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Hi Eska,



What kind of medical trials? My bf works in this field and I know there are different types eg.. those type of interventional trials which apply and test treatments, new medications or different types of therapy, and then there are those which focus on disease prevention, diagnosis or detection. 

Then (i know a lot of students do these ones) --where you have to fill out questionnaires or give blood/urine samples etc so that they can assess prevalence of disease in certain groups.

COuld you ramble on about the different types of medial trials? I could give you more info and or examples. M,x

Hi Jojo, give yoga a try maybe? M.x

I fancy my boyfriend's brother. M,x

Hi the only thing that works for me is to step away from it entirely, put it down and try not to think about it for a while. Personally, I'd say leave it for 5-6 days and I know this might be a bit of a cliche and not very practical at all, but if you keep a notepad on you, you can scribble ideas down as and when (and if!) they come. Then look at it more objectively and from a new perspective. Good luck,M,x.
Ps. I get writers block all the time with both academic writing, and fiction writing.

Hi guys,

I'm just wondering how often you take a break, and for how long? I don't just mean weekends, I mean a holiday, a trip, some time out where you completely shut off, without thinking about work? How often in the space of a year? I'm only 2.5 months into my PhD and I have a lot to do but it's not too overwhelming yet. I might go home at Christmas for two-three weeks without the books, or the lap top (it infuriates my 'supportive' parents). I'm feeling a bit guilty for it though and just wondering how often the rest of you shut off from the PhD, or do you ever!?. M,x

Hello,
Don't worry, there could be any number of reasons why he/she has not replied yet. When I was looking around PhDs I contacted lots of different universities and did not hear back from everyone I got in touch with straight away, or if at all. It's a good idea to send emails from a generic email address, and also to make sure your message is assertive, and explains why you have contacted this person specifically. If you know the institution you want to go to could you contact a postgraduate advisor/someone in admissions/or just any one else who might know who you could contact? Alternatively, you could send a polite follow up after a while (they might just be really busy). Good luck. M,x

Hi Zana, I'm not so sure about History but could send you a succesful personal statement for an English Literature masters if that would help in any way?

Walminksi--I think you deserve a 'helpful user' for that comment, so might just click it for you. Clevercloggs you'll need to keep trying...! M,
:p

Guys not sure how I managed this but I have a 20 minute presentation to write for Thursday which I have not started, or even thought about yet. I managed to write the wrong week in my diary; I hate myself. Going to be a long week for me too...M,x

Arrested development?!

Hello! I filled it in for you, good luck, M.x

Sorry, I'm not trying to be negative at all. I'm just disclosing my personal experience--as the question asks. In my institution, and in my field (humanities), at PhD level the same provisions are not made for me as they are for undergraduate students. The attitude I have been met with is that at the end of the day, the work just has to be done, and it has to meet a certain standard. It is up to me to get there. At times it has been frustrating, but I am here, and it is absolutely fine. I really don't think that many people who I work with understand much about dyslexia to be honest, and it can be hard to explain. I chose not to declare it on my application form - it was just a personal choice. I study literature, and there are not many PhD students here with dyslexia.

I think its important that people who are working closely with you are made aware of your areas of difficulty, and I do think it's worth seeking any help that you can get (as I said below). I'm sure (well, I hope) that having dyslexia won't put you off going for a PhD, and I'm sure you'll do great.

People have difficulties which don't fall under the umbrella of 'dyslexia' and they also have to learn to cope, so even if you are the only dyslexic person in your department (which I doubt you will be), you are not alone in feeling apprehensive about making mistakes. Good luck, M,x

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I think the key is just to be honest and explain how you feel,and your difficulties to your supervisor. They may or may not be receptive to it, but at least you'll have done your bit. I think that at PhD level its a given that you aren't looking for any favours or special treatment, OR that you are prepared to let your dyslexia hold you back. However, everyone has their difficulties and your university might be able to accommodate for yours. It's worth speaking to someone about it. I know exactly how you feel though --being apprehensive about making mistakes. No matter how many times I proof-read my work, I ALWAYS miss something. But, don't worry about it and take it in your stride- you'll do great! M,x

I'm so sorry I can't offer any help for I have no experience with this kind of thing, but GOOD LUCK for tomorrow, and the structure looks good, and don't be nervous, I'm sure you'll boss it. M,x

Hello,

Yes I have dyslexia and I am doing a PhD. I am in the humanities, and since my subject requires a lot of reading and writing, I chose not to declare it on my application. I have told my supervisor though, since I started. I told her in an email I think, kind of a 'by the way, I'm dyslexic' type thing. It's something that doesn't come up too much, and isn't much of a problem unless I am working to a deadline, planning an essay, or if I am a bit stressed.

One thing I would say about it is that dyslexia affects people in many different ways. I don't really have a problem with writing-- my spelling isn't great, but it isn't dreadful. My difficulties lie in my organisational skills, time-keeping, memory, my attention to detail is dreadful, my work is often a bit sloppy. I also have problems articulating my ideas, verbally, and on paper. Therefore, I really have to work hard to ensure that I am up to the standard of everyone else. Giving presentations is hard because I am rubbish at reading outloud. Therefore, I really need to know my stuff if I am speaking.

While it is true that you cannot be discriminated against because of your dyslexia, believe me--at PhD level, the "I'm dyslexic" card does not get you very far. I remember at one point during my MA I told my supervisor that I had "...a problem with planning and structuring essays because I don't really see things in a linear fashion..." Well, I had to just stop talking, because he wasn't listening. In fact, he interrupted and changed the subject. I remember another time being picked up on for my grammar at MA level, and I started saying that I'd get a proof-reader because I couldn't really help it, and I was told (very bluntly) "Or you could just listen to what I tell you and you won't make this mistake again". Fair point really, I don't think I ever have made that particular grammatical error again...

Good luck.
M,x