I agree with Frau Swantje. And make sure you don't appear to talk or act to informally. Lunch is part of the interview and observation process. Don't get to friendly or chitty chatty with any of the other candidates. They remain your direct competitors. Don't appear nervous either. Be cool, calm, confident and not sweaty.

I agree with all the previous posters. Working all night might be my personal "problem issue", but even that was only in the writing up phase. What I found more challenging is the constant criticism and insecurity for such a prolonged period of time.

In comparison, the PhD lifestyle takes three or four times as long, and instead of going to bed at 11 you will probably have to pull a considerable amount of all nighters. I counted mine: 150 in total. Next day starting early again. When I did my Masters I thought it is really tough, but how clueless was I with regard to the workload and insecurity at PhD level.

This question cannot be answered. In general terms, not less than 3 years. Most people actually manage to get a PhD within the 5-year band, 4.2 years on average. Yes, it sucks.

Limerick is a funny place. I remember once flying to Shannon Airport, then taking a cab to my Travellodge which was up on a hill outside a city. I walked down into town, took me about an hour. Then I asked some stranger:"Is this the town Limerick or Shannon?", because I really didn't know. She looked at me like I'm from Mars and said in some weird accent:"This is Limerick". Apparently there is no city called Shannon, it's only the airport!

But anyway, I thought it was quite a nice town and never felt dangerous.

By making a quick judgment about a new colleague, who you don't even know very well, you are basically doing yourself no favour. There is no point comparing yourself with another person. Who says you are more interesting than anyone? Perhaps you are perceived as being bitchy, fake and two-faced by your colleagues. Even if you really are a nice person. Who knows? Think about yourself at first.

Be open, be friendly, and most importantly don't be so tense about everything, then you will make friends very quickly.

Ha ha, he'll be a lonely man!

No wonder everyone thinks scientists are a bit excentric.

All very dry, boring(remember, not everyone here is doing a PhD in your area) and not clear to the point.

Given that it is now July 2008, it is perhaps a bit too early to look out for a Postdoc. When are you planning to submit your thesis?

Good stuff. Does a tour around the block count as sightseeing?

What a life! (sighing in desperation)

Administrators, before you even think about it, this ain't off topic. It contains the word "PhD", at least once.

Anyone planning to go on holiday this summer to take a break from the Ph.D? I know that most supervisors don't like this, but in the interest of mental well being, I think breaks are very important. How do you make sure that you really take the time off? If I'm at home I will think about the PhD every day, so usually I need to leave the country.

Whilst I'm doing your Google search for colleges for you, is there anything else I can do? Like bringing your car to the yearly inspection? Or cleaning your flat/house?

yippee! I've been censored again. For all the wrong reasons! The morale ethics of the administrators are built on questionable foundations.

You sound remarkably like your colleague with the "PhD in Formulation". Do you both live in the same body? Or are you just twin brothers who are too lazy for a basic Google search?

Don't do it. If you don't like research, what's the point? Remember, this could potentially steal or waste half a decade of your life.

why has there been extensive censorship on this tread?