Thanks Kronkodile
I have had a look and downloaded a template. I just need to get to work on it! So much to do, so little time....I am testing too, at the moment, so it is juggle juggle juggle.

Hello Everyone
I haven't been on here in ages but nice to see some familiar names still posting. I have been bogged down with a huge family crisis (eldest son broke his back during his gap year in South Africa, had to fetch him home)and now I am trying to grasp onto the threads of my PhD to keep some sanity in my life amidst the craziness of it all.
So...I have a poster presentation due on the 11th. I have done one before using 12 x A4 sheets but I want to do a single one on A1 format. I have downloaded a template in Power Point but it doesn't look marvellous. Has anyone have any resourses online that they can use to point me in the right direction to doing a super duper poster in super duper short time! Thanks :)

That is so funny and sadly, so true at the moment .

I have a student staying with us in her gap year to do her MSc in Sweden. She is Indonesian and comes up with funny things. Yesterday, after seeing me battle E-Prime all day and rush around with only 3 weeks till testing, she asked me if I knew what 'PhD' stood for? Solemnly, she said 'Permanent Head Damage', not sure how to take that, but it was quite funny.

Well, the good news is that I had a much better day with my Prof. In fact, the best one so far I took control! I made my notes and said my bits, which were taken well and I actually think he enjoyed me taking control for once, so thanks so much for the advice, shani. I have a lot to do in the next three weeks, I start testing February, 300 participants but I at least feel more positive now I know I have to send in all my final documentation for him to give the , I just hope he is not as critical as normal.

shani, perhaps you have a point. Because I am a mouse, I do tend to say 'yes' too much. sigh. I can't fault him as a person, he loves his subject and I am way ahead with my progress and I know he has my own PhD viva always in mind, he wants me to do well and not have anything to answer for. I just feel so very rushed along, swept along and out of control of the whole thing. I have a 2 and half hour trip tomorrow to get my head straight and try and pluck up some tiny courage from somewhere to perhaps, maybe, perhaps, squeak!! Seriously, I think it is a bit of both, me getting rushed along by not speaking up and saying 'yes' too much and his roaring ambition. Thanks for the input. Better prepare for an early start...will let you know how it goes!

I am in neuroscience and I am going to be doing fMRI work, which I find really difficult to understand at the nuclear physics level and I am being rushed into repeating his study with my own participants. I just don't feel ready or able and I am too scared to shout 'help!' It is looking at an area which I didn't plan on doing but recognise it is important but, oh, I am babbling now....better stop. I don't feel bold enough to say anything to him, I am such a newbie and a mouse at heart too, with not much confidence, having 3 degrees has not helped my confidence one bit

Yes, my PhD was also my idea, my proposal and I am self-funded. I contacted over 10 universities to find someone to take my project on. My supervisor was/is very excited about my project but since September I have seen my project just drift towards his research. I feel like he says, Ok, that is a good idea but look at what I have done, how about changing towards this, not persuading you or anything but really, this is they way this field is going......etc.

I feel like my PhD is being 'shaped' into an extension of my supervisor's research, I am the gopher. Slowly but surely, I feel that it is evolving into their PhD. Whilst I am very interested in their research, naturally, and want to contribute to ongoing excellent research, I feel that anything I mildly suggest that 'I' would like to do, is eventually swept under the carpet. I know they are one of the top gurus in the subject but surely I should be able to have 'some' input? Or, am I deluded?

phdgirlie, whilst I feel sorry for you, I feel better reading your post. I am up to London again tomorrow for another meeting and I am not looking forward to it. If I am ever a supervisor, I will never be like this because I know how it feels to feel absolutely stupid most of the time not to mention just plain discouraged.

I never get anything positive back. If I send in anything, even if it is a comment on something or a question, I can be sure to get something negative or nothing back. The other day, I got
'It's coming on nicely, so keep it going' after sending in 4000 words of my Lit. Review, this was after 5 bullet points on what was wrong. I was actually over the moon, the nearest to a positive so far. I actually sit poised over my send button, psyching myself up for the response I know I will get. I dread meetings, had one last week and another on Thursday, am so nervous that I feel physically sick and wonder why on earth am I doing this But, I love my PhD really and that is what keeps me going.

Thanks!
I have just decided to keep writing but have already written my outline and have a 4 page reading list which I will be attaching as the references will all be coming from there, in any case. I have so many other things to do by Tuesday for this PhD that this is about all I can manage, if I make around 3000-4000 words by then, I will be happy.

I am working on my Literature Review and I have been told to expect to write about 8000-10000. I have a meeting next Tuesday where my supervisor is expecting 'significant progress'. How much is fair, would you say for me to have completed. I have only done 500 words but plan to work flat out until then to complete at least 5000 words.
Thanks, it goes fast once I start but I am finding it really hard to just get stuck in...
Oh, and Happy New Year :)

I completed my MSc, same area and was accepted to do this full-time PhD 3 years, no conditions and started now in Sep. Now I find out I have to do an upgrade after 1 year??? I am going to question it as I already have a paper that says unconditional PhD.
I too am working this around my children and I have always made it clear that they come first and made sure I could work from home before registering. I just feel like he is rushing me along because he is going on research leave in Jan. for 8 months and has sort of forgotten that I have a family to care for. Well, I can only do what I can do, I work hard and will just try and do my best. Just working on a timeplan now, I will take Christmas day off!

Thanks Smilodon. I am looking at those books now. I had already ordered one but have cancelled it now. I like the idea that I can build onto SPSS as that is a familiar ground, at least. I also have to master SPM and fMRI analysis using MATLAB first!

Yes, Smilodon, I also think it is too ambitious but was wondering if it is the norm so didn't want to complain. My MSc was just on the same topic. The literature review will be brand new as I am continuing in the field but with a different slant. I have now been told to meet up on 8/1 with my literature review with a significant amount of my lit. review complete. My Christmas is going to be relaxing...
Oh, and I mustn't forget to get the adverts out for participants and organise my locations for testing and brush up on my E-Prime and learn about SEM and ........