Guys, can any one recommend a really good contemporary novel? I'm looking for a bit of an easy read but nothing trashy. The only fiction I ever read is 18th/19th c and/or classics and I want to take my mind off my work for a bit. Thanks! M,x

With regards to my own university, I completely agree Eska, and just to throw a bit more cynicism in: more than half of my department are complete tossers. Honestly, some of the debates that come up in my research seminars leave me absolutely baffled and/or appalled. One thing I notice is how defensive and opinionated some people can be about ridiculous or petty things. Another thing I detest is when people make it clear that they regard their own topic as harder/more important etc. Sometimes I just sit there thinking GET OVER YOURSELVES.

Of course, there are also some really nice and wonderful lecturers/students/postdocs.  I'm not saying that everyone is awful but I really do get the impression sometimes that there are some people in academia (or at least, in my uni) who are just living in a little bubble. M,x

======= Date Modified 17 Dec 2009 10:07:24 =======
Cobweb: if you know what you're writing about, I'd say a week to write 5000 words. 900 words a day (sometimes less, sometimes more) and then one day to edit etc. That's how I work any way. It usually takes me longer to research/gather my thoughts etc though.

Is 3-4 weeks to redraft 30,000 words? I think that's plenty of time xxx

aaaaahahaha bless him. :p

I definitely have time for a social life at the moment but I am only three months into my first year. I guess it will get a lot more full on as the year progresses. If you've been accepted with just a BA then I'm sure you're more than capable so don't worry too much! There are two girls in my research class who come in every Monday making a big deal of how hungover and tired they are and how little work they have done, and they're making really good progress. So good luck. M,x

I sent my supervisors a card and deliberated for AGES about what to write inside them. In the end I put "A Very Merry Christmas from Maria x" Rather than 'LOVE MARIA'. I was then told that even the 'x' was a bit inappropriate but I don't really care, it's Christmas. M,x

Bllleeeeeeeurghh (down)

======= Date Modified 15 Dec 2009 15:39:44 =======
Hi Button,

First of all, don't worry too much about this (easier said than done). Remember it's all a learning curve. How much does it count towards the final MA and can it seriously affect your final mark? I'd question it if is going to upset your chances of achieving the final grade/result which you have in mind. If it's not going to do any harm, I'd be inclined to mull over the comments for a few days. Then come back, re-read the work and see if you still feel the same.

During my MA I was very close to complaining about some ridiculously harsh criticism on an essay (you wouldn't believe how harsh--it pretty much said I was illiterate), because all of my other marks had been really good up until this point. I asked for a meeting with the marker, and they asked me to just think about it for a few days and then come back to them. I did, and I was able to see where some of the bad comments were comming from. I still believe he is a very strict marker, but I'm glad I didn't complain because (depending on your subject) the marker's opinion always plays a part, and you might just have a harsh reviewer. Who's to say you won't again?

For me, I think it worked out for the best in the end, because I really learned from some of the comments and I think it made future work better.

Of course, having said all that, in your case, your work might have been treated very unfairly, and not just strictly. In this case, it is worth following up.

Good luck. M,x

Also, just want to add that you have my sympathy entirely and that I hate nothing more than criticism which isn't constructive.

Hi Cobweb, I'm in my first year (three months in). At the moment I haven't really done much yet so kind of feel like it must be the calm before the storm. It's going well though (so far). I'm doing 18thC. British Lit, what about you? M,x

Hello! I'm in the humanities too (English Lit/Literary History); this thread is a really good idea. (tree) M,x

(up)(turkey)(tree)(snowman)(robin)(gift)(mince)(sprout)8-):-);-):p

Congratulations!! M,x

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!(gift)(snowman)(up)

Okay, thanks Sue! M,x(gift)