Hi Tudor!

Exactly, it is much easier to work without people coming in and out all day.

Mid slump I had worked from home (at least that's what I kept telling myself), I am not an unmotivated person as such but at times I can be the most awful procrastinator and I do mean AWFUL, so I think getting back to the office and the change of scenery is what I needed.

Good Morning!

I was wanting to share this morning - I have had a few weeks of feeling horrendously lethargic and very VERY unmotivated (we have almost all of us been there!) an yesterday and today I forced myself out of the slump!

So yesterday and today I have been behind the desk at Uni by 7 am, gotta say there is something rewarding about seeing the sun come up with my cup of coffee in hand in the office!

So guys...spill. What are your tricks for getting out the slump and out of curiosity what is the earliest anyone has arrived to work THROUGH CHOICE.

Happy coffee drinking everyone *hugs*

Cha

Hi Tree,

Good luck with the manuscript! I will make you a cuppa! Its bucketing with rain here today so I am not missing much but I am so demotivated just now its unreal - procrastination at its finest but I am determined to break that cycle today

Bevcha

Hi all!

Anyone joining me in working in the office this weekend - I think an unhealthy amount of coffee and biscuits is going to be required :O

Bevcha

Hi RidingHood,

When I read your message it struck a chord with me and I had to reply. Whilst not an exactly similar situation I lost my father halfway through my PhD when he was killed in an accident where he worked and I was incredibly close to him (SUCH a Daddy's girl!!) and when I finally submitted I felt the same - there was no elation really for me but a sense of loss because he didn't get to see me do it. Maybe you feel that way too as I am sure you would have loved to share that with your sister and I am terribly sorry for your loss!

All I can say is that time does heal slowly but surely it heals. Your sister would be so very very proud of you and she would want you to be proud of yourself because to carry on when so many would have given up is very brave and shows great personal spirit. That spirit will see you through anything I can assure you of that.

As for post-doc, that's what I went on to do, well that one is up to you - you need to search deep deep down and ask yourself what you want to do and what you want to be. The answer will come I promise. But whatever happens take courage in yourself.

take care and my best wishes
Bevcha

castello blue

Hi there,

It seems like you are having a few problems there. I think that Jeckyll raises a good point. Look, you are a PhD student and you do get money to do your research.

Trust me when I say that in 100% of cases maintaining a good relationship with your supervisor throughout your PhD can make the whole thing so much easier because if you have a good working relationship with them then they are MUCH more likely to look on you favourably if things start to go awry for any reason (and believe me they can and often do go awry)

If your supervisor wants you there 9-5 then I really think you should be there - it is more than reasonable to be honest with you. I am not saying this to make you feel bad because you have come on here looking for support and advice and this is the best advice I can give you.

So chin up and start nice and fresh on Monday - put what is behind you firmly behind you and begin with a new outlook.

There is a lot of truth in the phrase

'When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change'

All the very best!
Bevcha

Hi Guys!

What a bunch of workers we are! I am in my office again - although I did treat myself to a look around the shops this morning I am now in my office with coffee biscuits and lots of papers!!

Keep going everyone :)

B
xx

Hi Aisling!

Don't worry you are not alone - I am writing papers! Also got plenty of coffee on the go!

:D
B
xx

Hi again,

Like Ian says your decision BUT are you CERTAIN that there is no way to change supervisor? I cannot stress enough how much I think you should.
As has been said my Ian 2-3 years is a long time and even if temptation is resisted there is also the potential for resentment and I notice you have posted another thread saying that you feel lonely and rather down? My worry is that if you don't change supervisor then you could end up losing your research and doctorate over some guy who sounds like a egotist who is having a midlife crisis and frankly should know better!! Nobody like that is worth giving up on something you love?
Guy sounds like a total idiot!!

Cha
xx

Hi there,

Whilst it is of course your decision what you do please bear in mind that like Ian has stated these things really do not generally end well.

A similar post a few months ago appeared and the advice was along the lines of what is being said here.

I think its very important that you give consideration to the fact that the academic community of any field is generally a small one and unflattering reputations can be extremely damaging! If you are even THOUGHT of as having an overly familiar relationship with a supervisor (whether it is true or not) you will lose the respect of people around you. People will also start to undervalue your work as they will think that any success you have is due to favouritism by your supervisor, I am not saying this to demonise you in any way - I am saying this merely because I have seen it before and like Ian say it just doesn't end well.

Overall I think you may need to change supervisor - you need to speak to someone in your department to arrange this (you won't be the first student to do this!). This guy is married and doesn't sound like he has a great deal of respect for his wife - the mother of his children - so really why would he treat you better?

Please remove yourself from the situation and keep your self respect and dignity. I wish you the best.

Cha

oooh barramack you lucky thing! Where abouts are you if you dont mind my asking?

And chickpea aint that the truth - even with my best knife the chopping of a swede is a workout in itself! :D
and to all in this thread - try the brownie in a mug. You will need to go to the gym afterwards but worry about that later - its worth every delicious drop!

Its another shawl at work today - keep the drafts off!

warms hugs and I have made a cuppa for everyone! (hands tea around)

B
xx

Keyboardplodder that is a great idea!

Nothing wrong with a bit of Primani to keep the cold off. We actually do have one here in Portugal in my town but like primark everywhere you have to go at 9am to avoid being crushed to death! :D

Its a hearty soup at my desk today for lunch and I also have Jaffa cakes - not healthy but today I dont care!

hugs guys

B

Hi

I have to agree with Tree here. Look this is not right and will only end badly. No good can come of this.

It seems like this guy has trouble setting personal boundaries and for anyone in any job in a supervisory position in a very poor trait indeed.

I am all for nice working relationships between manager and employee student and supervisor etc but these relationships MUST be platonic.

Also there is another thing to think about and we all know it exists - do you want to be known as the person who had the relationship/fling with the supervisor? Can be a bad reputation to have.

Do the right thing - you know what that is - I wish you the very best and I am sorry if my words sound hard.

Best wishes
B

Hi Everyone,

I have resisted but tonight I WILL be going for the brownie in a mug! It just looks too good to be true!

Wrapped in a shawl at work today and plenty of hot drinks to keep me going this friday.

Any more tips hints and ideas?

warm hugs
B