Ha ha...Yes!
Try being 34 and trying to explain to prospective partners why you are still at school, and when exactly you are going to "get a real job"!

I probably dont have that much to add, but am just saying hi and watching this thread with interest, as I am starting in 2 weeks, and so its useful to see what kind of goals/expectations other people had in their first year, and what they had accomplished. Im a Psych student, doing a topic I didnt really know much about until a couple of months ago, though I have done a bit of background reading. Im really hoping to have the literature review, and a proposal done by the middle of the year, as my uni won't give me any teaching work until thats done, and I would really appreciate a bit of extra cash! Im not sure how realistic that is though...

Hi all,

Well, in a month I will officially have started my Phd (eek!). I was wondering if anyone else out there is in the same boat, cos it might be fun to share mutual reassurance. And though i know there are loads of tips threads, if any more seasoned folks want to weigh in with advice, that would be great too.

Anyway I'm Australian, about to start a Phd in an area of cognitive Psychology that I was pretty much absolutely unfamiliar with until a month ago. Ive had a great summer, but also been doing a bit of background reading. My main problem is the absolutely overwhelming amount of literature in the area, I really need to start finding a specific focus, to help narrow things down, but I keep changing my mind! Anyone else have this problem? How are you approaching it?

My plan for the next month is to come up with a few general areas, that might be good to research, so that I can run them past my supervisors when i start. Once I've picked one, I can start teasing out specific research questions. What do people think about this approach? Is there anything else that would be good for me to do in my last month of freedom?

Geekgirl here.

Hey, thanks so much everyone for the replies and reassurance! I was pretty sure i was just freaking out, and so its good to know others have felt the same way. And yes, this is going to be a summer (Southern Hemisphere over here) of literature reviews, and then if I am still concerned I will talk things over with my supervisor, who has been really great so far in answering my questions.

I am glad I found this place, I think its going to come in handy.

Hi all,
I'm a mature age Psych student, who just graduated with a good Honours degree, and is about to start a Phd

I had been planning to take six months off study, and really think about the area that I wanted to pursue. However, a few weeks ago I found a interesting ad, looking for a Phd scholarship student. I applied, without too many expectations,

Anyway, long story short, I got the job. And my funding has just come through, so I will be fully funded for the next three years. That's great, and has been what I've been shooting for all along (since I went back to study three years ago)

My concern is that this is really an area of Psychology i know nothing about. That's fine, because I dont start still March, so I have a few month to do background reading.
My other concern is that, starting to look into this area, is that there is already a lot of research which has been done in the field. Specifcally, there are a couple of other labs which are specifically working on the topics which my supervisor suggested. I am worried that I am not going to be able to find an original research topic. And that I wont find that out until I come to grips with the topic, which will be too late to pull out without affecting my chances of getting funding for any other Phd.

So I guess I'm looking for advice/reassurance, from anyone else who has been in a similar situation - ie. starting postgrad research in an unfamiliar area. Also, if I do decide the topic is not for me, what is the timeline for dropping out of a Phd without it going on my record. Specifically, I'm Australian,and have got an APA which starts in March.

Honestly, I am interested in this area, and so excited about the opportunity. I just want to make sure I have a decent shot at getting my Phd at the end of it

Thanks



(robin)