You say you can't write "anymore". I have this problem whenever I take a break (and I hate to be immodest but I am a very good writer). I agree with Star-shaped: just write any old crap. Don't make it crap on purpose, but just start writing in the most easiest and simple way you know how and it will come back to you. My biggest problem is that I'm a perfectionist, and I am quite capable of wasting hours trying in vain to construct one perfect paragraph. The pressure and over-thought makes me write poorly, and I quickly become frustrated and paralysed with my own imagined inadequacy. Just write and don't concern yourself with its quality until you get into the swing of it again. It will work if you relax and just write.

Best of luck (up)

I think you did the right thing. It's often difficult to complain face-to-face - your neighbours might become defensive or 'take it the wrong way'. There's more control in a note. That said, it depends on the type of people your neighbours are - some would ask "well, why didn't you just come and ask us instead of writing a snotty note". I always leave notes on the cars of people who park in my space (it has my house number painted on it and I own the land - boils my blood thinking about it :-s).

I live in a semi. The house is 10 years old and, like all modern houses, it's made from cardboard. Luckily we have the quietest neighbour, but we hear every move he makes. The sound of him going up and down stairs or running a bath can grate on me if it goes on too long, so I understand your frustration. Even if they're not being excessively loud, I think not disrupting you with music late at night is a fair ask.

Hope it improves (gift)

Oh Mercy. I echo Satchi's comment. I have neither experience nor advice, but your story is just horrible and I am sorry to hear it. You seem understandably broken by the whole mess, but I would urge you not to give up on your future (wherever your future might take you). It might seem impossible to believe right now, but I'm sure you can "look forward" something again, even if you do have the enormous and unfair task of starting again from scratch. You could spend the rest of your life buried under the pain and frustration they've caused you, but it won't hurt them one jot.

Take care (gift)

Your attitude infuriates me. I have some good advice for you: assuming you didn't mean to be deliberately insulting, you should work on your communication skills.

P.S. Racism is one way of exhibiting prejudice - have a scan through your own words and see if you can't find some more.

I agree with Claudia. Whilst it's perfectly possible, don't feel bad if it seems a lot - it really depends on what you're reading and how well you're reading it. There are some papers I can whiz through, and others that require more time and thought if I'm reading them properly. Still, if you commit yourself to the 75 pages per day, it'll get easier the more you do it (up).

I received very, VERY little help during my first degree, and I thought that was the point i.e. not being spoon-fed. Now, if the university has failed its obligations/responsibilities then that's a different matter, and as students pay a lot of money, they deserve recourse if the university has let them down (in terms of cancelled classes, substandard resources, abusive lecturers etc). But this seems to me (in the absence of greater detail) that he is blaming the uni for his grade.

27. I worried about my age a lot when I was 24! I had just started my first degree and lived with my parents, and everyone else my age seemed to have made more progress. I'm not worried about my age now though but I think that's because I feel I have some good (grown-up) stuff to show for my 27 years: I opened an isa at 24, bought a house at 25, and got married when I was 26 (whilst both my husband and I were undergrads working part-time). I know not everyone dreams of marriage and a mortgage, but these things are important to me :-). Just need to get some sort of career on track! I probably won't bother with a pension though.

The older I get, the younger 30 seems. My husband is 33 and I consider him young.

P.S. I got ID'd the other day 8-)

You know, I've never understood the whole reading-on-the-loo thing. Reading material would encourage me to stay longer than necessary, and it's hardly the most comfortable seat in the house. No matter how desperate he is, my husband won't actually go to the toilet until he has found whatever book he is reading at the time. Occasionally, I'll read the back of a shampoo bottle if it catches my eye.

Good question - I never turn my laptop off; I always just close it (but not because of any strange fear that it won't wake up :p I think it's just laziness, which is probably worse).

Based on what you've said (past and present) I agree with Wally's "cynical" evaluation of the type of person she is. But, if it is a fair assessment, I'd consider the matter very carefully before attempting to speak to her about it at this late stage. She is clearly capable of being very unreasonable; how is she likely to receive accusations of bullying? Because that's exactly what she is; she's shitty to people who aren't likely to fight back (for good reasons!) because she can get away with it. And even though you wouldn't put it like that if you were to discuss it with her, it would be very difficult to find a tactful way of confronting her about her behaviour with anything approaching honesty. Her apologies demonstrate that she's aware she's at fault, but in no way demonstrate actual remorse - she obviously makes no attempt to address her unreasonable behaviour.

That she's fab 95% of the time isn't that surprising. Having power over people can really bring out the worst in a person; it's just too easy to behave as you please. I had a boss like this once - she was always good to me (largely because I spoke my mind from day one (I didn't care much for the job)) but I witnessed some truly appalling behaviour towards younger and/or quieter members of staff.

It is indeed a tough situation, and I feel for you. As staying with her will be good for your career, the only questions are: can you handle it and, if you can, is it worth it?

I've always been warned about self-plagiarism, and given strict instructions never to do it. Maybe check with your sup to be sure, or reword it to be on the safe side.

I love footnotes when reading articles etc and always read them (hence I find them preferable to endnotes which require flipping back and forth). I think your question has already been adequately answered, but I would like to echo that they're very useful for lots of additional, helpful-but-not-essential bits of information (i.e. elaborating on an assumption/distinction etc you've made for readers who may require extra justification/clarification, illustrative examples which might be deemed superfluous to some readers but useful to others, or referring the reader to other research that you haven't necessarily drawn on but could be of interest if delving deeper into a particular minor point made).

It's just a matter of asking yourself whether the information you're providing in your footnote is necessary. If it is, it doesn't belong there; it belongs in the main body. If it's neither necessary, helpful nor interesting then it probably doesn't belong in your work at all (but I'm guessing you already know that :-) )

It seems perfectly reasonable to me. In fact, having the opportunity to consult an expert in the area and failing to do so, would (IMO) demonstrate a lack of initiative. I would suggest it first though - simply because there's no reason why you shouldn't, and if he is a little delicate about such things (though I can't think of a valid reason for it) you want to avoid appearing as though you're 'going behind his back' so to speak. Don't make a big deal about it though (i.e. don't be apologetic); try not to make it appear like an unreasonable suggestion with attempts to cushion it.

You must be so relieved! I'm pleased for you :-)