What to do with the PhD? I want to work for a big NGO helping improve humanitarian policy and practice... I want to write books about politics and humanitarianism... I want to do pottery! Defo don't want to go into academia!

Hi! It sounds like you would be the best qualified to answer your own question which is why I think no one has replied?! In general for research I tend to use Robson's 'Real World Research'. It is a good, solid textbook with plenty of info on survey research to get you started... Hope this helps

Jayney

Congrats! you are all set and funded for four years. Hurray!

Hi there. I am halfway through my second year of four and not working as much as I think I should be! last year I worked manically to get my MRes and justify my studentship... I was very unsure and so, I think, I got a lot done because I am being put forward for my MPhil to PhD status meeting earlier than everyone else... having said that though I currently work very little! At the mo I think about work CONSTANTLY I really do, but don't get many words down on paper. My colleagues at uni are quite the same, they work in uni all day, but I know from going to to say hi that they have a long old lunch and meet for coffee and suchlike through the day - but they think they work more than me because they are on campus between certain hours. It is all very individual. Glad to hear more people are fairly relaxed at the moment... won't last for long I am sure!

it's a buffet. Oh I HOPE we are sat down. I assumed it would be people stood up in little clique, then me there with a wee plate of sausage rolls on my todd...
x

PS SO sorry to hijack thread. will leave well alone now! xx

How did it go?! SO much better than you anticipated I am sure...

Jayney x

Hi!

I have this exact same problem! I am going to my first seminar/workshop on Friday and am so nervous. I am friendly and chatty but very shy so the thought of having to go up to people and randomly start small talk (hate it, can't do it!) is terrifying. Plus, we have lunch FIRST, then get into the seminar which is going to be very hard nad I won't have a clue how to approach anyone or what to say! I feel your pain BUT equally, am sure it will never be as bad or scary as we think...!

Good luck! xx

Hi! I hope you and family are well... May I ask, how is it to be back post baby?! I am in my second year of four years and looking to start a family next year... any advice?!

Good luck with all the paper - remember, the hardest part is starting...

Jayney x

Hi! I am 18 months into my PhD and I would definitely say that I have gotten more confident over time. To start with I felt really out of my depth and like a 'lucky' fraud who had winged her way in. The other people on my course where generally quite a bit older and had more work experience which was daunting. Plus, a few other people were teaching straight away or presenting at conferences or writing a lot - I was totally terrified as I was just bumbling along, reading and handing in work for my supervisor as and when. THEN, I passed the first year and realised I had had no serious criticism yet and maybe, just maybe, I deserved to be here. I worked so hard to prove to everyone and me that I desereved to be there. This year I am much more settled and confident and even looking forward to my first conference and getting something small published. last year I was terrified of going to conferences! All in your own time!

hey Jojo! I love this diary - it is so inspiring and informative! I am trying to write my first chapter let alone the whole thing - having a break down of how you are doing each day, how long you are working for and when is really helpful because i too am erratic regarding when I am productive. Recently I have been trying to shoehorn myself into a routine but perhaps a routine isn't for me, just work when you can... Keep it up and good good good luck!

Hi! I live 45 mins away from my uni - on the greenbelt and generally i much prefer it. However, I have found that i haven't bonded with others in the department well because i don't go to uni very often at all and miss seminars and research group meetings because I think the time spent commuting would be better spent working. I would like to live in town so I went to these seminars more and just get myself around the department or could pop to the library. I think it depends so much on how you like to work - I am very happy working from home and only rarely miss hanging around at uni and drinking coffee and chatting - I generally catch up when I go and see my supervisor anyway (and get berated for not going in and socialising enough!). Also, interestingly, sometimes others in the department can make me feel stressed but at home I live in a happy, productive bubble! It is probably important that you can get to a good uni library as well in case you need *that* book! good luck!

Hey there. I find this thread fascinating in the light of conversations with my colleagues at uni. We have all admitted that we feel overwhelmed by the PhD and that we can't do or feel like frauds, yet we say we each other is so clever and capable! I had a terrible time last year being confident enough to feel I was worth a place on my course but this year I have settled down and am enjoying it so much more - because i finally relented and let myself believe i was worth being here. Leave your work for a while, go and see a friend and please put it all into perspective. You can do it - you *are* doing it - my word it is hard but remember to look after yourself too. When I feel really stressed I always run away from it (the PhD) and feel guilty - maybe that's when you need someone there to encourage a bit of running away and to tell you you have worked hard so far now is time to chill, just for a bit, and get some mental strength back?! or come on here! good luck!

I took your advice and am now working out all the sections of this chapter, will write each one seperately and then link them together. What fantastic advice - it would never have occured to me not to write it in a linear style and so I am incredibly grateful. Wow! I am working again! Thanks guys!!

Ah thank you! It is so lovely to know I am not just being whiny, I just cannot focus even though I love what I do and am so grateful to be funded so I can sit here all day and wonder. It is true that I have too many ideas for this chapter, conceptually it is the most important one and am all of a muddle. Usually I am good at just writing, jsut to get soemthing down. At the moment though I am rechecking and having to completely revise this chapter but am stuck at each paragraph and unable to move on - I am a bit of a perfectionist 'tis true. Although aren't we all?!

hello! Don't worry too much about the first year - It is an important time to gain confidence and knowledge, to work around your broad ideas and gain that little gem of original knowledge that will spark your PhD off, to organise research questions, a case study/ lab details, to gain a vague title and to shuffle papers! I was sent out by my supervisor to chat to others in the department which helped a lot in understanding how a 'research community' works. Also, in our dept we had to write a new research proposal at the end of the final year which helped so, so much. I am halfway through my second year and I use this research proposal all the time to remind myself of my focus and the point to it all! It helped me shed all my immature ideas from when I first started and provided a new lit. review, had to be thoughtful and show how my work was original. The feedback was invaluable too. Good luck, and enjoy it!