Hi Hiccup

I'll send it to you now

Hi Ash

I don't think I would actually attach something as attachments can make people click off an email. I would sketch the bare bones of your proposal into the body of the email, stating that you have 'x' idea, am thinking of approaching this way and was wondering if this prof. would be interested in talking to you in more detail about it. If you don't know the person you are writing you could give a BRIEF summary of your MSc project and then say how you see your PhD extending this, if at all. If you do know them, it's probably enough to remind him/her (in a line or two) of your MSc topic.

Good luck :-)

Oh but if it was only 10 pds I had gained since starting on this PhD :-(

Link is interesting, sobering and motivating - thanks (writes she standing up ;-))

Hi Cornflower

I volunteered to record audio books for the blind when my masters starting going pear-shaped! I really enjoyed the experience although I wasn't struck on their choice of books. I haven't done it during my PhD as I felt I didn't have the time as it was quite time-intensive. I have recently signed up to become a tutor with an adult literacy service near me. I am really looking forward to it. A Samaritan, would I imagine be very emotionally draining and I don't know whether I would be able for it. I am coming to the end of my write up and it is a good idea to have something which reminds you that there is more to life than this darn PhD!

Good luck with whatever you decide

Many Congrats, enjoy the break and best of luck with the new position :-)

No worries :-)

Yes my journal access seems pretty good. My university wouldn't be classified as a top university but we have over 145,000 electronic journals plus numerous databases. My daughter attends a university in the world's top 60 and I can get her stuff as well ;-) though actually my access seems better than hers - as I like to remind her!!

Hi Dunni

I'll send it to you now :-)

fingers crossed for you :-)

You should ask your librarian - book an appointment with your subject's subject librarian and he or she can take you through the process.

Maybe there are other ways but basically what you are looking for is the 'h' index. Try (if your uni has it, and it should) Web of Knowledge, found under your library's databases. I think it is now known as Thomson Reuters but either should get you there.

If you are just at the beginning, believe that you will over time get to know the key journals in your field. Also don't forget your supervisor, that's part of their job, to advise you, not just provide critique ;-)

I know nothing about MatLab (not even sure I know what it is!) but myself and other colleagues have taken courses and modules at other universities. We are part of a Graduate Education programme and I guess that is one of its plus amidst all the negatives. A colleague of mine has given, and taken computer courses at different universties, in the UK and elsewhere in Europe. It would probably be up to you to find the course and then make a case to your supervisor, or team. This is what we have done if we spotted a course not part of the regular modules available to us. If you are on a funding programme you could argue that the course be paid for you. Otherwise your department might even part-pay for a course. Otherwise you would have to decide if you are willing to pay - paying for modules is usually expensive. A lot depends on the mindset of your supv or team. Graduate Education programmes are pretty common in the States and are being introduced across Europe as well. However I know the supv of a colleague said to her when she pitched the idea of taking a module elsewhere "there's a big building over there called the library"! Not entirely helpful!

Good luck with your search

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Not sure if it is an elaborate test or not but it is a bit of stress you could probably do without. My supv has never pushed me for reports like that but I have a friend whose previous supv did and it became unbearable. Do you think this is the first in what could become a pattern? If so, I would do this one but then ask if this is going to be a regular feature of things. If so, you need to come to some sort of mutually acceptable arrangement. For a seasoned supv, rattling off 4000 words would not take much out of them. For someone in the early stages of their PhD it's more stressful.

I would take the 4000 words as a guide in that having a word count at least tells you the detail she is looking for. She is not looking for a paragraph, nor a full chapter of your thesis. 4000 words gives you an idea of the level to pitch it at.

My advice, do it but see can you find out (after you have done it) if it's going to be a regular occurence, in which case, she needs to give you better warning.

I think they're tabs all right in relation to the internet but are they not windows for the different word docs. Anyhow, knew what you meant!

You have a lot compared to me but I have been told that I have a lot compared to other people I work with. At the moment I have my college email open, then three other internet tabs; this forum and two other email accounts I have. Then I have two words docs open. So in total I have 6 things on the go - is that a lot? I don't know. I would often have pdfs open as well, just not today!!

Huge congrats Corinne on successfully submitting, after what sounds like a stressful few days. Chillax for the moment and enjoy the well deserved time off.

I dream of submitting :-x hopefully in a couple of months