My PhD has suffered sooooo much over the world cup, I have seen every game and since I live in Aus the games are on at 2330 and 0400 every day :) but it is worth it only comes around once every 4 years!!! Makes me emotional just thinking about it (up)(up)

Furthermore & Moreover! How could I have forgotten! You have made my day :-)

When you are writing and you have to start a new sentence carrying on from the previous one, I find it hard to think of new ways to start :-(

I have used "In this respect", "to this end", "In this regard" about 100000 times! Does anyone have a new exciting way of doing this?

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Ignore me haha :$

I think it would be the actually reference in Endnote maybe the author's name is in bold? Try going in and editing the reference from within Endnote

In my humble opinion you have already made your decision by simply reading numerous threads about leaving study and writing this one (even subconsciously), you know that you aren't happy doing what you are doing. I think you are asking for validation for something you have already decided as Pjlu said "No one can decide for you-which is annoying for you but is why counsellors are so inconclusive". Just my two-cents and here is quote I like:

"Sir, What is the secret of your success?" a reporter asked a bank president.
"Two words."
"And, sir, what are they?"
"Good decisions."
"And how do you make good decisions?"
"One word."
"And sir, what is that?"
"Experience."
"And how do you get Experience?"
"Two words."
"And, sir, what are they?"
"Bad decisions."

Congratulations! That must feel extremely good! (up)(up)

I cannot believe no one made reference to Napoleon Dynamite, which is criminal in a thread title with the word skills in it! So I will:

Napoleon Dynamite: Well, nobody's going to go out with *me*!
Pedro: Have you asked anybody yet?
Napoleon Dynamite: No, but who would? I don't even have any good skills.
Pedro: What do you mean?
Napoleon Dynamite: You know, like nunchuku skills, bow hunting skills, computer hacking skills... Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills.
Pedro: Aren't you pretty good at drawing, like animals and warriors and stuff?
Napoleon Dynamite: Yes... probably the best that I know of.
Pedro: Just draw a picture of the girl you want to take out... and give it to her for like a gift or something.
Napoleon Dynamite: That's a pretty good idea.

getting pissed while getting a tan is a win win! So yes!

Hi Zipidee,

I really love radiohead, coldplay and any alt rock but I can't work with lyrics so for me it is all about house, trance, progressive house etc as they offer awesome beats that help me think.

Also if you haven't already I really recommend Last.fm!

I feel you on this as I'm in exactly the same position, I moved to a different city to undertake my study and as you know a PhD is not the most social of experiences. I can sometimes feel really down, lost and the thought of being here for 3+ years only amplifies that feeling. However, I know, as I have moved to a new city before, that it can take a while to feel like you are getting anywhere. It is a slow process that is only possible by placing yourself in situations that induce social interaction, for me I joined some random sports that I have never played before in the hope that I could meet some people.

It is a case of weathering the storm, because it will pass. You gotta ask yourself, "why did I move in the first place?" and you will soon realise that you did it for the challenge of meeting new people and overcoming a new environment and the challenges that it brings. Change is exciting, otherwise we stagnate.

peace.

I'm gonna hit you with a short and sweet reply that hopefully helps, when I first started I got some good advice which basically said to remember that it is just a PhD!

It's funny the more I think about the more I have to tell myself everyday about the benefits, like making my own hours and just thinking which is great. But I love your reasoning 4matt especially number 5! Travel which is something I hope to do a lot of during my studies.

I agree Bilbobaggins I think the reason you started the second time is probably the best motivation to start a PhD!

Hey, I have heard so much about the right kind motivation to start a PhD and the wrong kind of motivation to start a PhD, the right being things like holding an extreme interest in your topic, the topic was previously a hobby or the more noble idea that you want to make a positive impact on the world. The wrong being, just something to fill time while you think what to do, it seemed like a good idea at the time, they will pay you to study or having one can't hurt the resume.

I write this because I don't quite know where I stand, I'm still at the beginning of the process and it scares me to think I might not make it because I'm doing it for the wrong reasons. I would like to think I'm doing it because I enjoy the idea of research and I enjoy discovering new interpretations, but at the same time I think 'well I have no idea what else I wanted to do so it seems like a good idea'.

So basically, what was your original motivation to commence a PhD? And has that changed the longer you do it?

I'm fairly new to the whole PhD life but I do aspire to live and research in another country during my PhD and I was just wondering if any of you have travelled to far off regions of the world? Is it a good experience and do you recommend it?