I agree as well. I attended a conference last month and watched those in their 2nd and 3rd year present their work, along with academics and i so wanted to present something even if i am just 3 months in! I wanted to because i had just obtained some very ground breaking results and wanted to share this. I got my wish to present but it wasn't my work. A coleauge of mine was supposed to present his but could not make it. His supervisor asked me if i could present it and i took the challenge even if i did not know the exact details but the basics and background of the work.

Oh please stop the talk of chocolates! I can't stand the temptation any longer

I am not having a very productve day either. I have put in a request for some material i need and need a reply before i can carry on my tests. The relevant materials i need to study are not here.

Same here, no antics- just very dull jokes.

Although i laughed when i read the first post, i would not be happy at all if that happened to me, expecially seeing that his supervisor saw it!

You're right in a way. The first year is mainly gaining ground and finding your feet. At the moment i am working on something that isn't in my proposal, although it is vital to achieving the overall aim of my research. I think after a while you get to know the specific area that are worth pursuing and the rest just leave behind (or becomes less important)

I think there's always something out there for you to read- that'll be of some importance. I've been doing some reading but i would say not a lot (i know i need to!) Saying this, i have just got a 200 page basic electromagnetic design material to go through

I am think i need help in that department too I am beginning to acquire so much material that if i do not put them in some order i am going to get lost.

My thoughts exactly Everything to you, Olivia would seem new and fresh. I moved from London to the South and it is hard!! but i am slowly getting used to the idea that it is going to be like this for a while.

It depends on where you are located. There's no excuse to be bored in london. Where i live is another story

My academic supervisor more or less accepts what i give to him with no qualms, except there's something importnat missing and he tells me to go add that. My industrial supervisor is more direct and almost never accepts anything on the first submission but sends me back to get it corrected. I think i prefer a more direct approach as it pushes me to work harder.

A more reasonable suggestion.

I think this is an issue many of us get worried about. It was really helpful reading the material in the link AnnieG posted. Now, i'm not worried at all

Welcome!

When i started i was really worried that i had no clue of what i was doing ( still do :) ) and a bit more worried where my originality content was going to come from. I am beginning to do a bit more practical work now and gaining some knowledge, at least while looking at what has been done in my field.

Wow, it is really interesting reading your experiences. Please keep 'em coming.

Eddie, my acdemic supervisor isn't asking me to write just yet but rather encouraging me to attend/present at conferences. The writing will probably come after year or so.