I was awarded AHRC funding in 2005 and I didn't hear until well into the August. I'm in literature. The best warning I was given was - if it's a big envelope you've got it, if it's a little one you haven't. But that may have changed - I won't accept any liability if it's the other way around! Good luck everyone!

Only you can answer those questions. Personally, I too have trouble communicating my ideas on paper, but I think that's because I come from (and remain in) a heavily working-class background and my vocabulary can seem rather limited when compared with other researchers from a more University-orientated background. My PhD has never caused any problems between myself and my partner. We met during the final year of my BA degree, went out while did my MA, and moved in together two months after starting my PhD (during this time I was working too) rennovated our house two years ago and are getting married next year. I'm very lucky in that for the last three years my PhD is fully funded and the fact that I can treat it as a full-time job means that I can work the same full-time hours as he works, so we still get to spend time together. I have loved every minute of my PhD, even when it's been stressful or scary, and to be honest I'm dreading submitting in October as it means it's all over!

Hi I've been lurking on here for a while but just registered in order to reply to your post. English Lit is I think one of the loneliest fields as you don't do lab work and have no real chance to meet up with other students. If it's the isolation that's getting you down, I can totally understand it. When I wa 8 months in I was still totally excited about my PhD and was about to give my first conference paper, but to be honest I still feel the same way about my work and my field! It helps that both my supervisors are great and very approachable, and we've built up solid friendships. Sit down and have a really good think about what you'd be giving up. Perhaps it would help to talk to a friend or family member outside of academia about your work; I find the more I try to explain what I do to others the more enthusiastic I get. If you want to have a chat to me about your research feel free - maybe we can help inspire each other!