Love Actually - good choice. Often mentioned on this board for one of the stars - Alan Rickman! ha ha

Feeling out of your depth, an imposter in front of colleagues etc. this is all NORMAL! Now you know you are not alone - things will get easier. A PhD is all about the project evolving. Even those of us with only months to go won't not what the project is really about until we finish. Keep going and as one of the previous posters suggested - take this as a positive realisation and review where you are at ready for the new term!

I sense some anger rat. Sounds like some supervisors are quite controlling. Fortunately my supervisor lets me get on with it.

I have my computer, speakers, lamp, bookchair, note pad, book, papers, two pencil pots, keys, glasses, post-its, Billy Joel CD and a library card I keep meaning to put back in my wallet.
How about you?

In the beginning I said I would never let my PhD take over my life - it has! It is always there in the back of your mind - the further in you are, the harder it is to switch off. People may begin to get that "here she/he goes again" look on their face when you talk about your research. You will have some very high highs but some very low lows. Embrace both and know you need the lows to appreciate the highs. You will realise the only person who really cares about your work is you - this can be isolating and lonely (hence the need for forums like this). You also need "thinking time" - so if you have a day where all you do is check emails etc. that is fine - this is thinking time. All of the above is NORMAL. Do not fear, for the majority a PhD is a brilliant experience - although they might say that they wouldn't do it again! Good luck one and all!

Sylvester - it is TOTALLY about managing your manager. If you take a look at any of the PhD help books they each have a section on this. It is so important and something we should all take on board early on. It makes for a better working relationship and shows you take your work seriously. I also think being honest with your supervisor is key. If you are having a bad day, week, month - let them know. Better than them thinking everything is fine and then having a go when the work isn't coming in.

weight gain - the biggest hazard!!!!!!!!

1) In the first year we met fortnightly. In second year once every two months. In third year on a monthly basis.
2) Meetings are pre-arranged. We usually set a date at the end of each meeting for the next one.

I think when it comes to supervisors you need to be pro-active. It is better for you to be on their case than them to be on your's. I also think honesty is the best policy - if you haven't done the work, don't hide tell them. If you think a meeting will be useless, explain and cancel. If you really need a meeting, email them and arrange one. Sadly you soon realise the only person who cares about your PhD is you - yes supervisors care but ultimately it is down to you!

Once again this depends on the field of study - but in terms of my own research, a questionnaire would be useful if I wanted to draw out some broad trends relating to UK Museums - thus sending a questionnaire to all local and national museums in the UK (not including private museums). This would mean over 250 questionnaires with potential response rate at 50%. Jojo not sure in what sense you mean struggle with interviews - but they offer vast amounts of data, AND in a shorter time period. You could always do a questionnaire, find out who is interested/looks interesting - and then target interviews from there.

I think it depends on the discipline you are working in. I know in my own area questionnaires are used as a way of getting basic info and idea of potential responses. But the main methods are interviews, focus groups and participant observation. Questionnaires are seen as rather 'undergraduate' by some staff members. As Sylvester points out, unless you are sampling a very very large number of people - questionnaires offer little depth. And in my opinion a PhD is about depth rather than breadth.

Sorry to hear this. A PhD is totally not worth getting ill over! If you really feel unwell then don't go to the conference and let all organisers etc. know as soon as possible. However if you think this is a way for you to get out of doing the presentation then FIGHT IT! One of the best things we do as PhD students is tell people about our work and then get feedback. Feeling after presentation is great - you can feel totally empowered! If you really don't feel well. Don't go.

IF only it were that easy with all journals - could do with a few publications about now!

Difficult situation to be in. I think this is where a GOOD supervisor will come into their own and really help you through. If there only advice is to "try to write up", I suggest you need to be firm with them and find out exactly how to go about this. Unfortunately my work is in the social sciences and cannot therefore comment on experiments etc. but I would assume your supervisor is the person you need some straight answers from. I also suggest if this is an awkward situation, perhaps speak to your advisor or another mentor in the department. Good luck.

Hi Jen, I know it is hard, but I would take the red ink to be a positive thing. Firstly your supervisors have engaged with it - as you will see from previous posts finding supervisors who can be bothered can be difficult. Second you now have something to work with and develop. Perhaps type out their comments and restructure your piece. Then take it a section at a time. Go for it girl!

And in response to the original question - the same thing happened last year - i turned my allegiances to LOVE ISLAND! Sad but true.