Hi there

I've done an MA and also another Masters and received distinctions in both, and have also taught Masters students, so might be able to help you a bit. I think there's a few elements to doing well. There's intelligence - some people are just naturally smarter than others and won't need to do as much work. I'm no genius, and so have had to make up for this by working really hard - what I lack in genius I make up for in hard work. So, depending on how gifted you are, you will need to put in the hours. Have at least a day off a week tho, otherwise you'll burn out and go crazy.

You also need to read widely. In student's essays I was marking, most of them did a bare minimum of reading, and it showed in their essays - analyses not all that developed, a lot of regurgitation. I think the other thing that helps to get distinctions is originality. You need to go a step beyond the basic arguments, and develop a line of thinking that questions the material and pushes the boundaries a bit. This can be difficult, and if you go on the wrong track it can end badly - you could always discuss your essay/research ideas with an academic to make sure you're on the right track.

Your course outlines should also explain how things are graded, and detail the requirements of a distinction. Ask your lecturers too.

Hope this helps!

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Ah, not as excitng as I'd hoped! Walminski, you need to say all 'British' Female etc etc - some of us can't apply for this, altho would love to visit !

Yes, I'm here too, altho have to go and spend the morning in the library for RA work. Would rather finish a conference paper - so close, but the last bits are taking so long! But had a good day yesterday, was actually a bit inspired and threw out some of concepts of my sup's which I don't think work - so, am being brave too!

Days are getting longer here - aahhh!! Which also means it's going to get stinking hot where I am, which I hate. But we're having gorgeous spring days at the moment.

Good luck with your nocturnal studies everyone.

Hi ShinyPilot

Yes, sorry to hear you're feeling so bad - it will get better! Taking on a PhD is a huge thing, and overwhelming, and if you're feeling alone, that just makes it worse. There's lots of people here who don't have partners, and as others have mentioned, people can still be lonely when they do have a partner. I have a partner, but essentially all my friends have deserted me since I've started writing up!! It's like I've fallen off the edge of the planet - not a word from them in months! But that's OK.

But we're not talking about me. I think Slizor's right, age isn't such a big thing when you're doing a PhD - altho I'm one of those older students. But we all get on OK, and the youngsters and the oldies still go out and have coffee etc etc - we're all going thru the same thing, so we have stuff in common. There's also a lot of international students where I am, and they all tend to stick together, which is understandable. But yeh, join some uni societies, go to seminars, and joing in other activities outside uni. You'll make friends, adn get into the swing of studying. It sounds like it's all a bit of a shock at the moment. Keep going.

And a poster here has an online blog which is really helpful, so have a look at this too: http://www.phddepression.com/

Look after yourself!

I think you should also throw in a sentence about being tenacious, determined, have ability to work hard etc, that sort of thing. It could help to let the committee know that you know you're in for the long haul, that it's going to be hard, but that you can overcome obstacles in this long process.

PinkNeuron, you've got 8 months to go, and for a bunch of us, we're down to 6 MONTHS!!!! AARGGHHH!!!

OK, that's better! How're we all travelling? My 6 months is really now only 5 1/2 months, as I'm hoping to go to a conference in mid March. Awful timing, but a trip to NY would be a lovely finishing present to myself! Would rather a nice UK conference, but oh well...

I'm writing my 6th chapter, got 5 more after this. 2 of these just need updating, one is a little methodology chapter, the conclusion will also be small, and the findings chapter will be meaty. So, I reckon that's doable. Insane, but doable.

Look after yourselves everyone. Eat well, exercise, and spend time with loved ones and pets!

I'll talk to her about it, but at the moment it's kind of fallen down the list a little. The deadline's been extended, so am doing a bunch of other work. And it doesn't seem so important now, when have been faced with other major difficulties!

Hi, sorry to bore everyone silly with yet another post about publishing, but am learning a lot (the hard way!) at the moment. I've had an article accepted, editor wants another rewrite, which I'm considering doing or not doing. My sup has told me I don't have to do the rewrite and could send it to another journal if I want. So, seems this is OK to do. Feel free to go elsewhere!

Thanks for your support everyone - hugely appreciated. I'd be lost without you guys!!

Well, had a meeting with my sup, and she rightly pointed out that my article had already been accepted and I'd been told by an associate editor that I'd be getting the proofs, and to make only minimal changes. Instead I got this bucketing from the editor - in effect he's gone over the ass. ed.'s head, and she thinks there's some politics there. She also pointed out he's the new ed of this journal, so she thinks he's asserting himself and I'm just the poor hapless target. So - lessons for us all 'eh??

And we've also decided that I don't have to write up one of my case study chapters, and I'm also going to cut back on RA work. Better!

Part of the reason why I had such a hideous meltdown, not just with overwork, was also because if I submit any later than Mar '10, I'm not likely to graduate until June '11 - these things take ages in Australia. And that's just too damn far off!!

So, am over the meltdown and almost ready to start working again.

Thanks again everyone, especially Alpacalover. Hope you all have a productive day. What a life we choose to lead....

Yes, well done Lara!! Well deserved and absolutely well done!!(up) You're an inspiration! Now, go and have a party, then have a holiday, then party some more! And when you can and you've had time to reflect, maybe post some tips for the rest of us who are struggling?

Hi Rick

Well, I've been completely burned my writing journal articles and am now bitter and twisted...but in my experience, reviewers do expect that the changes will be made, unless you have a really strong argument for why you shouldn't. Can you do a minimum of reviewer 2's changes? Include some more quotes as they've suggested, lose some of yours and yes, this will mean restructuring and rewriting (aarggh!).

Sometimes I think they just like doing this because they can...

Thanks Rick, and everyone, for your advice.

Things have kind of been overtaken really - am still working on the conference paper, but am also writing a journal article. This caused me great anguish, with major rewrites and my sup wanting many corrections. The reviewers also made me rewrite it. Anyway, I sent it off, it got accepted (hurrah!) and now the editor has come back to me and I have to rewrite it again!!!:-( The two reviewers were happy but I have to do another %$#@@!! rewrite!! The editor obviously thinks my writing is crap!!

I just don't think I'm smart enough for academia.

Now I've got a conference paper to write in 10 days; an article rewrite due in just under 2 weeks, and another 6 chapters of my thesis to write by Xmas.

Aagghhrrr! Having a meltdown!

Hi Ruby, welcome aboard! Sounds like you're busy too. Yes, time just creeps up on us - now only 6 months away from March, when Bilbo, Alpacalover and I are all intending to submit - yikes!! Study hard then have a good sleep. Me, I think I need to go and refuel and say hello to my sweet dog.