I agree ironing is an affront to human rights!!!! unless it's for a job interview.

But Bug,this is why you think just conquering one universe and not two hundred over the Christmas holidays is slacking off!!! we spend time shopping doing laundry, at our toilette etc instead...

lunch can be amazing!!!! I'm hoping for some kind of curried soup today...

Oh Bug!! you only have one earing. We should start a fundraising initiative...

TK MAX!!!!! I just got beautiful biker style bomber jacket in navy blue for 9 quid wooop, woooooooop and a navy blue tule prom dress for 50 (reduced from 175!!!!! - an early birthday present) . The sales are brilliant. I've almost always worked around fashion and costume people so am hardwired to make an effort in public. But working at home is a completely different story - holey paint spattered tracksuit bottoms teamed with bed socks and a fleecey dressing gown. Wouldn't even open the door to the postman though!! My hair is defo washed less since starting the PhD, and I've put a bit of weight on. Oh well, one succumbs to priorities...

Yeah, I do feel a bit of depression after a while with marking, but I also feel some excitement when I first get their essays - I want kknow how well they've done. I get p'd off if things don't go in with them - I think, well do any of them actually listen!!! But on the whole they're ok. Mine are fashion students doing contextual studies so writing essays is quite an achievement for them not their usual thing.

I did have on joker in the last lot who I've given zero for plagiarising. What really p'd me off is that he didn't even make an effort to disgise it and seemed oblivious to the difference between his own stumbling prose and that of a professional academic writer. I defo would not spend an hour on each one though. There is only so much they can take in in one lot of feedback anyway.

Well, I'm just realising that I've spent the last year or so reading books cover to cover (7 or 8 plus!!!!) with no good reason and most of them barely relevant to my research. So how's that for wasting time???? Just thanking the great PhD in the sky I changed supervisors. You've got loads and loads done!!!

I'd consider that a very productive break!!! Sounds like you did a hell of alot to me. But, yes, I constanty feel as though I am behind and wasting time.

Hey Zelda and PamW thanks for the advice. I'm currently between supervisors and unis so will have to wait for any reading courses.

I'm so surprised people don't read the whole thing!! and am trying to get my head around it!!! I can see how that would work for alot of things, but the book I just read was the diary of a film maker, and I was searching for references to particular influences and approaches. I'm not sure how I would get that without close reading. 

My old sup told me to 'read the whole of books' so maybe this is something I should ignore and be more selective with my close reading!! mmmm maybe my life is about to get easier!!!!!!

Something I worry about, and feel I'm lacking in, is my reading speed. How long does it take people to read books and articles? And does anyone have any advice on reading fast. I think part of my problem is that I enjoy what I'm reading too much and bounce the ideas and words around in my head. It currently takes me about a week at 4 hours per day to read a 350 page book. I'm humanities and creating a new topic area, so am having to get to know core books from multiple topics - so would very much appreciate any advice on fast reading! I just got from 15 to 20 pages an hour at my fastest. It would also help me to know how fast others read, as there are discussions on writing but not reading.

Thanks in advance if you can help!!:-)

hi Newbie, That thought did also cross my mind!! although that's something she has to deal with, not you. Good luck.

For what it's worth, I don't agree at all. Why on earth should your sexuality or relationship status matter to your PhD and supervision? I think giving info about your relationships for this reason could be compromising to you - also what if you weren't in a relationship, does that mean she would then have something to worry about? Because, to me, that's what this tactic implies. Whatever the reason for her nerves and change of behaviour, it's her problem, not yours. As long as her behaviour doesn't get in the way of your supervision or PhD I'd just let her get over this mini crisis in her own time snd keep being professional.

Hey smilodon, I saw A Bunch of Amateurs just before christmas - it was great!! loads of fun.

I'm away until 2nd Jan,so won't be getting much at all done until then (unless vigurous shopping and hill walking counts). You all make me feel like a complete slacker...

Hi PhDnewbie, I've had that comment both times when submitting abstracts and was also accepted both times, but I don't know if its a standard response or not. All I can say is that waiting to hear about these things is always hard!! but if it'
s right for you then you'll get it and if not you won't. Good luck!! and Merry Christmas

Hi Neena! I'm in no man's land at the moment. I should be prepping for Christmas because I have loads to do for that, but can't let go of the feeling I should be PhDing, hence procrastinating on here! Have a great Christmas and congrats on the motivation. I'm off into the fray to buy some turkey food and gift boxes...