I'm working from home for a few weeks before I move up to the uni. I've done nothing and I'm SOOO bored!

I've just moved to start my PhD this past week. Everything was going great, but now I'm seriously questioning what the hell I'm doing here. I haven't exactly bonded with my officemates whereas everyone else has, I've been given some papers to read and they all look gobbledegook, my housemates are great but we are starting to get on each others nerves and now I think I've got freshers flu !

Anyone else feeling equally overwhelmed ? I'm sure everything will be fine, just want to know I'm not the only one...

I think there is some confusion here.
You can be a graduate teaching assistant without a PhD where they will let you loose on undergraduates as a seminar teacher or a lab based demonstrator. If you want to lecture (have a proper faculty position) then you need a PhD and plenty of experience. Hope this helps.

There is a limit, but no one is very open about what this limit is - the most I did in one week was 9 hours, typically 6. I found out later that this was one of the largest totals per semester in the department (I didn't CHOOSE to do all of those hours - I wss just given a timetable at the start of the year, and not knowing that demonstrating is strictly voluntary I just did what I was told).

What is the stuffing density? Are we talking marshmallow or piece of wood here???? I predict there will be a proportionate correlation between the level of marshmallowness and the difficulty of moving the sofa/couch/settee/seat/chair

Orange is pants

Surprised you can smell anything over your own disgusting B.O.

Eat them with your PhD

I think it depends on the subject. For physical sciences I'd say yes, absolutely - a PhD and at least 3 years postdoctoral experience. But I did some archaeology a few years ago and I remember there were staff without PhDs. I've just checked their website and found one Mr, but he's a "senior research officer" (which you can be even with a PhD).

doesn't it make your room smell....?

That rumour looks like a lie. Anne, just as I was thinking you were an "orite sort"....

I always find that if you're worried about annoying people by talking too much, the best thing to do is start a long and meaningless post *wink*

No. Also, everyone has a right to their opinion.

yes

oil their wheel, or keep them in the bathroom