These things are important, I know. Motivation and confidence are not self-nurturing things, you also need to feel that other people appreciate what you are doing. And they do. The fact that you have been nominated by your department means that they considered you an outstanding candidate. They wouldn't have promoted your name otherwise. So, take your time to digest this and then try again.

As you rightly said the run for funding is very competitive.
However, the fact that you didn't get it this time around doesn't mean that your project is not valuable. Sometimes the preference is given to a candidate only because his/her subject area is close to that of someone in the committee. Nothing to do with your skills as a researcher. The problem is that applying for a scholarship takes time and effort and can be draining. So, no wonder that a negative response has a strong impact on your mood! Try to consider this in the wider context of your research, and keep thinking about your final objective.

Chin-up! You are a remarkable person. Since I started reading your posts I have always been impressed with all the things you managed to achieve while juggling a big family. You must be proud of yourself! O.K you didn't get funding this time, but there will be other opportunities. You need to keep focus and persevere. It's not unusual to get funding on the 2nd or 3rd year. It's normal to feel down now - I know it only too well! - but you will soon start to realise that this is only one, temporary stop. It would have been brilliant if you got it at first attempt, but the most likely scenario for everyone is to keep trying applying to several sources, until something comes up. Did you try the British Federation of University Women? They sponsor many projects. You can find details here: http://www.bfwg.org.uk/scholarships.cfm
Courage!!!

I started my PhD in October and I felt full of energy and very motivated. It was easy to keep focussed and get a lot of work done at the beginning. Now, eight months in I feel tired and often struggle to keep focussed. Maybe I need a holiday. In the meantime what I do is to write down what my final objective is - get the PhD! - and what I need to do short/ long term in order to achieve it. I do this every week and continuously re-assess the situation. I keep that list handy and when I am tempted to spend time looking at forums I read it and go back to work...o.k sometimes it doesn't work

Hi emmantro,
there is anyone attending the conference who could be useful to meet for the development of your research? If the answer is 'yes' I would make an effort to go. If the answer is 'no', I wouldn't bother. I think that it is always good practice to present your research to other people, but there is no point in getting stressed or presenting something you are not convinced or happy about only for the sake of saying 'I did it'. However, I wouldn't be put off by the fact that you are presenting a poster and not a paper. The problem is to present a good poster, something that really communicate what your project is about, your methodology and aims.

Hi PinkNeuron,
Best of luck for your application! You deserve it. It's not easy to juggle family life with a PhD.
However, bear in mind that whatever the outcome of this competition is always good to apply and - by doing so - learn how to deal with it. Applying for funding is something that we will have to face also after the PhD, especially if we stay in academia. Completing a funding application form is also a way to re-instate our short and long-term goals and keep focussed.
I am trying to complete the 20th version of a paper - and it's not less boring than a funding application!

Hi LostinOz,
I don't know if this is normal, but you have a mate!
I feel like that 80% of the time. I wouldn't blame myself too much though. These people know very well that it's not easy for person at this early stage to join in a consolidated group of established scholars. Of course there is an issue with me - and probably you - being shy and self-conscious, however I think that our supervisors especially, should make an effort to help us in these situations. Some of them just don't think about it, but others are just rude or selfish.
I am learning slowly how to cope, but everything ends up in the bin if in the group there is a mate with a 'primadonna' attitude. I am very confident with my topic, but this does not always help.
Anyway, try to be positive. It's not easy, but as I said, you are not alone!

You are both in good company. My social life is next to zero and when I meet someone they either talk about themselves or, if they ask me a couple of questions pretending to sound interested, they soon add the answers themselves!
I have just come back from one of this fantastic research trips abroad and feel exhausted, but the majority of people outside the PGs circle think that when you research abroad you spend your time sitting under the sun with a big hat, sipping iced tea!
Three weeks in a dusty library and I hardly exchanged a word with anyone except for saying: 'thank you' and 'good bye', and I didn't even find any document that will grant me eternal glory!
I am quite happy with my own company, but of course I feel the need of some social life as well. Something more than the usual shallow conversations that I manage to make at the moment.
I feel very down about this all and I am struggling to keep the motivation going. You have all my sympathy!

Excellent! It's nice to see a smile again. A positive attitude always makes a difference.
I found this web site, which may be of some help. There are a lot of links on how to present and how to deal with the audience. I used it a few times and found it useful.
http://www.khake.com/page66.html

Don't feel frustrated. These things happen even to the most experienced scholar. We all learn by doing it. I have presented many times, and problems appeared when I was more confident! I now think about possible questions and try to find good answers beforehand. I then write some bullet points on post-it and keep it handy. Remember that it is a perfectly acceptable practice to ask people to repeat or clarify a question. If you are still unsure, try to summarise what you think they meant to check that you understood correctly. Ultimately, if you are not able to answer you can say something like: 'I cannot be more specific on this issue now. Can I get back in touch with you?'. I am sure that your perception of what happened is much worse than it was in reality. We always tend to emphasize the negative aspects. O.K. it wasn't perfect, but it will be better next time, because now you know how to deal with it.

Well, I think that if the relationship between student and supervisor doesn't work, this should be addressed before the interview. There is always a Head of PGs study, or if this role is covered by your supervisor, the Head of School to talk to. This is what I did at least. I didn't change supervisor, but things have improved greatly since then. Hiding under the sand is not going to sort out the situation. You could perhaps be a bit more specific and tell us what is your problem with him/her?

As far as the 2nd problem is concerned: delete from your mind the idea of the other 'succesful' student. I know for personal experience that we often tend to idealise other people's achievements. Even if this other student is brilliant, I can tell you that situations are not standing still, and everyone experience good and bad times along the way. I would certainly talk about your problems and ideas on how to develop your project with your supervisor this afternoon. I am sure that you will be fine!

Hi CJ! I am not in your field, so what I am suggesting is very generic and you should take it for what it is. I think that you have two problems there. One personal: you have moved out from your family's home and are trying to settle down in this new situation. Second, you are working along with another student who has the same supervisor and seems to be very competitive. My own impression is that you should try to keep the two things separate.It's normal that you want to dedicate time and energy to your relationship, but you should also try to organise a timetable for the next few months where you establish some short term goals. You are enthusiastic about your subject, and this should be of help.

Thank you very much Explorer. I wasn't aware of this. Of course this could be a potential problem, although I am not sure that I would re-use the same material for an article, or even in which form - if at all - this material will be included in my thesis eventually. Of course I should consider this option better.
P.S. I really like your nick. It reminds me of Jules Verne's '20,000 leagues under the sea'!

Hi Orian. I am sorry, I didn't want to put you off! As I said it's hard work, but you can make it if you are enthusiastic about it. We have a College conference once a year, and I know that it is a panel of 4 students who organise it. Do you have the possibility to involve any other PGs and/or member of staff? Do a bit of research before you make your mind up. I think that you can do a good job if you are intersted and find a bit of help. And it would look good on your CV!