So would someone saying first thing this rmoning "How lovely to see your smiling face again" be flirting or just friendly? Especially as I have been ill and look DREADFUL!

Hi Marilena.

You might be better asking this question on a teaching internet forum - www.tes.co.uk is probably the best one

I am the world's worst person at picking up on flirting or hints when someone likes me. Often this causes problems, especially if I like someone else, as I tend to be direct and just come out with it whereas they may be being subtle about it. I just can't tell if they don't tell me directly.

Soooooo how do you tell if someone is being flirty :-x or just friendly :-) ?

There is a specific reason I ask... ,-)

I agree with Batfink - if it means it will be good for the "greater cause" then express regret at offence.

But never EVER apologising for being yourself. If people don't like it, tough.

*DanB, many loyal friends, many bitter enemies*

Hey Mark,

I am all in favour of the minimalist approach. Your slides should be guides to talk around, not to read from. Nothing worse than listening to someone just read off the slide. Put up enough key information that people can digest quickly, then explain it.

Usually someone will "chair" the session - someone to make sure everyone keeps within time limits, introduces the speakers etc. Turn up 5-10 minutes beforehand to get your presentation loaded onto the computer and introduce yourself to the chair. Most conferences will have "technical" people who can assist if anything goes wrong (was my job once at a conference, most fun, not!)

Who was Dispatcher? A resident troll?

Quantity doesn't always translate into quality.

Sounds a lot to me but then it depends if you feel you are doing too much - some people get a kick out of doing lots of work. If it works for you, don't worry about it. If you feel like you shouldn't work so much, then don't.

Also, do you feel that having a fixed schedule is a good thing? SOme people do, some people don't - I didn't at all, I work 8-4 nowadays and find it very restrictive in terms of output. I prefer to work when I have inspiration, as I used to with my PhD.

It's fine, salvo. I didn't start my first job until after degree, masters and phd when I was 27. It's nothing to worry about.

Sounds quite an adventure of sorts. Hopefully you look will back on it with a wry smile in years to come.

Oooo dying to know where you went, the most glamorous location I went to was Edinburgh (thanks to two major conferences I wanted to attend both being held at my own university grrrr....)

It's quite common for people to come back to do masters (and even PhDs) later on in life. In fact I used to live with a guy who was studying at Cranfield for a masters and was 30.

I certainly agree about being openminded and taking ownership of the ideas - the student should be the one to direct the ideas with prompts from the supervisor, not the other way round.

I have to agree with you, they are always so generic and obvious. The best advice is usually gleaned from those in the thick of it - I always found the advice of my fellow PhD students on here very useful as would pick up on sometimes less obvious things.

I had one supervisor who had my mobile number and vice versa, only because of a work evening we went out on (I didn't know anybody else going as it was in a different department). I think he text me a few times about work.

Natassia, don't be so hard on yourself! Writing a proposal is far from straightforward - it sounds as if she's given you pointers how to refine it, so go with those. It may take a few refinements until it's just right, nobody would expect it to be perfect straight off!