Undergrads get down over their studies just the same as PhD students feel down from time to time. I come into uni sometimes and barely do any work, and sometimes I don't even come in. When I was an undergrad, I didn't feel that enjoyed the course 100% of the time, and so missed lectures, got drunk and missed even more lectures.

Thats just the way it is. Some students start uni and just stream straight through the degree without any problems, and some don't. Thats life, but DanB is right, it is up to the student to find their motivation and sort themselves out.

so very gay DanB

well done Zara, you have managed to distract a record number of people away from their PhD today!!!

I will donate nothing. Beer is too precious to give up the beer credits

well said amanda, I agree with you there

size 6? wouldn't that make you unattractively thin??

So I think as a concluding point-

Zara, No people aren't 'scared' of your PhD, they just don't like your attitude

Some people go to uni, whereas others chose careers where uni isn't necessary. I'm sure these people intended something better than a factory job, but it may not have worked out for them, just like an undergrad wanting a PhD but never being able to get one. So, some people go to uni, some don't, that doesn't mean that those that go to uni are better (as is implied in a worryingly high number of posts on this thread).

And Zara, you need to change that stuck-up attitude of yours

wow, a laptop with a memory stick!! you must feel really happy with that!!!

Ok, so they weren't happy, fair enough. But that wasn't the only point I made.

Thats a very general comment Zara. If they are unhappy with their jobs, then its up to them to change it, not for you to pity them!

I'm sure that not everyone that works in a factory hates it, I mean they get to speed around on fork lifts and play with cool machines.

I agree golfpro, you people that look down on your friends are just stuck up. Doing a PhD isn't exactly great is it? You may finish and yeah you will be called 'Dr', but so what!!! your friends may earn more than you, have a less stressful job, and haven't racked up years of debt.

When you look at it like that, they look cleverer than any of us.

I just hope you don't all think you warrant some higher place in society just because you have a collection of degrees. I certainly don't, I look at my friends back at home and don't think they are stuck in a rut at all, I admire them, some worked hard to become mechanics, electricians and some work in pubs or factories. They are doing what they are happy with or what they wanted to do since we were all at scholl together, and since money isn't everything, they cannot be faulted for this.

So, don't be so stuck up (thats aimed mostly at Zara). A PhD is a step up to a job you want, not a social step-up, because at the end of the day, that is all it is!

lol, I was only joking, and i can only hope you are only joking with that long list!

well put what2donext, I agree with you completely.

girls are scared of everything

not me, but it may worry EE's supervisor!!! since she is a girl