Oh! Can I join the Procrastination Club too? I'm highly skilled y'know...

I've organised my (molecular biology) methods by chapter. Where I've used a single technique in more than one chapter I've referred back to the M&M section where it was first mentioned. Hope this helps!

"Will any university accept a student for PhD if that student is currently doing a PhD in another university but due to some "difficulties" wants to quit?"

I think if you are tactful about why you want to change courses and put a positive spin on it then it should be fine. A guy in my lab did this just a few months back, and another of my friends did something similar about 5 years ago.

I don't think you should be so hard on yourself. I've worked in a load of jobs unrelated to my PhD to keep myself going over the years. To make you feel better... I've worked in a fast-food establishment, a number of increasingly seedy restaurants, a couple of shops and (wait for it...) a double glazing call centre *hangs head in shame*. I enjoyed all of them and made some good friends. At least you ARE working, you have self-respect from that, surely? And the free time in the day gives you valuable job hunting time.

Part-time job? I worked in a chocolate shop for a couple of months when the funding ran out. I was ever so sorry to leave... How about invigilating/ marking exam scripts/ demonstrating etc?

You’ve definitely made the right choice. Those contacts come in useful, by the way – I’m starting my first post-doc in four weeks due to one of my contacts…!

Hiya, I organised a weekly seminar series for a year and a half and also a one-off two-day conference. It IS a lot of hard work, but I would fully recommend doing it.

A few months in: "Well, you simply aren't working hard enough I'm afraid". At 10am on a Sunday morning when I'd already been in for two hours.

I wouldn't worry. I'm in a similar position - 4th year on 3 years funding (Molecular Biology) with no papers.

I've applied for three post-doc jobs and have been invited for interview for two in the next couple of weeks, so i don't think it really matters. I'm hoping that IF I get one of them I will be organised enough to write my papers promptly in my spare time...

I had no problem with any of the high street lenders. I had to show stipend pay cheques from the three months prior to applying and a letter from my University stating that I had the scholorship guaranteed. They were all happy with that.

If you go for a fixed-term deal, make sure that it won't end in your writing up year when you have no income (if this applys), as I'm currently having problems remortgaging. It seems the bank d not believe two people can live off what we do live off, so we can't get the cheaper mortgage as we can only afford the base rate... but that is another problem all together... (and breathe...)

Sure it's been done before, but am obviously too dumb to find the topic...

I'm applying for post-docs (biological sciences) at the moment and all the forms have these 'Personal Statement' sections. Any hints or advice on the best way to fill these in? What do these people want me to say now? Isn't it enough that I've filled in reams and reams of previous form?? (Links to past topics welcome)

Thanks

Nope, not alone...

In addition to described symptoms, I'm experiencing the craziest mood swings - this had never happened until I started Writing The Thesis. My doctor says it's probably down to stress as well.

I had no problem getting a mortgage based on my scholorship. My partner works, so had to provide three months of wage slips. I had to provide a letter from the university and my cheque stubs from the scholorship money. We went with Lloyds in the end, but all the high street banks were willing to take us on.

Hope this helps

It's so annoying isn't it?! I especially hate the inevitable question of: "yes, but when are you going to get a PROPER job?". FFS. How very tiresome it is to have to explain to people. And when you do, they tell you that you shouldn't really "work that hard anyway". Gah.

Poor you. Any specific reason tht you want to talk about? Or is it just general PhD-ness (from which I am suffering greatly at the moment...)?