Get a life - you talk of killing yourself because you haven't got PhD funding - lot's of people don't get it - some are lucky - some work hard. If you have'nt got it then get a job and try later and don't put messages like this on the board as it is disturbing

All over the world small children are dying due to lack of food and basic health care. Old people die because they can't afford heating. People are tortured and killed because they don't agree with a political view - and you talk about killing yourself because of PhD funding - grow up - get a life and live in the real world!!!!!!!!!

Sweetchick - getting a PhD by publication is not "free and painless" - it is not an easy way to get a phd. A phd by publication is normally given when an experienced lecturer/researcher had done a lot of work/publication but may have become employed by the uni before the need for a phd was essential (as it seems to be now). It is not an easy option to a phd but is more difficult and takes years of research and publication....you need to look in to this more if this is your option

Firstly, would the regulators of this forum please stop allowing people with negative and nasty repliews to people with genuine problems, and kindly remove some of the comments below. In reply to your problem, all I can say is don't despair. Talk to your GP about this and talk to good friends you trust. This is my only advice to you. If you don't want to talk to your friends then at least talk to a doctor. If you're still stuck, then post another thread on the forum.

But is this a genuine problem, or is it just melodrama? I`m sure that if I was seriously going to kill myself I wouldnt write about it first on an Internet forum! It`s just a bit alarming

camper: it might take ages, but it is possible. that's the point here & you don't have to be a lecturer to get one. all it depends on is how good you are- not how long you've been doing what you've been doing. meanwhile, a little maturity in ur answers to people with serious problems costs nothing.

I think you will find it very very difficult (even impossible) to get a Phd by publication unless you are attached to a university in some way.

As for my response to terik I do not think he has any intention of killing himself - his over dramatic title does not fit with the content of his message. People on this site are- i am sure- here to help but using tactics like that is a breach of trust and disturbing to some people. There are a lot of people looking for PhD but they do not play on peoples emotions like that.

The point Camper is making is that a PhD by publication is not an easy option, not that it is not possible. Publishing is not 'free' since you have to have funded your research somehow, and if you have found a painless way to publish, sweetchic, please let the rest of us share it!
Options like doing a self-funded P/T PhD, or finding a research job that lets you register for a P/T PhD are likely to be more successful options than going for PhD by publication.

PhDs by publication are generally only awarded to people who have a close association with the awarding university (usually an employee or long term industrial/professional collaborator). It is possible, but we would not recommend that route.

mmhm, that was my opinion. everyone has their own approach to life.

Yeah, PhD life kinda sucks. Wait a bit, chill out, get a job, travel, then do a PhD. You'll die anyway.

I guess the relevant question here is, what do you mean by wanting to "kill yourself". Do you actually want to commit suicide? Or is it an expression of your frustration and feelings of disheartenment and disenchantment?

Call me a softy but I think some of you people are being extremely harsh on this guy! So you disagree with the way he has phrased his distress. Fine, state that but some of you really do seem to have gone over the top.

I have only been looking at this forum for a short time but I would certainly be wary now of posting a concern where instead of giving a constructive reply I am shouted at and slagged off, possibly because the one doing the replying has mis-interpreted.

I can hold my own but don't you think that if someone is already genuinely distressed that you are, not only doing nothing to help but actually deepening their distress.

I'm quite suprised by this.

Terik,

I know what you mean about having difficulty getting onto a funded project. I have a first class honours, a distinction in my masters (funded by competitive scholarship) and have worked in a decent job in industry for a couple of years.

I am finding it very difficult, cos I'm geographiaclly restricted. I've a family and a mortgage but secondly because so many lecturers advertise projects through uni sites etc but don't seem to bother replying to queries. Perhaps it is cos it's been the time of year.

Funny and I thought that my biggest problem was getting through an interview when pregnant. It seems that getting to the interview, despite my qualifications and kick ass CV, is even more difficult.

Don't give up though. As far as I can see you face a hell of a lot of set backs in research and in PhD studies. If you are not determined enough to put up a fight to get there then perhaps PhD study isn't best for you anyway??