Good morning...I do not know how many of you use Dropbox. I have been using it since the start of my PhD and it really helps me, as I have all my PCs synched up (could do it even though I am a techno dud) and everything is automatically backed up online. Everybody gets 2GB free and can add to it...well for those of you not using it...get into this link to start up... http://db.tt/IiBRjbW ...using this link yourself (and me) will get 250MB free extra.

For those that are using it already (and all you new people getting it)...there is currently a competition. Well the winners have been chosen, but anyone who completes the quest gets 1GB free. Go here to start your quest: https://www.dropbox.com/dropquest2011/ ....if you need help with the answers http://techtoknet.blogspot.com/2011/01/dropquest-cheats.html is very useful...at the bottom there is some good info on how to get even more space.

Hello...what I would do it do a section on research experience...and do the projects from masters and degree there. I would put the research experience section before the work experience section...just because it would be more relevant to such an application

Hey arajolie...your Phd will come...if you want it...the right one will come along. I applied for numerous PhDs and got a number of unsuccessful applications. But then I suddenly got two in the same week...then I had another problem to decide...when the time comes...you will get the PhD...at least you had an experience of the interview process and now you know what to expect next time :)...good luck and take care

Hello...I have another referencing questions. I have a list given by the same person. Where would you put the in-text citation, position A or B? Or should I put it after each bullet? For example:

The ideal characteristics of a house are (A, 2011):
1. It is cosy;
2. It is big enough;
3. I like it (B, 2011).

Sent the PM...thanks a lot :)

Thanks to everyone for their help...have a good weekend

Anyone :(. They do seem to be hard to find but oh well...

Hello. I have only started my PhD 3 months ago, but here goes. I decided I needed to start a PhD to give myself a push. After my undergrad degree I started working full time whilst following an MSc by research part time. Once I got to the end of my MSc I decided I needed to do the Phd, just because I was sure that my job (or most other jobs...even though related to my studies) would not stretch me as much. Horror stories are inevitable...however do read the positive thread there was on a couple of months back.

I am also 24 and had to move away from home (4hours direct flight or so). I am not single, but have a boyfriend back home... sometimes I think being single is better, because you do not get to miss another person as much. I think determination and loving your project is key. And this is me talking who has just had a good cry this morning...but overall I am still determined to get my PhD...I am getting to be more independent in my thoughts and decisive in what I want to do. I think as with everything there will be ups and downs...but in the downs people will be willing to help.

Good luck in your search

Sorry for this...but does anyone have access to these? I can only get access from 2008 onwards :S

Balesdent, J., Wagner, G.H., and Mariotti, A., 1988, Soil organic matter turnover in long-term field experiments as revealed by carbon-13 natural abundance: Soil Science Society of America Journal, v. 52, p. 118–124.

Nadelhoffer, K.J., and Fry, B., 1988, Controls on natural nitrogen-15 and carbon-13 abundances in forest soil organic matter: Soil Science Society of America Journal, v. 52, p. 1633–1640.

Thank you

Hello. I have started my PhD in October in a foreign country away form family and friends. Things were going well, but now that I am back after some great Christmas holidays I am missing everyone a lot, especially my fiancee, and wishing I could be back home. It has nothing to do with my Phd, but more a sense of loneliness and looking at 3 years away form my fiancee and family. I was not feeling like this in my first 3 months (we were meeting a bit more often then...once every month...and now we will reduce to once every 1.5-2months). Has anyone experienced this? Any tips?

HI

Good luck on your application. I was in a similar situation, where I got offered a post, but was more enthusiastic about another PhD. I waited for the second acceptance and then declined the first. Check by when you need to give a reply. Commonly you have a couple of weeks by when you should reply. And anyways you can always take back an acceptance. I do not know about the University black marking you. But I am pretty sure you are not the first or last student to have done this, and they look through numerous applications. It is not the ideal situations, but try and do whichever PhD you like most.

HI KB...this has come at a really good time. I came back home for Christmas and everyone has told me that I should take a whole 2 weeks off. However, like you I seem to be going back to working on my PhD. I still meet friends, go out and have a good time. But I cannot get myself to just relax and do nothing. I generally do some work in the mornings for a couple of hours or so when I am home, and my friends and boyfriend are at work, then do nothing all evening. I also agree with plju...it seems that people think I work harder than I actually think I do. So just to tell you I totally identify with you, and I am still at the start of my PhD :)

Hello, when I was going through this I generally sent a sort of short cover letter, sort of an application form, then attached my CV. It was a couple of paragraphs long. Check the Uni website before, see if there are any funded positions etc al;ready available so that you show you checked what they can offer etc

Hello. I can also answer some of the general questions. A PhD is not like a degree. It is like a masters degree if you have done it by research with no (or very limited) taught components as I am finding it very similar to the MSc I did. In my opinion you can look at it as flexi-time full time work which you love. Meaning that no one is running after me to stay form 9-5. But I try to do those hours. However sometimes I can just leave at 3pm as I do not see myself being productive and then work from home in the evenings or weekend...you have to be disciplined. Re funding...it depends greatly on the source...with some budgeting and planning most funding is good to live on (details on funding are generally included in the 'advert' for the post). Re going into full time work...after by undergrad I did my MSc by research on a part-time basis whilst working full time. I learnt a lot from my work experience (even though not directly related to my research area), and I would not change the way I did things. In my opinion do not do a PhD simply to get a better job, more pay or the 'Dr.' at the end. Do it because you are really interested in the subject...you have 3 years 'stuck' reading, experimenting and finding out about this particular area. GOOD LUCK however

Hello

I have the same problem as you Euan...I have just finished my MSc and one of the comments during my Viva was over citing and including numerous references for the same thing (I have issues with which to include and exclude when the same thing has been said by different individuals...generally this is in the intro as well). Thank you for your replies...and hope we get more cos it will certainly help me too :)