Same here!
(surname, date)
I tend to use the style from Social Science and Medicine (journal), which is also an option for automatic referencing with the referencing software I use (Refman)

Fluffy, you have done SO SO well, most of us could never finish given the other work you had to do. Like you say, tenacity, but also you're a bit of a clever monster too!

Good thread

Things that make me happy about my PhD (really going to refrain from putting a BUT at the end of each ):

I've got good supervisors
I can work the hours I want and, more importantly, still dress like a scruffy alley cat
I can surf t'interweb or chat on forums without feeling *too* guilty
When things are good it feels rather self indulgent--I'm writing about things that interest me and I've got a few years to do it
I got to stay in the place I lived already and wanted to stay in

Hi explorer,
Each conference is different but as someone else has said you usually have allotted times. I do think 7 x 1hr slots is a lot though?! I've been to plenty of conferences where people put their posters up and then don't bother standing by them at all (also when you take a poster for someone else). So I wouldn't get too worried about being by your poster each break.

One good thing to do is print out copies of your poster on A4 bits of paper, pop them in a clear plastic wallet and pin it to the board by your poster. That way if you're not about people can take a copy of your poster and they'll also get your contact details if they want to discuss with you.

Oh, and it's nice to smile at people looking at your poster, but I wouldn't start telling them about your work unless they express an interest

That's funny--I just kind of suggested the same thing on my post without reading yours first! Sterling idea.

I know this is bad, but I feel slightly better (relieved?) that I'm not the only one.

Rah--would love coffee, maybe one day we can co-ordinate an online coffee break and all talk nonsense for a bit (not a particular challenge for me!), although I guess that's what the other forum is for.

Cheers guys, am feeling the love

Thanks guys. I'll def check out the other forum, Insomniac. I'm the queen of procrastination though, so will have to try and behave...

I understand exactly what you mean, Sue. I think I'd be quite happy if I was completely on my own, it's that I hear everyone else and I just don't like feeling so out of it!

Aw thanks for the replies guys I really do appreciate it.

Most of the PhD friendships are built on socialising outside work, but I find it hard enough to see friends and do all that I want outside of uni as it is...I think I'd just like to be able to have that passing small talk that makes the day a bit better, if you know what I mean?

I have been here nearly two years btw! It has just become more of a problem as the PhD students have been moved from the department for 18mths whilst building work goes on, so we are not in proximity to anyone else in our dept. at the moment. Bringing in biscuits is a great idea though! Any excuse

Thanks esp for the hug 404! Think it’s just tea and sympathy I need

cont...

The other students all live in close proximity (I'm an hour drive away) and are close friends, I just feel a bit on the periphery, which I understand and I don't take it personally--I don't think I’ll ever be good friends with the majority of them, I'd just like to actually have someone to chat to! God I feel like such a sad case!!
Not sure what advice anyone can give, maybe I just need to share :)

Hi all,

I'm sorry if this appears like another negative thread, because I'm very lucky; I have great supervisors and am generally getting on OK with my PhD (after a rough few months over xmas!), so I know other people have far worse issues...

Basically, I'm a bit lonely! There are roughly 12 students here, all sharing offices but I'm on my own (my office mate has quit their PhD so just in occasionally writing up for MPhil, no room for me in another office). I'm not socially inept--I do go and chat but obviously if you're sharing an office it's different. I came in this morning feeling really happy and chatty, I even printed something I didn't need to just so I could go into someone else’s office :shame: but everyone was busy. I often ask people if they'd like to have lunch together in the common room etc.

I don't see why not, lots of concepts span disciplines/research areas, as long as you're explicit about it?