Mine is a bit bland at the moment! Think I need a sizzle and stir to liven it up! : Þ

Sounds like a good idea! How about some chocolate midges?

I agree with pep. Mine was informal too, they just wanted to meet me and make sure I knew what I was letting myself in for. I still got asked some of the standard questions by my supervisor but there wasn't a panel! Although all the other interviews I've been to were formal ones

You've got to just think what is at the end of it all - be in it for yourself and forget trying to impress others. If I were you I would just press on as best you can, you will get through it and the 2 two years will fly by. I think you will regret it if you give up now. You can only do your best and when you graduate you will wonder what all the fuss was about!

Thank you everyone for the wonderful hints on how to go about this. For those asking, I am an international student and the area of research I ave been invited to interview for is biomedical science. Any further ideas are welcome.

you got to prey too

mine was informal... we just went to the students union had a pint of beer and chatted about how crap dealing with commercial organisations were. He did mention he was giving me the phd quite early on if i wanted it.
So the message is - there is such a thing as an informal chat. Most academics are not formal people and they are not great dealing with people. If you relax, they will too and probably like you more for it.

Well, remember your 3rd year project, maybe go over it to remind yourself what you did. Also, try and get a feel for the project you're up for, look around some of the literature about it and just look like you have an idea about what you're talkign about

That's good advice Pep…but Helen, make sure you are not being too hard on yourself, it's easy to feel inadequate if you are comparing yourself with colleagues who have many years more research experience than you. Undoubtedly, everyone who has been through the PhD process has felt as you do at one time or another so as Pep predicted, what you are feeling is 'normal' but certainly nothing is worth making yourself constantly miserable for. Perhaps try to have some time off to de-stress a bit and then reassess how you feel? Take care.

I agree with Andy about it never being informal.Just be really enthusiastic about the area of research and know what you want to achieve from doing it, future goals, why you want to do a PhD, why this one.

I'm sure people will all reassure you and its normal... but then again, there is no shame in quiting and finding something you are more happy with. Find that something first though... it may not even exist. Also do enough for an MPhil and then at least you will have closure and something to show for your efforts.

To Important. Here is the "Clean Details" sit down and wait. It will fall into your lap from heaven.

Am at end of first year, and feeling more and more depressed. I feel inadequate when my colleagues discuss stuff, lonely, frustrated because my subjects aren't cooperating, neglected by my supervisor, and more and more aware that my research doesn't really benefit anyone.
Just want to feel happy, not sure if can take feeling like this for the rest of it.

Sarah please be aware there is no such thing as 'informal'. I fell for this one and was grilled for 1 hour on my 3rd year project - I was rejected! Good luck - just be yourself, I start another PhD in Oct!Andy xx

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