So What is the moral of the story? Nat! Just imagine yourself as a professor/lecturer in an average ranking UK university. You have a doctorate in '----'. What would be your motivations? You have 2 funded places but want 6/7 PhD students each year. "To get plenty of PhD students, get a lot of work done. Publish papers in abundance (don't forget 90% effort would be from the student side) write this all on your CV and move over to a more prestigious university with salary bonuses". Who gains most in this? (14K)x(3)+(3350)x(3)+stationery+travel costs seems a lot of money a self funded student would have to find. It is true that it is kind of a free labor.

My mom whispers from Heaven:
"My child, my Spirit is calm,
No more tears or pain, I´m floating in Eden.
I´m holding your daddy´s hands."

We are both sitting by the Lord.
He is with His Majesty at His Throne.
This place is all Lights, beyond Stars.
It´s Heaven, just like when you were born.

Natassia! Congratulations, But don't let this effect your Msc. If you get a distinction or high marks you would def be a good candidate for research grant in any British University. I was selected to do PhD at 4 universities including UCL but only one funding application was successful. People are striving for self funded students. Keep your options open at this stage. Let her know that without funding it would be very difficult for you to continue.

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First of all, I could not recognize the date as above. Guitarman are you sure you have not crossed the dimensions where rest of us are stationed at the moment? If you have, then congratulations to have broken the barrier in which people like me have been trapped for decades! May be we need a time machine to do that?

He offered free driving lessons for their kids and their kids? He look quite decent chap here though.http://www.peoplespartyessex.org.uk/page_1962642.html

Some people do actually give up in haste. To reach a level where someone starts enjoying PhD, you have to go through an up hill kind of struggle may be like climbing Everest or running a mega marathon. The pain is more of a spiritual nature as I have experienced. But believe me after all that I can go through any research paper on my subject like a story book. That all i will say my friends. This discussion will get us nowhere.

BB, God can do miracles! Thanks and I wish you all the best.

BilboBaggins! Is this some kind of mystery illness, I know all kinds of diseases could be cured except some neurological ones. I have gained 4 Stones and still gaining. I am not bothered now. BB remain optimistic!

I dropped my Laptop today and I can feel that the HD is in pain. Do you know of any GNU backup program? or I have to call in again the same old friend 'DOS' as I need a carbon copy!

I will advise you to contact your employer regarding conditions of work/visa. They may also think that it is going to improve your performance in you current job etc then you can do it like a work based training. This is just my personal opinion. An employer or even an immigration solicitor can give better advice? I won't doubt your abilities based on a simple mistake or perhaps your enthusiasm to check the strength of words(up). I could not response to survey but for me its a 'maybe'

I Know a few people who went for regular Graduate jobs after PhD with about 8k salary bonuses. Why can't you?. Doing 2nd PhD just as a job is nice especially if you want to extend the knowledge already gained in 1st, may be just my thought!

MissinHome! Life in UK is just like that, after a few years people get used to it. It is your choice, either walk out or become one of em!

WoW! That reminds me of 'Alliens vs Predators'

1.finish writing publication by 3am.
2.send it for proof reading and corrections by thursday.
3.complete writing references for the literature survey by friday.
4.see my gf on Saturday/Sunday.

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It has built up my intellect. I rejected all ideas of doing PhD for the sake of a better future, job and money of course. I did come from a privileged family and enjoyed best of everything in all my childhood. This reminded me a great man who once said ' The heights achieved by great men are never done in a sudden flight but whilst their companion slept were toiling upwards towards the skies' I now can differentiate a diamond in a junk and a junk among jewels. Thanks for all those who never scolded me even when I was wrong. The journey to truth is really difficult but once achieved is fascinating.