I am doing my PhD in history. I'm not funded, and have been pt paying my own fees. It's been hard to study because I'm working full time to pay my fees and rent, etc. I haven't had more than 2 free days to do anything since the May bank holiday.

I seem to be the only pt student in my department. My supervisors aren't sympathetic. I have had some teaching work but one warned me off more because I shouldn't "prostitute myself." The other suggested paying someone to do my interview transcriptions for me - which would cost a couple of grand! They tell me to go to conferences on weekdays and I don't have enough holidays.

I applied for a uni scholarship but I wasn't shortlisted because I'm not continuing or overseas. I have reapplied for AHRC funding and as the results date looms I'm pessimistic and I feel like jacking the whole thing in.

I want a PhD and I think my topic is brilliant (obviously) but I feel like it might just ruin the rest of my life if I have to do it like this.

Is anyone else part time and how do you manage?