That's a good one! I mean delaying the marriage - that's exactly what my family said! The first response I got from them was "So you're not getting married then?" My mum then said wow you'll be really old and that little cousin who is nearly four will have a boyfriend before I do! They are really on my case as well trying to find me people!! What one has to do with the other I don't know! But it's good to know ther are others in the same boat

It's has got a very good reputation for environmental stuff so if you are doing something in that field it would be good as everyone has heard of it!

The thought of doing one is scaring me already and I've only just started! It's probably seeing all the current 1st years after they have had theirs which seem quite tough! It's good practice for the viva at the end I suppose!

I am also worried that I am not up to what they expect and they will find out soon and realise they've made a mistake! I also worry about not having enough time to finish everything (lab work mainly) as I have an ambitious project so plenty of things to keep me worried! Having said that it's been great so far even with these doubts!

Me too! I am worried that I'm not doing enough!

I thought everyone was entitled to their own workspace! It's like a rite of passage - you have your own desk, computer, filing cabinet space and bookshelf. So they can chain you to your desk!!

I also had a break between my BSc and MSc. I moved to the opposite end of my field for my MSc so it was difficult for me to get a PhD. However I got work experience in the area of MSc and I've just started a PhD in that area! A good ref is vital - that's how I got my project! It took a while to get here but it was worth it! You still to apply but you should contact them first to say you're interested and ask about opportunities.

Contacts are the KEY to the process! Quite often it's WHO you know and not what you know (to a lesser extent!) Harsh but academia is a very small world so it pays to network!! There is an old boys’ network for elitist unis i.e. the established ones that'll be hard to get into unless you were an undergraduate or know someone! But they are not necessarily the best as they have become too established in their ideas and lost the vitality and spark of newer unis! Alot of it is caught up in keeping the prestige!

Keep up the good work regarding grades as it will be easier if you have better grades and thick skin is important. I agree with DanB - it happens more often than you think so don't get too attached to one project otherwise it'll be a big fall but easier said than done. There will always be something round the corner that even better! A cliche but it's true - everything works out for a reason!

I did the same as Alex - going to start my proper research soon once everything settles down as it's the start of term and the labs are getting reorganised at the moment to accomodate everyone! I'm doing a literature review at the moment so I can get upto date with the latest developments in one of my subject areas. I can do other ones for the different areas as I move onto them. This way it's alot more manageable!

Don't worry about not having a clear idea of what to do as nobody does at this stage! It's all trial and error to see what works! It'll be good to be in the lab as you can familiarise yourself with techniques etc.. before you start your proper research! I found it a weird transition from working in a lab before to being a student but you soon get used to it! Being in the lab definitley helped!

I agree with Ann - you need a PhD to get anywhere in academia - both lecturing and research! You've done most of the hard work so it would be a shame to let it go now! It should be quite easy to transfer to a PhD! Good luck and hope you get the funding!

It's upto you - if you want to do an average PhD and just scrape by you can only put in a few hours but what is really the point of that? Scientists seem to have a hard time as it's a long hard slog in the lab to get results! You will get out of it what you put in!

Most people feel unsettled in a new place at the beginning. It is likely that you will feel differently in a few weeks when you've met some new friends and got a feel for the place. Perhaps give it a month and see how you feel then?

Go for the PhD, an extra year's work will be worth it, especially if you want to lecture. You usually need a good research background for lecturing positions. Good luck.

The new student may have a different source of funding. Your friend knew that the position wasn't funded when he/she started, so why should they be entitled to anything now? By all means ask the supervisor, but I doubt anything will come from it. As for legal action, thats a bit drastic, considering your friend shouldn't want to upset the supervisor