I have just had some disappointing news- the grant proposal I put together with a member of staff has been rejected. I wasn't really expecting to get it but I'm starting to feel like I'll never get a job. I guess if I'm honest my efforts so far have been a bit half arsed- must try harder!

I'm now happy with my abstract and acknowledgements. My next goal is to tackle some formatting issues with my data transcripts (which I've been putting off as it'll be a nightmare).

that's too bad Star-Shaped, sorry to hear that but on the plus side it sounds like your thesis is nearly good to go. How did you find writing the abstract? I haven't done mine yet - have been putting it off, and off, and off...

Sorry to hear that star-shaped, something will come along though, it always does!

I can't believe your writing your abstract and acknowledgements. I have MAJOR structural changes to make to my thesis and we submit at the same time. I actualy hate my supervisor for leaving it so late to tell me all this. I have no idea how it will all be done on time. Worst of all, I hate submitting something that isn't perfect i.e. all formatted, referenced properly and I just won't have time to do all that. She even said "when are you thinking of submitting" to me the other day - ermm, I've already notified the uni (on her request) that I'm submitting in september! I can't believe she's forgotten that. gah! sorry for the rant, but am so peed off and stressed by the whole thing.

Ady- I found writing the abstract OK. I might come back to it though because it's a bit short- 230 words.

Sneaks- you will get there. Your supervisor does sound like a bit of a nightmare though!

I have now sorted out my data extracts. I thought it'd take me ages but it was fine. It is starting to feel like I'm close to the end now, just really proof reading, some arguing with refworks and any other admin such as the contents page to go!

well, I've spent the first 30 mins of the day trying to get my laptop to work - just needed to re-start it but it was all frozen and being rubbish :-s

Goal 1: email student
Goal 2: write definition section

Goal 1 done :-)

Well done Sneaks! I'm impressed!

Sorry to hear about the grant Star-shaped. I hope you'll get something soon ;-)

My goals for the day: proofread a couple of things, do some writing (I'm struggling with this part so even if I write 200 words, that will be good!) and continue writing my analysis (I might just aim for the first section as I'm struggling with this bit too,).

Oh dear, I've just realised that I'm struggling with everything that I'm working on. No wonder I seem to be sitting at my desk all day and it doesn't feel like much is getting done even though I'm using the tomatoes :-(

Sorry about the grant, Star-shaped - hopefully some good job opportunities will appear now anyway.

And good luck today everyone!

My goals for today:
1.) Write up notes from recent reading
2.) Carry on sorting out RefWorks references
3.) Identify priority reading for next few days/weeks
4.) Prepare for supervision session this afternoon

Afternoon everyone. I've had such a busy morning- I took (and passed) my driving theory test, and had to get up at 5.50 to cycle and then get the train to the nearest test center for my 9am appointment (that'll teach me to not be able to drive!). I have also been into uni and have done several bits of admin type stuff.

My first goal today is to try and find out a piece of info which I'm missing and then to proof read and make any changes to at least 2 of my data chapters.

Ooh, congrats on the driivng theory test!

I'm getting lots done today - all crappy admin and nonsense jobs rather than proper research, but it'll all be useful I'm sure.

Thank you! It's about time I learned how to drive- I've been putting it off for the last 3 years. Glad that your day is going well and that you're getting lots done.

I have got half way through proof reading my first data chapter. I'm absolutely exhausted and am finding it hard to focus. No point in proof reading if I am likely to be missing things. I'll leave it for now and will fill out the easy bits of 2 application forms (leaving the 'additional information' sections for when I'm less tired!).

Congrats Star-shaped! I live in the middle of nowhere (not literally, pretty close though) but couldn't live without a car so I have a lot of respect for whose who can.

I hope everyone had/is having a productive day. I still have an hour or so of work to do... but not much motivation. I'm panicking a bit about seeing sups tomorrow as I haven't been feeling confident about the thesis. I'm scared they might say that it's not good enough and I won't have enough time to change everything by the deadline. Breathe! Breathe!!

I guess I'm just used to it Skig! Ny OH is another one who can't live without a car. No exaggeration- I think there are literally about 5 times he has actually walked to places since we moved here 3 years ago and I can remember each time because it's so unusual. He's terrible.

My first goal today was to go to the gym and be back and showered in time before the plumber arrived at 9.30, which is done.

The rest of the day I'm going to be arguing with Refworks, generating my bibliography and chasing up any little bits of info which are missing.

Only just got back from a doctor's appointment, and I have to go to the hospital for a blood test this afternoon (not sinister, the doctor's surgery just has no slots left with the nurse) so I don't have much time to work today. Oh well, can't be helped. I have an hour or so before I have to leave for the hospital, and my supervisors suggested some minor changes to finish off my second year report, so I'm going to make those changes and hopefully send it off before I go.

Hope everyone has a more productive day!

Oh I hope the visit to the hospital isn't too much of a pain.

I have now found all of the missing bits of information. My goal after lunch is to generate my bibliography and make sure everything looks as it should.