You are very welcome :) Yes I am. It is going ok I think! The negative things you hear about doing a PhD are not really linked to 'ability' in my opinion, its more like issues with supervisors and people feeling a bit like they have been chucked in the deep end and other problems.

With a PhD you are expected to work independently, but this varies depending on what supervisor you get from various stories ive read on here, and also in my own and colleagues experience; the amount of assistance you get varies a lot. I have always been told by older students and those who had come out of the other side alive is that the most important quality you need is 'perseverance' which I completely agree with as there are ups, downs, crashes, bends in the journey and moments of panic. My experience has been varied, if you come across another recent post on here by me you will see why I say this lol but during the good times I wouldn't have it any other way as on the whole im enjoying it :)

Anyone? Feeling quite demotivated by all of this, any advice would be appreciated!

Hi there Becky,

In the social sciences, you can apply for an ESRC studentship. I applied for this during my MA (in the same subject as you) for PhD funding. From my knowledge, various departments at each university have a quota of places that are ESRC funded, for mine it was just 1 place. Some departments also offer their own funding, again, a set number of places. Your university webpages may advertise what funding is available for PhD study and in what departments as well as how many funded places they have.

If you are successful in gaining funding, you have your fees paid for you, and also get a stipend for living costs (roughly 14k, but usually more in London).

Obtaining funding is not 'impossible' (living proof typing here!) but it is incredibly competitive (particularly ESRC funding).

I chuckled at the description of your mindset at this time- I know what you mean, but the way I have described it in the past is that your brain gets so overwhelmed it just suddenly says 'nooope!' and treats you to some blissful calm. I am not that far into my PhD but I have a friend that hammered out their thesis in a massive rush in such a short space of time (due to full time work commitments mainly) and recently passed with minor corrections which consisted of typos due to rushing. So, there is hope :)

Hi Tulip

I can empathise with the mood swings and the slightest thing being able to alter ones moods dramatically. This is likely a result of you entering a later stage of your PhD, and you feeling down about progress, as you say you are not close to having a draft of your thesis. I think the first thing to remember is, although you are being mindful of how this is impacting on those around you which is very considerate, you do have the right to feel angry or upset at times and everyone needs someone to have a little rant to from time to time. From what you have written, it sounds as though this has been triggered by you getting closer to the end of your phd.

Even though you are taking good care of yourself from the sounds e.g. eating healthily, and ensuring some 'you time' which is great and does remedy some issues related to stress with may people, this must be frustrating as it has not resolved the way you feel. I get the sense that even though you are having some relaxation time, that your thought about your phd are still 'running in the background' of your mind-some become so accostomed to this that they do not notice but it can still impact on your emotions.

Have you tried meditation? There are guided mediations on YouTube and the like which instruct you how to breath etc. This can be a good way of ensuring everything is 'off' in your mind completely which may help-maybe doing ten mins of this just before your allocated relaxation time? Also, as Caro has said, some universities have support lines you can phone which are just there to listen and not advise which may be a good outlet. Just saying your feelings outloud to another person can help you organise them and process them.


Take care x

I completed my MA thesis some time ago, but my objectives came before the literature review as was part of an introduction chapter e.g. I wrote a bit of background, then outlined the aims of the study before branching into the literature review. After the literature review, that is where the 'plan' is detailed if by this you mean your methods and approach etc?

I agree with many others on here; depending on the field that you are in, having some data collection is not always common until a little later on. Also, I empathise with having a distanced supervisor before they left (I am in the same boat and lack of others in my department are knowledgable about my area). It is really important that you speak to some one at the univesity though for help and support of what to do next, maybe see if someone can help in locating another supervisor. As others have said, maybe a supervisor in another department who may have knowledge of your area could work? This is the main thing that you need to address at the moment. If it takes a while to sort out, focus your energy on reading/writing detailed notes and keeping records of what you are doing- this can do wonders for your motivation when you look back at your progress :) Doing any sort of writing even if it is bits of note making can help keep some momentum as it will all help later on. Fingers crossed for you DeepEnd.

Hi

I am a long time lurker and first time poster. This site has been a blessed source of information for me in the past and I really need to ask for some advice.
I have seen similar threads but I do feel I need some specific advice on my situation.

I have begun my second year of my PhD and I had a busy first year and have done a great deal of writing. At the start of my PhD my sup was fast to respond to queries and I was having monthly meetings. Feedback used to be reasonable; I submitted some writing at the start of the year and received feedback one month later with very detailed comments- the feedback I received was detailed and helpful. The next time I submitted some writing which was for my upgrade report and exam to be taken within the first 12 months, it took months and a lot of chasing up to get any feedback. I was advised to make amendments then re send. I turned this around quickly and sent this. 2 months later, I have not had this back despite me sending reminder emails and asking them face to face. The upgrade exam has not been arranged and I am 2 weeks away of being 12 months into my course. The sup always tells me how busy they are and has multiple roles. I have always been understanding, but after submitting more writing , they gave me a deadline for feedback to be provided which was weeks ago, and I am losing faith very fast about being able to complete on time as I feel as though I am being held back.

My sup is very knowledgable and when I do receive feedback it is very good and we get along well, but I am not sure how to approach them in asking them if they can be faster with feedback; I know I will get told about how busy they are. I don't want to put in a complaint as this causes more trouble in academia.

Zutterfly x