======= Date Modified 04 Oct 2010 17:57:44 =======
I don't know what you should do - all three are reasonable suggestions- just depends on your personality. Personally, I'd send a text. A call would be too horrendous, and, as you don't know exactly who it was, it seems unnecessary to me. I'd probably send the text out of both courtesy and curiosity, but doing nothing would probably work out too.

Doesn't sound all that embarrassing though. I mean, boasting about your PhD and reciting pi to 100 places doesn't really make you cool, but it's not bad for a drunken tale, so don't feel too bad :-)

My friend's father (who is much older and less healthy than you) very recently had a biopsy on a growth in his throat. The family was worried sick for a couple of weeks. Turned out to be nothing. I don't know the details of what the growth was, but the doctors are happy that it is not a problem. Telling you not to worry about it won't work, but just try to keep this story in mind.

It may not seem like the right time, but your health is the most important thing, so allow yourself some time off to relax - it's a good enough reason to warrant it.

Best of luck- I hope your results are nothing to worry about (up)

I agree with Jepson- especially the turning monitors off and glaring bit. And asking difficult questions will definitely make students more forth-coming with their own. They'll 'be nice' and ask questions in the hope that others will return the favour (up)

Is there no way you can make the presentations count? As an undergrad, I had a class in which everyone had to do a presentation or else we would lose 5%.

Great news! Congratulations :-)(up)

I'd put them in. They are valid, highly relevant and you have the opportunity to include them. I see your predicament and don't envy it one bit, but ultimately, although your work might *seem* better without them, it will, of course, be weaker if you exclude relevant studies. To consciously make your thesis less thorough than it could and should be, does not seem wise to me - even though I could understand your reasons for doing so. In fact, given that your examiners will likely know about the studies in question, their absence might detract considerably from the flow of your argument. Can't you find differences in the other studies and focus on them- preferably their flaws and ways in which your study is better? Otherwise, to sum up your post quite brutally (sorry), you're actually saying "my thesis doesn't advance my field".

Best of luck Bakuvia! :-)(up)

Wow that is discouraging. I mean, he's right- funding is extraordinarily difficult to obtain, but if you can't do it without funding, you might want to apply to a uni with its own funding possibilities to increase your chances of funding, and a more positive and encouraging potential supervisor.

Hi William
I would advise you to continue to search for some proposal guidance (though, sorry, I don't know a good website). If you are submitting a research proposal, you shouldn't struggle to demonstrate that you've done relevant reading. I'm not suggesting writing a strong proposal is easy at all, but you need to know a thing or two about your field as it currently stands to explain the need and importance of your research and how it will contribute. You cannot possibly show that you have an idea that will advance your field without talking about your field (i.e. demonstrating relevant reading); if you're doing it right, you'll find it is unavoidable.
If you feel that you have a good idea, then do all the research you can on how to construct a strong research proposal. There's no point having a great idea if you can't express it.

Best of luck :-)

Given that the poster clearly didn't understand that it was a joke, why would s/he not criticise it publicly, warning visitors to the site in the process? If I genuinely thought an advertiser was selling a poor service, I would.

Congratulations! I'm really pleased for you :-). Enjoy your celebrations!

Congratulations Sim! :-)