine was neither. I seem to recall that ESRC have now decided that having priority areas is not helpful, Quota awards tend to be focussed in this way anyway.

The statistical info on ESRC awards is all very old, the most recent is 2005. Although I am committed to my research topic, it would be useful to know where the funding is actually going and have that inform my proposal.

The agony will be over in the next few days for us anyway.

Good luck!

Well last year there were over 1000 applications in total. For the 1+3 award there were around 450 eligible applications and 65 awards. I was in the 85 who had A+ proposals.........but were not awarded the funding.

I assume the numbers will be similar this year (or maybe less).

I hate this waiting......

Just got my results. An A+ proposal, but unsuccessful.

Good luck to those still waiting.

Sorry to hear that. Its a tough competition. But you are right, a whole year to fine tuine your proposal.

Good luck for next year!

Yeah it is. The results are out in about 2-3 weeks and its doing my loaf in.

And I have just realised the title of the thread is a little misleading. Sorry to all those who hoped to find a pot of gold at the end of this rainbow.

I know it's early to be bringing this up, but I am chomping at the bit waiting for the ESRC Studentship results.

Does anyone have any success stories I can compare my proposal to? Yes I know its meaningless, but it will make me feel better.

Thanks.