Coffee and crisps, although the two are mutually incompatible. Which of course means I need to have a break while consuming said crisps. I have an IV line for caffeine supply.

Whilst Evil Fuzzy was pondering his next move, casually licking his paws in a bid to remove any evidence of his consumption of "Next Door's" roast chicken dinner, the Demon Owner espied him. War was betwixt these two implacable foes: feline fury pitted against man's malice. The cold air was frigid in his nose, freezing his feet, the discomfort making Evil Fuzzy careless, masking Demon Owner's stealthy approach. Evil Fuzzy continued his cleaning, unaware of the crack of light spilling from the opening window above him. Casacading water showered over him; Evil Fuzzy leapt sideways, drenched and freezing: "P**S OFF YOU FURRY F****R!!!!!"

Join the club!

Olivia, where are you, I need cheering up and motivating.

I know the name of a really good assassin.

I'm reading "Pillars of the earth" by Ken Follet. Quality cheese, but the work ethic of the monks makes me feel guilty for reading a novel and not some paper!

*Snigger* A big feature might include Olivia's favourite fish recipes...

Supervisor, then Dean. That usually works. Failing that, inform them of your concerns and unless something is done, you wish to opt out of certain duties.

Hi Mary, there's plenty of suggestions found on some of the topics located in the archive bit. Have a nose about there, everyone's got a great suggestion: mine is (listen to Coral) and be your-relaxed-self

How can you know the country is pants...you haven't lived there! Don't jump to conclusions so quickly. Yes you are doing something mind-bogglingly HUGE that if you weren't nervous, I'd be convinced you didn't have a pulse. But you want this. You've waited and looked for this. It's possible you and your boyf will go separate ways, that's life. You have to live your life, not anyone else's. Would you regret it if you didn't do this or worse, spend the rest of your life wondering "what if?"

Ah, but you can't produce a conversation as visible evidence that you have explored other options before taking radical action. By having a copy of the letter, you can successfully counter a claim of "I knew nothing about this".

Send a letter to the head of department, copied to your supervisor first. Going off on one without (apparent) reason is never a good plan and will harm your future prospects. Cool down and tread carefully. I would suggest in your letter that you provide some options they could pursue, ie: if you wish us to do X, then provide the training or suggest alternatives. This is more politic than "do this or else..." and makes you friends in the long run.

A cover letter is typically one side of typed A4. Seems obivious but make it professional; the correct format, etc. It shows attention to detail. Don't gloss over your first project, use it as a way of demonstrating your versatility.

They may do. More likely they will ask you about whatever they have planned; how you feel about studying there. You'll probably get a couple of technical questions (if it's science) or opinions to ascertain your academic level. Watch out for the left-field question - you won't be expecting it and they normally sneak one in!
Uppermost, DO NOT BULLSHIT! Don't big yourself up, pretend you know all about something and make out you are the only viable option for this post. Remember, they want the person first, not the brain power

Doubts are good. It is a big, life-changing step. My adivice would be to be objective. Is the funding (if any) good, are career prospects improved, networking potential? These are questions to ask yourself. Don't worry about being pigeonholed, a PhD demonstrates your ability to research, not that you are an "expert" in that particular field. Remember above all - do you want to do *this* for three years?