Good to see that Britain is a land of so much mediocre talent.

I can't help feeling that this post is a nasty little joke.

Sleepyhead, my first advice to you would be to join the UCU. Your branch and regional office will be able to give all the advice and support you need, including taking strike action, if that's what the branch decides - strike action is a collective decision taking by a recognised representative organisation.

You need to be aware that you cannot just take strike action. There is a process to go through. And whilst I am in favour of workers being able to walk out even if it means breaking the law, you would be very unwise to do this on your own. Seriously join the union, raise the issue with your branch members - they will be well acquainted with the way in which teaching assistants, just like hourly paid lecturers, are treated. If you don't have a viable branch, contact your regional reps. Website of UCU is
http://www.ucu.org.uk/

My second message above should flow directly from first. Someelse got in there too quick

Take a deep breath, remember that your supervisors are busy people and are unlikely to be dwelling on their PhD students all the time. Set yourself realisable, try to prepare well your meetings with your supervisor so you feel more confident, set yourself nugget sized goals for the next few months, and I'm sure you'll be amazed how far you have progressed this time next year. And remember you are not surrounded by a load of confident PhD colleagues who are breezing through their first year with ease, i.e, you are not alone!

Dear InaPickle, you sound just like me. I frequently feel utterly stupid and dwell on the stupid things that I say for days (or longer). My partner is a lecturer and assures me that the studnts he feels most frustrated with are the arrogant ones who think they know it all, coupled with the ones that are clearly not putting any effort into their studies. It takes time to get into the flow of academia and even learn to feel comfortable with the language and the ability to articulate your thoughts clearly.

I am now beginning to feel better, thanks to subsequent messages. A few years back I left a job that was as boring as it was well paid (obscenely well paid). Since then I have done a Masters and dabbled in research as an assistant. I am lucky to have got a university studentship otherwise I would never have been able to do it (family, mortgage etc - feel horribly guilty that I am depriving my kids of the charmed life they could have had, had I not quit my job, I figure a poor - relatively speaking - mum is better than an unhappy one). My interviewees knew my age and still gave me the studentship, so obviously they didn't think I was a busted flush.

Orian, you have just totally depressed me. I have just turned 40 and am about to embark on a fully funded 4 year studentship. I am now beginning to wonder why I am bothering.

Thanks all

I had already chased up pg admin and central research unit in June. Have just phoned (yet again - I didn't want to be put down as a troublemaker before starting!)to hear that papers were held up in the deans office and should be receiving letters soon. The administrator was very apologetic about the long wait. I have checked terms times but wanted to know when the MRES induction would start (trying to fit in driving lessons before I emabark on it plus want to ensure that eldest daughter's first month in secondary school is relaxed). Am happy now as. Thanks for the advice.

Thank you Shani for your reply. Its a University studentship, there was one ESRC studentship which presumably went to another better applicant. I was told that I would receive a formal confirmation from the university Research Office in June. I shall just have to be patient (or nag administration).
Thanks

In May I attended an interview for a research studentship. I was sucessfully nominated for a 1+3 faculty studentship and told I would received formal confirmation from the research degrees office within a month. I have still heard nothing, despite contacting them. Is this normal. I am concerned as I have jacked in my research assistant post to take up the studentship and also would like to know when in September the MRES in the first year actually starts (as a mum this is quite important information). Is this lact of confirmation/information normal, or should I start worrying?

Am new to forum - thanks in advance for any response