It's tax-free because the money comes from the government (if you are research council funded) so they'd be taxing themselves... Although I'm sure in some parts of the country the money is generous, here in the South East of England it is just enough to scrape by on. So when the money runs out it is a massive ask for someone to live on nothing. I know some people can move in with parents etc, but if you can't it's such a massive stress knowing that you have 4 years to do your PhD but no money for the last part! Yes you can complete a PhD in 3 years, but in most cases something out of your control can go wrong (experiments failing, weather problems for outdoor work, illness etc) which delays you. I know of one person who handed in on time and it was because nothing went wrong at all, very rare!

I'm at the same stage as you, about to go into fourth year, although luckily I managed to get a 6 month funding extension. I'm not one to talk about work at all, so as soon as I leave the building it also leaves my mind and I just say 'yeah my day was fine' to the boyfriend when he asks! Although coming into the final year I know I have to start working from home and that is stressing me out, but again I don't say much about it to anyone, not saying that's a good thing it's just how I cope. I'm stressing far, far more about the career afterwards though. Although my other half is more like yourself in that he needs to have a massive rant as soon as he walks in the door about his day, so I understand where you are coming from!

If you really need to get things off of your chest, you could always rant on a forum such as this, or call a counselling hotline (I think all Uni's have these). Have you ever tried yoga? I find it helps me to calm down when I'm having a stressful time!

Yup, and the fact that 90% of people take over 3 years (usually the full 4 years) to finish a PhD and yet the majority of funding stops at 3 years. Supervisors and unis just take it for granted that you are willing to work for free for a year...surely it's against some kind of human rights!

I'm 6 months into a science PhD and feel the same as you, I have started my literature review and have a draft but I think it's not even close to being good enough or finished and have not been able to start field or lab work due to my supervisors commitments as he needs to help me the first time round. I thought 6 months in I'd have so much done and have a good plan and a clear idea of all research questions but I find I still find everything a blur and feel I don't know enough! I feel I'm not doing enough either as I don't have data or anything to show for it.

I keep being told this is normal by everyone I talk to though so I doubt we are alone! ;-)

Hello there,

I moved 500 miles away for my PhD and my partner is still stick where he is with his job, I had discussed it with him and he was all ok with it until I got the PhD and he went quiet and wouldn't talk about it. He had said he would move but then made excuses, it's been 6 months living apart not only seeing each other once a month and it isn't great but he has decided to move here once he can get a transfer from his work (which should happen by the end of summer so it'll be a year apart by then). We'd been together 8 years and lived together for 4 so it has been tough but I knew I had to do it as I was unlikely to get the chance again and this was the perfect PhD for me.

My partner was reluctant to discuss things and that caused most of the problems so if you can get him to chat about it and tell him all the ins and outs and why you want to go for it maybe he will come round, although he may need a while to think about it.

If it is a job you think is right for you then you can argue your case stronger, if it is a job that you just think is a bit better than the one you have but you don't really want it maybe you should wait for something closer to come along!

good luck with your choices =)

I'm sure that the other people in your lab will understand that you are still getting used to the language and culture, I'm sure many of them will be curious about your culture. You could just start talking to them in breaks but tell them you have trouble with the language still and they will be more patient with you.

As for what British people talk about, well weather is always a good topic, and generally where you come from, what you do at home, what it was like in your own country, television, music, food and drink, people will talk about anything really! If you don't understand what people are saying don't be afraid to ask them to speak a little slower, there are so many regional accents around that even British people from different places can struggle to understand each other.

Perhaps you could go to an evening class for international students to improve your English and meet other people? As your University most run these type of courses.

I'm sure you will start to make friends soon!

I think as your money is not taxable it does not count as an income for things like that! You should just say you're a student and it shouldn't affect his JSA.

My first day was good too, I haven't found any new PhD students yet though, although there are meant to be a couple around somewhere. My head was spinning from all the names and directions I need to remember! Hope everyone else had a good first day too!

I start mine today too, thanks for the luck and good luck to everyone else too =)

It sounds as though you have everything in hand and have prepared really well, just take some deep breaths to calm yourself down if you start to panic! Don't worry about your mind freezing it happens to everyone! Again if this happens just take your time, the interviewers don't expect you to have every answer on the tip of your tongue and it is perfectly acceptable to take a few moments to have a think about what they have asked!

Good luck =)

Hello, I also start mine on the 3rd, my letter also said the 1st but my supervisor emailed me to ask when I started and I said the 3rd as no one would be in on the 1st. Since then my supervisor has been in touch with a detailed description of what my first day will entail, inductions, meetings, having a look around etc! Sounds like fun!

Good luck everyone else with your first days!

I think it seems to be the done thing with masters students to give them as little input as possible. I had similar problems with my supervisor except I had to make up my own project but he gave no input on that as it wasn't his specialty (we had no choice as to who was our supervisors) and then gave only a sentence or two feedback for any work I handed to him, although he did do this quickly at least! Although my undergraduate supervisor was out of the country for most of my project so I know how frustrating it can be.

It does sound like he has slowed you down a lot so perhaps you can ask for an extension, but I doubt complaining about the quality of supervision will get you far to be honest as they systems are so convoluted and awkward that it would cause you a lot of stress for very little outcome. So I'd say just do the best you can on the project, maybe try and change it slightly to make it easier for you to do (I don't understand programming so ignore this if it makes no sense!) get it handed in and try to forget about it.

Sorry if it sounds harsh, but sometimes it's just the only way you can get through! I hope it works out though and you get it all done!

I think penny sweets now cost 2p now though! Shocking I know!

I'm just moving away from Aberdeen! I'm moving to South England, it's a small town as I'm working at a research centre and not a University.

It's my last day at work tomorrow then I have half a week to pack before leaving. Hope it's enough time!

Well it's a NERC funded post I have not EPSRC but I think all the research councils have the same regulations with money. I haven't looked into it any further but it does have the years listed with the same amount of money next to each, but I'm sure it is reviewed annually. But it wouldn't surprise me if it is frozen for the next couple of years! We can live in hope I guess!