Asking an academic how long they take to write anything is like asking them how much meat they are packing down below.

They are not going to say its a bit of a cocktail, are they?

I went into my Phd straight after my MA. I struggled towards the end of the MA - basically I had gotten myself into a really negative headspace - writing for days and then waking up and deciding its crap and just deleting it all. Anyhow I started the Phd but started to feel like an imposter and wanted to ge as far away from it as possible. So I took temporary leave with the view of coming back the following year. The time came to contact my sup and I couldn't do it. I thought he would tell me I was a waste of his time etc. So I entered the real world of work. I really enjoyed it and got my self confidence back and started to think abot heading back into phd land. I contacted my sup and they said theyd be glad to have me. I was still extremely nervous and got myself into a bit of state but decided to just give it a go. I had been working on stuff for a few weeks before starting again - really just notes as I write as I read. I also gave him a rewritten conceptual model. I thought it would look good to give him something and so sent it to him. He thought it was a very positive start - even though it was a frist draft he said it was extremely well structured and well written - so much so that I'm going to be fast-tracked through differentiation.

My point is that just do it. Its better to regret doing something than regret doing nothing at all.

To echo Sneeks I think that supervisors are project managers more than anything. Again my sup is not an expert in my area but he is able to look at my conceptual model, question certain links between chapters, suggest different ways of approaching topics and how to generally shape a thesis that will get you published. I can't ask him any direct questions about what I am researching as its not his responsibility - its my job to answer my questions. I ask him more house working questions about style, structure etc more than anything.

Who let this one in?

Can anyone say here that they don't find their supervisor "interactions" - be it meetings or emails - really uncomfortable? I just feel like I'll never be able to reach the level expected (I am just starting tbf) but still I always feel stoopid doh!

Well during my meetings for my MA dissertation I was talking about some theorist and I could see my sups eyes starting to blink ALOT and then get heavy, and then he closed his eyes and lent back in his chair! I stopped talking. He jerked up in his chair, fixed his glasses, looked at me, and then said "Yes, I like the way this is going".

Going to see my supervisor is like going to the dentist. I really do get supernervous before hand and just clam up.

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Is it possible to export search results from WorldCat or OCLC straight into a bibliography format (probably in refworks?)

I start next week so dont have access to refworks as of yet.

I'm working on a biblio at the minute using Word but I'm too lazy to do all the formatting myself.

I am only starting this PHd journey so don't know if my view counts!

I am an English student so I dont know if its relevant to your research area but I think I will have an introduction. I'm thinking on having it based on a short story is not one of my main texts but opens up my research area, its main issues, and how I hopefully aim to show how narrative can give new insight into sociological debates (roughly something like this).

But I guess people in scientific fields will probably go for methodology breakdowns etc etc.

I am only starting this PHd journey so don't know if my view counts!

I am an English student so I dont know if its relevant to your research area but I think I will have an introduction. I'm thinking on having it based on a short story is not one of my main texts but opens up my research area, its main issues, and how I hopefully aim to show how narrative can give new insight into sociological debates (roughly something like this).

But I guess people in scientific fields will probably go for methodology breakdowns etc etc.

Hi!

I'm up for no real reason whatsoever.

I'm writing a historical/theoretical mapping of the flaneur. A brief overview has turned into 3000+ words. And I'm not sure if its even related to my thesis. But I'm reading new theorists/historians so its all good. More strings to the bow for when I introduce a proper men and masculinities module/research area in whatever uni employs me.

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Yeah it sounds like its the project rather than the fact of doing a PHd that might be the issue - so talk to someone not directly related to your project. WhenI applied for my Phd I had my project perfectly laid out and organised. That changed that summer after talking to my supervisor. I met my supervisor a few months later and we completely changed topic area AGAIN! so nobody is ever 100% sure what they want to do. And it can be sorted. Don't walk away is all I'm saying.

I'm a complete novice with spreadsheets and excel or access so bear with me!

I'm looking to set up a database (or spreadsheet) with all the documents that I read for my thesis (I'm an Eng student). I would like to be able to sort and resort the data when clicking on the title of each column - so click on date to sort it chronologically, or click on title to sort it alphabetically etc.

Could anyone help me please?! I'm sure its so obvious!

IMHO there is definitely an element of snobbery in Phd land regarding the amount of hours worked each week. Some people who I know love to give a running commentary of their working exploits on Facebook for example as some sort of validation.

Obviously its different for different people. I work 8-4 basically because this is the time my kids are at creche. Some days they are sick and stay at home and so I can't do anything. That's life. I do next to nothing at weekends.

keep calm - what is your phd on?

I'm studying Eng Lit as well focusing on contemporary American fiction.