I am a year and a half in and have collected a wide range of primary sources , more than I could have dreamed of. But because I am only now refining my research questions, and thesis argument, I am trying to find a way to slot these sources into a framework. I know I can do something different from the secondary lit. but it is finding 'hinge points' in the chronology which is a problem

How did any other humanities students develop their thesis argument?

Shhh, Olivia - don't question the system too loudly

I'm trying to price up the cost of losing my sanity...

In my own personal situation, I find the isolation intellectual rather than social. I mean, all the sources I have seen, and the ideas I am developing - they are diffent from others - so even though I have phd friends in same/similar disciplines, there is some isolation still. Socially though, I couldn't function without regular contact with my friends and boyfriend. Sure, I'm not a party animal, but two nights of socialisation keeps me happy.

I've had to get a lot better at chatting to people at conferences and being social. I think academia is, utlimately, a social profession. People need to like your ideas, but they also need to find you amiable. Abrasive people at conferences normally have a wide berth around them!

Yes, I thought it was the neighbours a) 'getting down' or b) knocking on the wall to shut my music up, loudly!!

The whole wall shook.

I've got to get that British Library Microfilm somehow

Sorry, should be spelt: Mats Christéen

I would be working at the Naturhistoriska riksmuseet in Stockholm, and be married to either popstar Martin Rolinski, or hockey player Mats Christeen. My research on the cultural history of the Swedish elk (älg) would take me far into the frozen north.

Aren't most PhD students good at validating others, but not themselves!

I would have thought you should push on, at least you have two people to work with?

True, sometimes when I walk the streets at night, it is so nice. So quiet.

I'm finding work tonight very restful and pleasant...my new friend googlebooks doing the leg work, me doing the interpretation, and a nice cup of tea...sigh...

Late evening is always a better time to work for me than the day

*night owl*

Either way, I avoid 'full fat' coke at all costs!

I'm more of a Pepsi Max kind of guy, or maybe Coke Zero...

As an undergraduate I had almost finished an essay (night before)and at about 2am my computer (a second hand laptop) crashed. It had to be totally reformated. So about 3am I started again...

I handed it in on time and got a decent grade, but it would never work that way with PhD work.