Golfpro, there maybe some messages you don't entirely agree with but if that's the case, why not ignore it instead of feeling you have to answer? Someone else may feel it's a perfectly valid query etc. and answer instead. Just a thought.

Hi all, I'm going to be presenting at my first conference soon and I'm very scared! How do you cope with pre-conference nerves? Any tricks? Also, when presenting I can't always act confident - sometimes it's clear my nerves are getting the better of me - again, any advice???

Thanks guys.

I'm finding the whole budgeting aspect of PhD life quite hard. All my friends are 'non-PhD'ers and in full time work. Therefore, I'm always asked out but find that I constantly have to make excuses. I tell them I'm broke but I think it's a hard concept for people to get their head round if they're in full time employment, without kids etc. I try to keep up but find I can't and like you, Bellaz, have cried about it! So you're not alone! On the up side, when you do buy something, don't you find you really appreciate it? Probably more than you would do normally? Anyway, chin up! It's not forever!

I've noticed it too. I think it's all to easy to forget that whilst you might not understand a person's worries or concerns, you can't dismiss them, because they might not understand yours. We are all affected by different areas of our academic careers and anyone seeking advice or querying something has every right to do so.

Hi all, I know there have been threads about this previously, but does anyone else find that they'll have a day when writing/research goes really well, and then find that you may sit in front of your computer for next two days but have little energy and unable to concentrate?? I feel like I'm great in spurts but then lose it! Just wondering what your experiences are like?? Any pearls of wisdom? :)

An MA or MLitt are generally required for PhDs in the humanities. I've done an MLitt and I would say (if you do have a choice)that it is definitely worth it. It really helped me get my head around theory and concepts which I'm using now.

That happened to me yesterday - it's a nightmare! I had to listen to heavy metal for five hours, plus my neighbour had one song on repeat!!! Consequently, I didn't get much work done!

Hi everyone,

This is half a moan and half a query! I'm about four months into my PhD and I have a board review soon, but I'm unsure if I'm heading in the right direction with my work. I e-mail my supervisor who takes weeks to get back to me, and really doesn't give me much direction. Is anyone else finding this? Or is this what I should expect for the next three years (should I pass the review!) I understand that PhDs are about your own research and motivation, but I feel a bit out on limb at the moment. :-(

F. Scott Fitzgerald: You don't write because you want to say something; you write because you've got something to say.

ps Juno - I love yours! How inspiring...

Hi All,

Just wondering if you guys have some sort of post-grad society/group that meet up socially at your uni's? My university doesn't have anything like this - and I'm thinking of setting one up. I reckon that it'd be nice to meet up with like-minded people every now and then for a drink or something. PhD life can be very lonely so just wondering what it's like at your uni's?

This forum keeps me sane so thanks all!

Tea and toast with Marmite - you got to love it, or hate it?
Oh and wine...it's an evening 'treat'!

Hey, I'm researching post-coloniality and have to say if I had a chance to work with Bill Ashcroft, I'd be there like a shot!!! (plus, the sunshine! - not very helpful i know!) Good luck with your decision!!

Hi all,

I'm in my first year (beginning stages really) of PhD - and feel slightly overwhelmed by the amount of reading etc. Does anyone have a method of finding, reading, recording material - specific to the humanities? I'm collecting quotes but just know that I will look up a quote in a year or so, and won't be able to find it!

Thanks in advance - hope you're all having a good Monday!!

Girigoriya, I think that's an entirely unfair statement! You can't generalise like that!!!

Thanks everyone! Set up meeting with supervisor and deadlines in place!



Hope you're all having a good week.