My aims for today are:

1. Read for a couple of hours.

2. Finish writing the first draft of the second chapter outline, including the conclusion.

3. Maybe start planning the third chapter outline.

Hi Lilbo,

This week, after today, I'll have done about 15 hours. I'm part-time and teaching for the best part of three days a week, even so, I'd love to fit more in, but I fnd I have a productivity cut off point in each day, and need to work in two hour bursts, fitting in two, maybe three bursts in a day. I can work more solidly if I'm just reading, but I'm writing at the moment. During the holidays I work more, for example, this summer I wrote a a paper, and worked, what felt like, 24/7 on that for about three weeks, but then I took two weeks completely off, which I needed badly by then (the only time off I've had since last Christmas). The rest of the summer I worked about 35 hours per week, I wish I could concentrate for longer than that! However, when I do work, I am totally switched on to what I'm doing, I tend to get lost in it.

Oh, the hours I've given you apply to researching and writing, not to library visits and emails etc.

Hi Bulbs, Shame you had a rubbish day; here's to a better one tomorrow.

I did Ok, got through about 3/4 of the way through writing the chapter outline and worked for half an hour after my dance class. So next time I need to:

1. Collect some more information.
2. Finish writing this chapter outline, including the conclusion.
3. Start writing the next chapter outline.

Yeah, thanks, the dance class was great, as usual; it's belly dancing, and there's this bit at the start where we all stand in circle and shout. It's very good for stress!

Good luck tomorrow, I'm at work tomorrow so will probably be back on at the weekend. X:-)

Hi Tea_Fiend, It sounds too me as if you have a severe case of imposter syndrome, so severe that you don't even see that you've got it! You must be up to this or they wouldn't have accepted you onto the PhD. I think you've had poor, if well meaning, supervision for he last year. Your second sup sounds on the ball and straight up, so how about cultivating them, and getting more of this stimulating advice? My research has come on massively since I swapped to a supervior who could see my project properly and was direct in pointing out where I've been going wrong. It makes all the difference to the quality of work produced, and to motivation. A break-down and poor supervision in the first third of the PhD is a lot to deal with. Many people go through delays and difficulties of various kinds, so I definitely think you can turn this around.

P.s. You can still have a social life while you're doing a PhD, in fact, it's a must to keep your spirits up.

Hi Monkey, yeah, I agree with Nadia: my findings seem really obvious and every day to me, but that's because I see 'em every day! But because of conferences and things, I know they're not to other people - that takes me by surprise. Maybe it's the same for you?

Your PhD doesn't have to instigate a revolution, what you describe sounds fine to me anyhow. Your sup should be able to judge of your work is ready or not, so they shouldn't have let you go this far if the work's not ok.

Hi Folks, I hope you don't mind if I join you. I haven't read the Bolker book, but this seems like a good way to motivate and keep track of myself, I'm sat here in my pyjamas, willing myself to have a productive day, so I'm going to give this a go.

Aims for the day (after getting dressed!)

Work on my second case study chapter outline:

1. Establish the important points I want to make in this chapter.
2. Work out a clear structure for my second case study chapter outline, in light of my new approaches, and new, improved writing style.
3. Re-write the chapter outline in light of the above.

I'd like to get this done by about 6pm, when I get ready for my dance class.

Bilbo, you are soooo right! My boss was in on Friday saying her husband and kid had it, so if this is true, she should not have been anywhere near the uni then anyway. Also, it seems a bit soon to be physically able to get back to work, so I'm starting to suspect wolf crying, either scenario is not good though, and another **** up at my department so far this term. I am flabbergasted that someone with swine flu could be willfuly spreading it about the uni. But! I'm going too stop thinking about it now, and get some more work done on the PhD, because the shenanigans at my department have taken enough of my time and energy already. 

Well! My boss who was off with Swine flu on Monday and Tuesday is back at work today, and doing the rounds of admin offices, students and academics. So, either half of our place will be off with it soon, or the swine flu was an excuse for a sickie after all.

Hii Il Capitano,


I had a similar problem when first applying for PhD because the uni I was applying to insisted that one of my three references had to be from my MA institution; I got round it by getting the academic registrar to give me a report based on my academic records, and that worked.

However! As others have said, you may not need a reference from your MA, so unless they've said you do, just go for the people who are going to give you the best reference. Good luck. :-)

I'm salivating a lot...

I got a bag of pick and mix sweets, tonight at the cinema. Delllicious, slurrrrp, slurrp...

My boss is off with swine flu at the minute; I saw her Friday, but have been ok since. There are posters all over the show at my uni, but no-one is jumping up and down about it. I've evn heard some people say they suspect my boss of faking it, that they think she had swine flu earlier in the year too, so it's been talked about as a serious issue.

Hello all forum folk, I've been writiing for about an hour now, and feel much better. So thank you for helping me through my dark day yesterday, much appreciated. Love Esk XX

Yeah, I'm really tempted, but I reckon if Dave could get any mileage out of you he would be ruthless, that's the best part of the show! Maybe when I'm really old and I don't care any more. I don't get people who cook stuff for the first time either, fools! The people who get loads of help, but don't tell the other diners usually do really well, but I'm not sure I could get through the week without blurting it out.

If you ever do Come Dine With Me you need to spend all of the 100 quid they give you on food and drink, the people who skimp never win. Words of wisdom from Eska here. Timing also needs to be spot, so they're not waiting for food, and don't have anythong too odd around the house. I'd do it in a shot if it wasn't on TV, I'm just not ready for that public a profile - I've done fantasy Come Dine With Me in my head a few times though - keep it simple, no entertainment, invest time and money in the food and drink.