Oh yeah I am definitely planning two futures although my current job contract means I can wait a couple more months before I start looking for a new one which is better timing. Every day is just work and imagining possible futures for myself which I hate doing because I feel like I’m jinxing it hahaha

Are you doing a phd straight after the MA? I just graduated from my MA last October.

And what makes you as excited as I am to continue studying? Is it your topic that you can’t wait to research? Or more the phd itself and everything that comes with it?

I won’t go into detail about my experiences just because there are cruel people on the internet and this is a public forum but I just think those people who got the funding are so amazing and have done so many things. I don’t stand a chance! But it’s been interesting to go through this stressful process. Nobody in my family has ever gone into higher ed before me and what I want is my nieces to be able to ask me for help if they want to go through it too. And I guess after undergoing the process I do have a much better understanding that I can now pass on to them if necessary one day. That’s the best thing I can take from this if I’m unsuccessful

Hey - oh yes I do wish they would just state a day or a week when we would hear back. You must be going crazy and feel really nervous because you could get that email any second!! Haha that probably made you feel even worse!

So did you do the interview with them or with your chosen uni department? I did mine with the department and they supported my application. But obviously that doesn’t mean anything because of how competitive it is. When I said I had a five percent chance, I had looked at the previous winners of the funding and none of them come from my background- educationally or otherwise so I guess I don’t realistically have a chance and it also makes me wonder why the department would bother supporting me. But anyway... that’s a different topic I guess. I won’t bore you with that. I just want someone to wait with as I don’t know anyone who has been through this in real life.

The results from the ahrc will be out either this month, may or June - that’s what it says on the website! Can you imagine !!! So that’s a lot of refreshing emails!!

I really hope you get it! You said something really interesting about reapplying... I didn’t think of that! I guess technically I could. Some people take the unfunded route and apply a couple of times then- but I can’t afford to risk it. Would you risk it? To me it sounds stressful. I think I would just give up. I applied for a studentship before this and got an interview but didn’t get further. Have you applied for any other funding routes? Or does it all depend on this?

Oh my gosh! Yay! Let’s wait together! To be honest I have an alternative education background so I know that I have less then a five percent chance of being chosen... but even that five percent hope just kills! It’s pure torture!! I just wish I knew now. How long have you been waiting. I have been waiting since mid February.... so so long

Wow looks like I really am the only person 😬

Have you tried asking someone to look at your CV and cover letter? Your phd happened years ago! It’s time to move on from that now - start thinking about how you are going to get a job

I feel like I’m the only person on earth waiting for this and it’s killing me! I need someone to wait with! Anyone out there?