Thanks HazyJane, that's really useful (up)

p.s. not interested in continuing or getting retribution, just want out.

I get paid monthly through the university, do you think they'll ask for it back?

I'm actually over 2 years in, do you think this will be an issue? I've done data collection & have draft thesis but I can't achieve the standard required for Phd. Relationship with sup beyond repair, postgrad tutor blamed me, refuses to give new supervision & labels me as trouble.

Hi,

I've talked to lots of people at uni but they're not interested & make out like I'm a difficult student. I want to quit & move on from this terrible experience. Do you know if I'll have to pay back any of my studentship?

Thanks

J

Hi all,

Yet another quitting thread I'm afraid. I'm on a studentship and will be quitting after many months of study. Does anyone know if I'll be expected to pay this back? My contract doesn't contain any wording to this effect which makes me think it would be illegal for them to ask anyway.

I would be grateful if people could advise me. The PhD is untenable so no chance of staying on.

Thank you.

Thanks Human, I'll keep trying until someone responds!

Hi,

How do you go about changing your PhD supervisor? I'm being bullied by my current supervisors and it's making me sick with stress, what can I do? I've tried to meet with the postgraduate tutor person but they are very busy and don't seem to have time for me, what else can I do?

Thank you all for your advice and kind words, it really does make me feel better. I'm a bit shell shocked still and I am finding it hard to think straight so I think I'll have a little break for a week or so, then come back and make a proper decision once the shock has worn off and I'm not so panicked!

I think I do need to meet with a post grad tutor, I'm just frightened that it'll cause issues with my supervisory team if they find out. I can't think about this logically at the moment so I think I need to take some time out. Thank you all so much for your advice :-)

Hi everyone,

A bit of a depressing first post I'm afraid :-(

I am six months away from the end of my PhD funding and have just been told by my supervisors that there is no way I will be ready to submit by the funding deadline and have at least another 12-24 months ahead of me. I do not have sufficient money available to continue past the end of my funding. I do have a full draft of my thesis but it's not good enough apparently. I can't carry on with this because I literally live from month to month from my grant with no money left over to save. I don't have any parents that I could live with or a partner to take care of me. Basically, once the money runs out, I'm ruined.

The main issues as far as I can tell is that they don't think my writing is up to scratch, however I do also feel that my supervisors have lost interest in me and have effectively "written me off" as a bad job. I haven't ever been asked to do any teaching, never been included in anything to do with the department, have had insufficient access to funding and don't get invited to conferences. I've worked so hard over the last 2 years to carry out my fieldwork and get a full draft together but I feel like it has been for nothing! To top it all, I arrived at our meeting place 30 minutes early last month and one of my supervisors walked in, saw me sitting there alone and turned around and walked straight back out! He clearly didn't want to make small talk with me for half an hour!

I wondered if any of you could help me with what my options are now. Has anyone ever transferred down to a Masters or know anyone who has? Is it even possible? I'm also terrified that my job prospects are ruined now because I'm convinced I won't get a good reference from my current supervisor. My confidence in myself and my ability has been completely shattered and I'm regretting ever taking this PhD on. Are there any quitters or job seekers out there who are concerned about getting a reference from their supervisor? Also, how would I explain what I have been doing for the last 2 1/2 years?

From a very sad and deflated nevergoingtobeadoctor J.