have people found that theyre phd is taking over theyre life?! Its all i can think about - talk about - its all everything - i mean i dont mind -but i think others are annoyed about listening to it. I go to the gym and kick boxing so i do things outside the phd - i dont know how else to stop thiking about it

I was definately intending to get a funded phD as I am poor and need money, I couldnt affort tution fees and living costs else! A year out is a definate possibility for me if I fail in my applications this year.

Thanks for all your advice! i have started asking around my department and they all seem to think I am a good worker so hopefully they might think of me if something comes up! Plus my summer project data is looking significant so I may have a paper pending publication to impress at interviews! I am hoping to stay at my current university or at least one not too far away in the midlands, but my current uni is probably the best in the region for what I want to do!

I just tend to stand under the lab emergency shower once a week or so...

But if the projects are in related areas this can be okay, and may even make you seem more interested in that field. I applied for several PhDs at the same institution, in two different schools, and no one seemed to mind. Be prepared for them to ask you at interview where/what else you have applied for though!

http://graphite.st-edmunds.cam.ac.uk/~kw10004/phdgam/ might make you feel better

I wasn't sure who the "labs" comment was directed towards... I don't work in a lab at all! Oh well.

The main point is that getting all the way through a PhD is T.O.U.G.H. and lots of us need little pep talks sometimes. From those who have already finished, they all say they had the PhD blues but they got thru it and that each and every one of us will get through it too.

It's just nice to know none of us are alone and we all struggle at some point!

a phd is all about flexibility. i hate labs cos i cant get n e work done. I also suggest you get a life Stu rather than revolving ur life around this forum...it seems u think ur some know-it-all who hasnt even started his phd yet. You dont own the forum!

a phd is all about flexibility. i hate labs cos i cant get n e work done.

I've got one lying around somewhere....ohh here it is, there you go

Well you tell us, you live there already! Assuming the 5k excludes tuition fee payment, then that would be scraping the barrel for living costs i'd imagine. Its feasible, especially if you could supplement it with part time income

Just to clarify, I mean you might not be eligible for a graduate fast-track scheme after a PhD.

And the supervisors would probably want arrogance out of their lab anyway, so will probably let you work from home

oohhh, a tint of arrogance. With that arrogant attitude, perhaps you wouldn't be able to get through the door of the lab (head too big)

It depends what you want to do - if you want to research (either in academia or industry) then a PhD is definitely worth doing. AFAIK, you are only eligible for actual graduate training positions for a couple of years after graduating from your first degree so you probably wouldn't be eligible for those type of jobs anyway.