PS. Stressed - you're not a loser, the AHRC are the losers because they will never be able to take credit for the brilliant work you are going to produce!

He! He! We should work for Royal Mail Stressed! We could finish work by midday (as a postie) then do our PhD work in the afternoon! We'd be bloody knackered after 3 years and probably drop dead with exhaustion, but hey you'd get a Dr.on our headstone! Oh and AHRC applicants would get their post early because WE CARE!!!

The cognitive therapy is definetely something I'm considering, think I might need it as I suffer from shaky confidence syndrome. Ironically everyone thinks I'm a confident person - over compensating for the lack of self-belief I suppose???. You suffer in silence though, and I don't think this is a good thing - not with 3 years of PhD graft ahead of you!

Hey maybe we could become Olmypians???? I see funding opportunities ahead with 2012 coming. I'm going for gold in procrastination and postman stalking. On the last one however I see fierce competition!!!

Brilliant! Thanks Pamplemousse I can arrange cognitive therapy sessions for Wednesday's now!
Been thinking about the AHRC's economy drive on postage - they're actually saving more than £300 because the fat A4 'happy' packs are now extinct. Mmmm maybe a saving of £600??? That makes a difference... NOT!!!!

I agree 100% with you stressed. I got mine out of the way last year and done very well but a friend of mine who was waiting for AHRC news got a really poor mark (by his standards). Luckily he got the funding but if he'd have been unlucky and had to have applied this year failure in his dissertation would have hindered his chances of funding! Its all a little ironic really how the AHRC is a barrier to academic achievement in so many ways.

At least the postal vigil can resume in the morning... hurrah!

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Thanks Stressed its so good to know there are people out there who understand. I can take the decision whatever it is, its the not knowing thats so infuriating.

Well done Pallas!
Nothing for me again. Feeling really upset today the wait is killing me. Lack of sleep has made me a nervous wreck and the thought of waiting until after the bank holiday for my letter is more than I can cope with at the moment. Regardless of whether you've got an award or not I think we've all been treated disgracefully for having to wait so long for the AHRC to put a bloody letter in a bloody envelope!
Sorry for the moan guys!!!!

Congrats soarous & lucia I'm really pleased for you! Sorry about your bad news wanwan it must be really frustrating. I've heard nothing,again! Luckily I've got the hangover from hell, decided to blow off the cobwebs last night and I'm paying for it now. At least its given me a break from AHRC anxiety but I wouldn't recommend it as a coping strategy!

Sorry to hear that Dmharry. You seem like the sort of person who will suceed regardless of the AHRC and I'd like to wish you all the best for the future.

This seems like a good plan MissHopeful. We have to accept that some of us are not going to get AHRC funding. I know this is a depressing thought but the simple fact is that there is not enough money to go around. Decisions are made and we have to live with that. Investigating other options is certainly productive and I know it has made me feel better to know that there are other options out there (even though they are not my first choices).

Chin up,at least we've all got each other!
- cue cyber cuddle for all... aahhh
ps. The waiting is still pissing me off though!

Nor me...

I've heard Gutenberg himself works for the AHRC!

Welcome to the madhouse Lucia!:-)

Blimey, what have they got a (and I mean one!) 1970s dot matrix printer or what???? Or are they writing the letters by hand??? I think you're right its best to disregard everything they say.

BobNic!!! Forgot you were panel 4 too!!! Emailed the head of postgraduate dept yesterday there has been little news so far from panel 4- so there are still quite a few of us out there still waiting. But for how long? The plot thickens....

You're absolutely right Pallas. I'm waiting for panel 4 by the way. I think the thing thats irritating me most is that my letter was generated early last week but nobody can tell me when it will be sent!!! It's frustrating and very confusing.