Arrgh... Ok, maybe I am the one who is going to sound naive, and I understand where you are coming from (especially as I struggle to take criticism in general) but maybe it'd help to see things from a different angle - like, she's not just trying to be objective and all, but trying to protect you and just help you improve your work?

I mean, I'm just starting my PhD (have not even had my first meeting with my supervisor yet!) but I've been working for various universities for a while, in direct contact with lecturers most of the time, and many of them just like the tough love sort of thing... To be honest those are, I believe, the most "caring" of all!

Not sure it'll help you find some motivation again right now, but in case... Anyhow, you shouldn't blame yourself, it IS hard to cope with criticism, especially if you feel it is justified. It's just a case of giving yourself a little time to get over it and react appropriately - I think ;-)

Thanks! :-)

I will try Zotero then - best way to figure if it works for me really.

For the library I'm not sure as I'm totally new to the university. I have an appointment with a subject librarian next week though, I'll ask then.

Hey you all!

One year and half of silence from me but I have some good news now - I got that scholarship! The last month has been hectic - left job 1 on the 17th, job 2 Tuesday, moved to my new place and finished the registration with the University just yesterday... What a race...

Now I'm (almost) settled in, I'm contemplating the work ahead. I have one question for you all by the way (maybe it's been answered already, and I know it's been discussed anyway, but I can't find where exactly): is there any free bibliographical referencing software I can get somewhere? That is compatible with Mac? I know Endnote but I'm not keen on it - and not keen on paying for it...

What do you mean by "bilingual" studies? Is your interest in like bilingual couples' kids who grow up learning two languages?

If you just mean learning/ speaking a second language in general, a very good start would be to look at the Stephen Krashen's books on second language acquisition. I can't remember which one it was (sorry), but one of them also had an excellent literature review on first/second language learning. Also look into Universal Grammar (Chomsky)- although it's older I don't think you can ignore Chomsky when looking at linguistics... well, maybe I'm saying this because I like him

However I always thought that the "per person" thing was more like a myth, derived probably from all those celebs who fly on their own?

I'll investigate this further when back!

Indeed Shani.

As a matter of fact, the same applies to 4x4 - the do emit much more CO2 per kilometre than, say, a Mondeo... but a lot less than lots of dream cars! I found a very interesting article here:

http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/driving/features/article1381139.ece

But I have not been able to find more about the plane thing yet, and I won't have time today as I must pack... I'm flying back to France for the week-end, lol.

"i read somewhere once that one intercontinental flight is about as bad, carbon-footprint-wise, as a full year of driving your own car. so he might have been right..."

I actually have a question about this. I mean, I THINK the reasoning behind this as an argument is often flawed. We're talking about the carbon footprint of a whole plane, aren't we? Not about each passenger's? So, let's say we have a big plane (makes sense for an intercontinental flight) with about 500 passengers. That means that the carbon footprint for each passenger would be equivalent to 18 hours of driving approximately, right? (Or not? I s*ck at maths ).

Sorry, it's slightly off topic, but in case hatethelab meets another geek who likes to think of himself as more environment-friendly than others...

Mmm, it's like 20.30 and I'm starting to think I made the wrong bet again

Never had that problem!

I was asked to produce evidence that I was registered with a UK University (special letter from registration office, so it took a while) and got my account ok at HSBC, presenting only the said letter, a passport and proof of residence. I got a debit card and a fair overdraft allowance without even asking, and no maintenance fee! I found it odd as they did not even ask about my income, parental back-up or my own savings abroad... but then it happened

I would suggest to shout at them a little... I don't remember doing this but it has worked out for me, and pretty well too, with banks here and abroad.

HSBC has a savers' account online which is good, and I don't think you need approval from anyone to open one of those as long as you are already an existing HSBC customer.

Good luck!

Just made a bet on Chelsea (with my boyfriend though, nothing serious - the loser cooks, lol).

Not that I like Chelsea, but I actually hate ManU with all my heart... ooops, sorry!

Grr, sorry for all the typos...

I don't know, but it seems to be me the English system as a whole is much nicer to pupils and students (money matters left aside).

Rule in France seems to be, mean average grade of students is between 10 and 11/20 - which means that a significant proportion fail their year each year, get to do it all over again, and if they fail again, they're out...

I've found it much easier in the UK then in France

I finished my undergrad degree with a 14/20, which, although it is not the best one can do, is a h*** of a good result. What made it harder was not to be able to choose any modules, and having many more of them to take per term.

However, there is one thing that maybe made it a bit easier: you do not need, in general, to pass all your modules. They are grouped in bigger units, for which you need a pass. So for instance I didn't care about getting a 9/20 in linguistics (a pass is 10) as I got 18 in grammar and they were in the same unit, and so on.

If you want to research in Education (do I get it right?) then a PGCE would certainly be useful, but is not necesssary. I know a girl who got accepted for one and did really well. She had a MA in History I believe, dissertation not related to Education at all.

Her boyfriend was doing a PGCE with me and he said he always had the frustrating impression she was learning a lot more than him by doing field research, without actually getting to teach. What I see for sure, it saved her a LOT of trouble, work, and tears. PGCEs are certainly difficult, especially if you are not 200% "it's all about the kiddies"-minded.

"Until not too long ago, about 80% of all new partners met at their workplace" - I really thought the majority of people met through friends actually! I don't want to add to that debate, which I guess depends a lot on where you come from - honest I never even dated a guy from my school when I was sixteen, always thought it was too much potential trouble, so as far as my job is concerned, gosh... Lol, however I do a job which is primarily given to teachers who are about to retire, and I'm 26, so I guess it doesn't apply

Error404, you say "Potential complication. I am gay" - I am not sure, but it might actually make things even easier, I mean as far as your colleagues' opinion is concerned, being discreet and all that... To the eyes of many, your relationship could easily pass for friendship in that case (-or am I being too naive?).