Hi everyone,

I'm approaching my submission date on the 30th (woo!) and so I've been taking a look round at several job opportunities. I'm thinking of applying for one post which would be fan-tast-tic as my PhD topic fits so well with the project. Ironically, the deadline for applications is also my submission date.
There is one problem....my examiner is the lead researcher recruiting for the post.
I'm aware of the rules surrounding contact with your examiner before your viva but this seems like too good an opportunity to pass up. If I apply for the post and they don't like my research, my viva could be a nightmare. On the other hand, if I apply and get the job then my viva could be with my boss.

What would you do??

:$

Hi all,

This is a bit of a strange one but I wondered if anyone else had experienced this.

I'm in my third year of my PhD and have mainly been using the wonderful world-wide web to recruit participants (e.g. social networking sites and mailing lists) for my studies.
My research topic is quite applied and so many people have an opinion - great for my research - not so great if their frustration is aimed at me!
Some of the emails I have received have been really quite pointed. Several people have suggested that this is one disadvantage of online research as comments (and commentators!) can remain anonymous. Not so great if I'm having a particularly slumpy day and open my inbox to an email of why I shouldn't be doing my research.

Has anyone else experienced this?

Hi Stressed!
Im also new to the Phd life (having just started in October) and am pretty much wondering the same thing about others having just started. Im working from home and commuting into uni (1hr 30mins away by train) 2 days a week. The other days in the week im trying to keep to a 9-5 schedule just to keep me motivated. The weekends are my own. Im sure this will change slightly as the workload increases but thats how i stand at the moment.
The best piece of advice i was recently given after discussing this with a friend was - 'its your phd. If you find yourself doing 2 hours and week and then the rest of the time shopping then youre on the wrong path. Give yourself a day off now and again otherwise youll burn out'
Good luck!
:-)

CONGRATULATIONS!!! :-)

Yep ill hold my hands up to feeling isolated too! ;-)
Try and join a club or society in the evenings that you can meet people at. Easier said than done i know! But at least then you can keep work and play separate. Im living away from Uni at the moment so its hard to find a connection with people you see maybe only once or twice a month.
Keep smiling!
:-)

Hi everyone!

I too have just started - been a month now - and im at the same uni I did my undergrad at. I can honestly say i don't know where the last month has gone to!!! wow! It's gone so quickly!
I am finding it really hard however, to gauge how much work i am meant to be doing. Is anyone else finding this? I know lots of people say you should never compare one PhD to another but its worrying me that some people seem to be working non-stop 24/7. My supervisor is super laid back aswell so he's constantly telling me not to stress.

Anyone else finding this??