Hi everyone, I hope someone can advise me about a short 1,000-word report I have to write.

I'm a third-year humanities PhD who has had some time off (three months) because of illness. As part of my annual review, I have to submit a report detailing what I've accomplished and my schedule for completing/writing up etc.

Does anyone know of a template I can follow or a book on writing reports for the humanities? Any suggestions are welcome.

I had a meeting with three professors via Zoom today and I couldn't get my screen to work. It was like a seance and I was the spirit. My primary supervisor didn't look happy, probably because it's the fourth Zoom technical malfunction I've had this year.

Has anyone else had similar problems? I feel so foolish for not testing it before the meeting.

Many thanks, Nead and rewt; I Took your advice and explained the situation to my supervisors. They were incredibly supportive about the situation and keen for me to continue with my project. They said they would help me catch up on my supervisions, too. I overthought the problem and sent myself into panic mode. All's well that ends well. Thanks again :)

Hi Bob, Thanks for responding. To clarify, my Supervisor advised me to apply for a suspension of studies two months ago. Instead, I assumed that because I had sick notes, and had informed my primary Supervisor of my illness, I could provide medical evidence when I was well again. Unfortunately, that is not the case. You have to apply for a suspension before you take leave - I'm funded by the ESRC.

Because I did not go through the correct procedure, the system did not record my absence, and now I am behind with my supervisions. The PGR Code of Practice states that students who fail to maintain contact with the university are deemed withdrawn after one month.

No one from the university has mentioned anything to me, yet. I discovered my mistake yesterday when I went to apply for my suspension. I don't know how to explain such a stupid error to my Supervisors.

My thesis is due 2024

Hi Everyone.

I'm a PhD student in my 2nd year. I have a disability support plan because of chronic fatigue. A month before Christmas, I began to feel worse than usual because of severe vitamin deficiencies. I told my Supervisor, and he suggested I suspend. I asked the PGR coordinator for advice, and he told me to apply for a suspension through TULIP.

I wasn't well at the time - the deficiencies severely impaired my cognition - and thought it would be OK if I gave my medical evidence later. I now find this is not the case, I should have suspended, and they rarely allow a retrospective suspension of studies.

The question is: what shall I do now? I feel so stupid and think it might be best if I quit.

Hi Bob, Thanks for replying. No, I mean my literature review - it was a piece for my annual progress report. I'm coming to the end of my first year.

I've been nursing relatives during the lockdown, and there's been a few bereavements in my extended family. Because of this, my university department gave me an extension for my written work, which was due on June 30.

Unfortunately, I couldn't get it done on time, and I've only just handed it in, a full two weeks late!

I'm feeling dreadful about it, but with all of my extra caring commitments, I couldn't get it in on time.

My Supervisor has emailed me asking if I've received feedback on the work. I can't respond to him, I'm so embarrassed.

Am I being too hard on myself, or have I really messed up?

I use coloured postcards. It works great for me, as I do History. I jot down interesting research findings according to themes and designate a colour to each one. When I'm looking for something, I spread them out on a table and usually spy what I'm after quite quickly.

Hi Sicily, could you tell me how you got on? I'm in a similar position.The waiting is driving me mad.

I applied in February and was supposed to receive an email yesterday, March 22, 2019, as stated in their application guidance:

"Finally, the applications which have passed the previous two stages are presented to the NWSSDTP Studentship Allocation Committee by the overall pathway lead. This committee will then decide on studentship allocation across the NWSSDTP. This NWSSDTP Studentship Committee will take place on the 13th March 2019.
b. Outcome of Application
Successful candidates will be informed by email by 22nd March 2019. If you are successful in being
nominated for an award, you will be asked to confirm by the 12th April 2019 whether or not you wish to formally accept the award. If you do not confirm by this date, the NWSSDTP reserves the right to reallocate the award.

The NWSSDTP Studentship Committee and the pathway leads will also agree a list of reserve candidates, and reserve candidates will also be informed by the 22nd March 2019. If you are selected as a reserve candidate you may still be offered an award should one of the successful candidates decline their award / fail to formally accept their award.
Candidates who reach the NWSSDTP Studentship Allocation Committee stage but are unsuccessful will also be informed by the 22nd March 2019. Due to the volume of applications, individual feedback will not be available."

I haven't heard a peep, though I know I made it to the 3rd round. Is anyone else waiting, or is it just me?

Has anyone applied for this years contest? If so, can you tell me whether they require a bibliography? I know they accepted applications without them a few years ago.

Oh I see. Do they have any 'shut up and write' sessions near where you live? Perhaps in a local library? A lot of people find them helpful. The pomodoro technique is also a useful writing tool (when you need that extra burst of productivity) though it wont be everyone's cup of tea: https://lifehacker.com/productivity-101-a-primer-to-the-pomodoro-technique-1598992730

Hi Samaylett, I wondered at the statement "But with little money for getting to the library etc I feel I am not getting enough done." Doesn't your institution have a digital collection of books, journal articles etc that you could access?

Pjlu was right. I received my results this morning: 84% for my dissertation. It's such a relief after such a long period of great stress. Good luck to anyone else getting their results this week.

Yes bewildered, that is the case at my institution. Nevertheless, some tutors do tell their students their marks prior to the official release date with the proviso, I think, that they must keep schtum.