I'd just like to ask anyone with problems in this area, what reaction did you get from your department/supervisors? I am on the verge of giving up my PhD having felt like the 'bad guy' for most of last year following first of all a serious injury then the stress of having to catch up led to bad anxiety and depression. Have just been told my funding is suspended. I cannot afford to do 3 months without money, of course, and feel like s***t, plus am still not over the injury. Am really, really at a loss..........confidence also suspended.........

And if ETHOS have not digitised it they will try and track it down

Natassia I hope this thread has given you the confidence to do what you know you want to do. Thanks for the kind words re injury. As a former horsey- person I know only too well what happens! Mine was not through anything exciting though, just bad luck.
Best of luck with it all
Buzz

Hi there,

If your lead supervisor approves, must be OK, no? You might be surprised and find that indeed you have been worrying without reason. I don't have direct experience of this exactly, but I have a lot of sympathy having been delayed this year (my first PhD year) by a broken arm (still not mended properly). Your potential publication has to be a plus point as well.

Could I ask you how your injury was regarded by your department? I had no let up at all until a major meeting attended by the disability office seemed to help, but since then nothing has changed. Perhaps we can swap advice?

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Am in first year, have had to survive with broken arm, and am totally fed up that the accent seems just on how many words you can churn out not on the research process itself. Am just churning out a first chapter (has to be submitted next month) and just feeling that it is rubbish. I'm not ready to write, but the department has all set all these deadlines. Yes I appreciate I have to get through the M Phil upgrade but it is sooo depressing. Really feel like giving up but I'm funded and can't afford to pay it back.

Got to source something to record a round table discussion and then later a few one-to ones with maybe some background noise. All insights welcome - have to have it to use this weekend.
Thanks

Got recommended and I few guys I know are wowing this stuff, as more transportable than Endnote (and free? ) but interested to know if anyone has used it. Looks good but I am not a techo so am clueless as to anything else other than does it work?

http://www.mendeley.com/import/

Oh dear, I do know how you feel. I have to give an internal presentation this coming week and am already sick to my stomach at the thought of it. And I have a background in 'good presentations' from a previous career, so why? Just feel like an insect stuck on a pin. Sorry can't give any helpful comments, just sympathy. Can hardly bear to work on the pres due to feeling so discouraged....oh dear....

IMHO if you really want to look back at acknowledgements without cringeing in years to come the best policy is to keep it businesslike...doing a 'Gwyneth Paltrow' could be vomit-inducing!

Well at least you're still liking it! I'm nine months in and wondering what the hell I'm doing here! I think one of the problems if you'd had a previous existence (I worked for a long time in a high powered job before coming back to academia) is exactly that you do 'keep up a front' - you have to and you just get on with the job - but academia can be a pretty lonely existence. I don't really like talking to that many colleagues as I have found in the past I ended up as the 'oracle' due to life experience so it's energy-sapping. If any has an answer count me as on the list to hear it!

Congrats! Am about to submit my first abstract and am v nervous about it, but hey ho...you never know!
Good luck, believe in yourself with the prep. Nice location or merely prestigious?

This is a real help guys! I started as well last October and am starting to get into writing. I think once I get into a pattern it will get easier but the thought of it has been so off-putting! Breaking it down is the way to go.
I did some research on Ethos and bought in a couple of theses in my subject area. I could do this out of my studentship extras budget and it was also reassurance that no one had done something quite like mine (history).
Have found motivation this year really hard going and have been infused with doubts. Also a lot of pressure.....

Hi Doll,

Yep, another newbie here! Just started. Good luck with it all.

Buzzy(up)

Good luck to all those still waiting, but the news must have gone out to unis as I was informed of success in obtaining faculty funding as someone higher up the list has just got ESRC funding, so I'm a very happy bunny!;-)