Not my supervisor but a lecturer when I was an undergrad told us we should "bond with our data!" I used to think he was bonkers but now, I'm going to be so grateful when I get some data I imagine I will actually adore it!

Thanks for your comments guys. I'm not sure I'm really cut out for this PhD malarkey to be honest. I don't mind working hard but I really hate the thought that I'm going to lose weekends and evenings for the next 3 years, I don't do any weekend or evening work (unless I need to come into the lab which isn't too often) at the moment and have absolutely no enthusiasm or inclination to do any to be frank. Any thoughts of actually knowing my subject well or having the ability to talk about my subject seem very very far away at the moment!

hee hee. My supervisor lives and breathes it! After the evenings and weekends comment he gave me a big lecture about how it was impossible to do this type of work esp a phd without reading on the weekends and evenings or there just wasn't time for everything. I know he does read on the evenings and weekends - I think his idea of fun?!

The ethos in my lab is definitely evryone has to "muck in" and my supervisor would be very unhappy if I spoke out about it - I would definitely be seen and the selfish one not pulling my weight. I feel bad because I'm going to need their help (supervisor and the fellow in the lab) to do my experiments but at the moment I'm unsure as to whether I'm a research assisstant or phd student!

No I don't have any teaching commitments. To be honest everything in my lab is a bit jumbled up anyway. For example I haven't learned how to do PCR yet but when we had some tissue available from a study then the post-doc did the PCR however I think I'm going to be able to use those results for my thesis if they are required, maybe?? I mean everthing I'm doing is linked to the general topis of my PhD but the experiments aren't for my thesis - they are for paper corrections or for the grants that my lab have (i'm university funded) to get papers out as fast as possible. I have also been doing a lot of time comsuming checks alongside anther phd student - this work is more for her thesis but I don't mind helping her as when push comes to shove I might need her help in the long run!

Hi guys,

I've been in my PhD for about 7 months now - I admit I found the fisrt 3 months very hard. I feel more settled in the lab now etc but I was wondering if any other science based PhD's could answer this question. How much time do you spend on your PhD and how much time is spent on general stuff for your research team etc. In my lab everyone is expected to "muck in" so I'm learning lots of practical techniques but these experiments wont really go into my thesis. I am planning my own experiments too but struggle sometimes to find the time to do as much reading etc as I would like due to working in the lab. I pointed this out to my supervisor and he asked what I did on the evenings and weekends so that answers that question. If I was employed as a research assisstant I wouldn't mind what I'm doing but in the back of my mind there's always a nagging thought that I have a PhD to get out of this in 3 years! What are others experiences of this type of thing?? Thanks.

Hi, I started in Oct last year in a science PhD so have been at it for about 6 months. I was in the lab from day one shadowing the fellow in our lab (no post doc at that stage) and other PhD student. To be honest the first three months were a bit of a blur, the last 3 have been better. I didn't really get the chance to do masses of reading, the area is new to me and I'd never done lab work before. I don't have to plan experiments yet as our lab works as one big group and there's not much in the way of individual projects. I struggled and am still struggling, haven't read a paper for about 3 weeks. Think am going to speak to my supervisor this week about it as I'm a bit lost. But on the bright side I have learned alot (and very quickly) about the practical side of things. Sorry to hijack your post a bit, I'd be intreested as to what others have to say.

Ah, just re-read your post. I see you stayed in Clifton (there are some halls of residence round there it wasn't at one of those by chance?). Yeah the main area of the uni is about 10-15 mins from Clifton. Redland and Cotham are areas on the other side of the uni from Clifton if that makes sense.

Clifton is a bit pricy but plenty of students live there. The main uni bit is around Park St and the Vet School which is were the dept of Anatomy is mainly based is on a street called Southwell Street. I'm not sure if that bit is classed as Clifton but it's all quite close anyway. The student union is in Clifton. You can walk to the main uni area (vet school, medical school (with medical library) etc) from Clifton, Redland, Cotham etc. (If you have a look on a map you'll see, I'm not explaining this very well) What topic is your PhD in?

Hiya,

I might know some of the neuroscience people, depends what area - that wasn't my undergrad course but they did mix about a bit. My undergrad dissertation was neuroendocrinology if that's any closer! Will you be based at the vet school in southwell st or somewhere else (not sure where all the neurosci research is done). I remember going to see Bristol on a couple of open days before I started, it rained, both times so I didn't get that great an idea of the city. But I personally think it is a fabulous place, Redland is gorgeous, Clifton is lovely. The bars down Whiteladies Rd and Park St are ace too. There's also the downs at the top of Whiteladies Rd / Blackboy Hill which are brilliant to escape too when you need some fresh air. I really enjoyed living there and fortunately still have friends there I can go and visit so I can escape London for a bit. Any questions feel free to throw them in my direction, as you can tell I am slightly biased though

Hello,

I did my undergrad in the dept of Anatomy at Bristol, I'm assuming you will be based in Southwell St. I loved it. Love the city, love the uni (wish I could have done my PhD there!). Are you moving to Bristol specifically for the PhD or are you there aleady - it's a lovely place to live esp the Redland / Cotham area (or Clifton if you're feeling flush!).What area is your PhD in?

This thread really strikes a chord with me. I started in October and have to say that ericonrhicam's post managed to sum up in words exactly how I'm feeling. I was floundering completely with both the practical and reading/writing side of things. Since Christmas the practical stuff is coming, slowly and I find I prefer it alot of the time as opposed to trying to read/write and not getting very far. I'm hoping that the other stuff will also come with time. It's definitely nice to know that other people feel the same way and at the moment my attitude is just to try not to stress too much about it and let it happen with time (soooo much easier said than done!) - not sure how benificial this is or whether it's actually just denial!

I had a feeling someone might mention that Ozanna! Tiny bit of poetic licence methinks!

One (very cheesy) quote is:

"Shoot for the moon, because even if you miss or don't quite make it, you'll fall among the stars"

My head of sixth form told us that on the last day of school and it hit a nerve,now I carry a card with it written on in my wallet.

Loving all these quotes by the way (esp the 80 year old neighbour putting everything into perspective!).

At the moment I’m trying to do a lit review after convincing my supervisor to give me a title and trying to get some structure, the lit review is basically going to be made of 3 separate smaller essays. I’m supposed to have tried to write the second one over xmas but it hasn’t happened – I have absolutely no motivation for it and would rather mess about on the internet or stare into space whilst my brain turns to mush. It sounds like an ideal situation in the lab as my supervisor is a really nice person and the lab is getting results etc. but I feel like I’m not contributing and there’s really no point to me being there. Any advice (or just a good slap!) is welcome! Many Thanks.