Hey there

Well, I am paper crazy. I can't stand looking at and reading notes and papers on the computer so have tonnes of paper everywhere when I am nearing the end of a big piece of work. I find that paper makes everything much easier to have to hand as well, on the comp you have to go through files and it just isn't as easy to place where you 'read that quote that you must have NOW!'.

Not good for the environment though, but the papers get a LOT of wear!

You can't scrawl all over the comp either...

Goood luuuuck!

Am coming to the end of my first one... Is this your first?

J x

Hey guys

Sorry about the dumdum question here... I have always used the harvard system and have been made to start to use footnotes. I am just finishing up my first chapter (wooo!) and just don't know how I am to reference a page in my footnote. In the harvard system I would go: Binky boggs (2006: 3) to show it is page 3. in the text as am writing, and then write the full ref later. How do I do this in a footnote where I have the entire book ref in it? does it go at the end? is it Pp. 3 or Cf. 3? I have seen these and don't know what they mean. This honestly sounds totally stupid and I apologise. I have looked online but there isn't anything very clear and my sup won't talk to me about it as it's so mundane and 'obvious'!!

ANY HELP most appreciated. Please don't tell me off for how silly the Q is. am really not all that bright! any internet links as well or owt would be fab.

TIA
J x

I think I posted last time you mentioned this... Generally I took up exercise last year to manage stress and it has worked wonders for my waistline too! If my work isn't going well then I can go for a swim/run/gym and often the exercise naturally perks you up (endorphins)or just makes you feel like you achieved something in a day that otherwise was going downhill. Also, I can never think about work and exercise at the same time. Just doesn't happen so it's a good rest. I would recommend it to anyone who is doing a stressful, insular course such as this. Go for it!

Hi there

I am in year two of four on my PhD and funded. My funding 'contract' stipulates that I work 37 hours a week and have 8 weeks a year holiday. I don't take that much holiday at all, and find that some weeks I work hardly at all (or, rather, produce little but am 'at work'), and other times (like now!) I work all day every day to meet the deadline.

Last year I was in the first year and worked 6.5 days a week, to get on top of the work and because I was constantly. However, I realised that without evenings and weekends off I would burn out before a few more months was up, let alone another three years. I would say as well that hours seem to differ between lab-based scientists and humanities people. The former seem to work under a lot more sustained pressure in a work environment. I am the latter though so this is a generalisation...

Jayney

Yay! am glad you smiley. Will you let us know your decision?

take care,
J x

Calm down guys. I did say that it may be easier or HARDER to get the 75%!! My generalisation comes from the fact that I have a VERY international department and lots of people aren't up to scratch at all in the first year, but are very good at home. But this is not generally from EU countries...

so take that one and roll with it!

J x

I don't think it would necessarily be accurate to transfer a percentile mark over from a marking system overseas because the course may not reflect the same work - may be harder or easier to get the 75%. The English academic system is known for being much harder than many overseas unis. I would stick to saying what you got in Greek terms. If 75% is excellent then fine, go ahead and say you got a first, but some places 75% is like a C grade... I know because we have a very international department at my uni...

Just to be a pain... x

My airy-fairy take on it is to always go with your instinct and your heart. I think enjoying the topic is essential.

Also, if you enjoy your topic and are at an institution that you have great confidence in then the funding may well come later - you don't know. You may get lots of paid teaching and research assistant posts. You may be allowed a sabbatical to work somewhere. However, in London you shan't be able to change the reputation, insitution, the project or the supervisor...

If you can even vaguely work out how to fund your first few months, if you were my friend I would say go to Oxford! What an opportunity!

Anyways... Good luck with your decision!

I feel your pain.

It's 'Tong' btw, not 'Tongue'...

!!

Good Luck with the focus group!

I am funded by the ESRC and I am pretty sure it says that if I leave or don't complete without a darned good reason I have to pay my monies back. I find it terrifying! Do you think that's not true then?

Wow that sounds really harsh. I can't help I'm afraid but wanted to show support - be strong! Defo terrible supervisor, chin up and good luck x

I see my sup whenever I have a deadline looming to go over my work, and after the deadline to organise new work. He is really really chilled out. This means prob every few months! I am very independent and work best under my own steam, I hate being watched over my shoulder or being told what to do! My sup is so accommodating I know that if I need to see him he is there, and he is very responsive on email. I don't email him much though because I don't really need to. He is the kind of guy that doesn't suffer fools gladly so I like to remain distant and sort out my probs myself, then go and see him to show off my new ideas. Bit backwards I know but I could never go to him and whine about my work. When we get together we talk for over an hour and get on really well. My friend however sees her very demanding sup every week and is going mad with it. I don't know what you guys all talk about every week! Sadly I don't make enough progress week on week...

Well I would say the social sciences are pretty broad so maybe narrow it down a bit for us? Generally though I would say go onto google and put in as many combos of your field and the words meeting/seminar/conferences etc you can and see what appears... It is sometimes a bit hit-and-miss. Maybe there is a lovely list out there I am in social sciences though and not come across it yet! Or you may be able to try your dept secretary? They may get info about this kind of thing and be able to name a couple for you to get you started. Or your sup, obviously. Some of the journals for my field also have conferences... Dunno about yours though but a lead nonetheless!!

hope this helps a bit.

Hey guys

I like your blog too!

I would say that I am at work from 9-5 and some days I work like a demon and time flies by, and others I wonder from site to site on the internet being distracted. Sometimes I am happy, relaxed and confident and love my work, sometimes I feel low, unable to match the task and stressed. That's a PhD to me. It's not a full-on, completely full-time crazy-genius type of experience. It's my job. And I never take myself too seriously.