Thanks everyone for the suggestions - I have managed to write papers for publication but since I started the PhD I seem to have get writer's block

I do use spider diagrams (a great package called mindmap) and have managed to put quite a lot of detail in with links between sections - it's just starting to write. I keep reading and then adding more detail on my plan instead of actually just putting pen to paper or finger to keyboard. I've identified a section which I think I can make a start on so I will try to make a start on that this week.

I started my (part-time) PhD (social sciences) in December and got my proposal approved by the research committee at Easter. Since then I have been busy with marking and finalising undergrad marks but have tried to make sure I still do some PhD work. I have been reading and tracking down references, I've also done a fairly detailed plan of the content of my lit review and have written my presentation for PhD student day tomorrow.

What I haven't done is any writing - every time I start I just get really scared that I won't be able to do it and so bottle it. I've got a paper to write by the end of June but I am bottling that as well. It's been 5 years since I did my MSc but I have written stand alone papers on unrelated topics in that time. i also did my PGCE in Higher Education so it isn't that long since I wrote anything. I'm just so scared that I'm not good enough to write to PhD standard (even though I got distinctions in both my Masters). Everyone who has already got a PhD says nothing you write is wasted but I just don't know how to start. I did write 2 sentences but they were so superficial I gave up.

HELP!!!!!!!!

I am in awe of you (but do know the feeling of motivation that a looming deadline brings!)

You aren't on any new medication are you (or even over the counter vitamin supplement)?  Even some mediation that doesn't list this as a recognised side effect could have an effect. Pluck up the courage and see a doctor - it won't be the first time he's come across this (I speak from experience of my husband who had similar problems but wouldn't go to doctor, came off medication because of an adverse reaction with another short term medication and hey presto problem solved - doctor has now changed original medication).

PS I have also ignored the chaps only instruction (in fact it's usually us girls who know more about men's health)

I've been told by a colleague (who is an experienced PhD examiner) that everything should be listed - can't you list them as you would list any presentation (in you ref list)

So am I being naive then? Now you have got me worried as I have come up with a model which I have yet to empirically test (part of PhD) - surely the fact that I presented it at a conference (and so there were witnesses) mean if anyone steals it I can out them as having copied it?

Someone (a practitioner who had nothing to gain or lose from me) did warn me against someone else at the conference so I was a bit cagey with her but when a top person in the field (who has a publication record as long as your arm and really doesn't need to steal ideas) spends an hour and a half talking with you including suggestions on refinements to your PhD you shouldn't clam up? The conference convenor has told me that he has been quoting my model - should I be worried about that?

I commute (by car so much more stressful and no possibility of reading enroute) 3 hour round trip daily (although I do get occassionally to work at home and at this time of year I can focus on PhD and so be at home more). I regulalry leave home at 6.30 and get home at 7 or later. Like you I live on a farm, I also have children who are settled so I wouldn't move. I've been doing this for 5 years. it is possible and lots of people have to do this (and worse for a job).

What would concern me about your situation is the cost.

Errrrr why would you do this? Especially at conferences? I have had amazing help from very emminent people in my field through conversations over drinks, or very early in the monring at conferences which are helpinging to shape my PhD (and yes I am also in the very early stages). I've had other academics who have also sent papers which they thought I might be interested in (but which are in other fields) and other PhD students in my fiedl (fomr the other side of the world) who are sharing their thoughts with me which will help to shape our litle bit of our subject. None of this would have happened if I hadn't shared what I was doing.

I'm afraid I don't think it is Ok - be cagey if you must but why would you want to lie - it's dishonest and eventually people will find out what you are working on and will know you have lied to them and that isn't a reputation I would want.

Check the health care position as I think you may be entitled to NHS care as you are a long term student. Hospitals in london are very good medically but the NHS ones are not like hotels (but hopefully you won't need it). You should register with a General Practitioner (general doctor) when you arrive - these are the only way you can access specialist doctors (other than via the emergency room of a hospital). The international office at your university should be able to advise you on how to do this.

Dental care is effectively all private, again you can get information on this fomrthe international office but as you are in London you may be able to get treatment at a dental school.

You should also enquire when you get your visa about whether there is a work permit attached to it (they have changed the rules recently but when I did my MSc there were quite a few non-EU students who were on the course and they were able to work (limited hours a week - 16 I think)) - that might help with funding.

You could also check what the position is regarding Schengen visas (which covers most of Europe) so that if you want to take advantage of being close o Europe adn do some travelling- not sure of the position for US passport holders but I know that some other nationalities hav eto get an EU visa) although that is something that will probably hav eto wait until you arrive.

Other things to do after you arrive is get a student identity card for discounts on all sorts of things, student rail cards which give discount on trains (if you want to see some of the UK while you are here this is probably the best option), check out the driving licence position (although if you are in London you probably won't need this)

Hi Huhu
I don't think you need to keep redoing the plan but you can add to it if things change - I am doing my lit review at the moment and am using mindmaps (spider diagrams) to plan out - as I read thing I am adding more to the different legs but then have made some bits into new legs as they have become more important. I see the plan as a livign document that I add to (but not necessarily share with my supervisors). I also have a rough time plan - more detailed for this summer, less detield fro 3 years time.

The funding bodies are clamping down on universities having PhD students regitered for years and years and going nowhere. At my uni they have changed the regs so that there is no writing up fee - it's full fees all the way through and pretty tight deadlines (of course all the people on old regs are still hanging around) - they want to get completions up to 75% (currently around 40 I think)

Hey Well Done - it won't take long for it to be as personal (and messy) as anyone else'1