(I've found I often speak Dutch back to front)

Mag ik spelen; ik spreek ook een beetje Nederlands (maar erg heel slecht). Ik heb bewondering voor Nederlanders: ze kan zoveel talen kunnen spreken

I'm in pharmacy. Endless health and safety regulations, of course, but also a nightmare moving money from one account to another, so ordering consumables for the lab can take ages. Everything has to be signed by at least 3 people, one of whom will always be in Mongolia when you need them.

Here it is:

http://www.kettering.edu/~jhuggins/humor/admin.html

Rick's right; sleep and look after yourself. The last thing you want is another cold right on top of this one.

I know, I know...so many hoops to jump through. Did you ever see that email joke that went around, about the element "Administratum"? (inhibits every reaction it comes into contact with, and so forth)

Thanks Cryogenics Good to have your calming influence; I was getting a bit facetious there, so Sassy: I (genuinely) apologise for the puking comment; it has clearly upset you. As for the rest: well, I've said my piece and I think now I will agree to disagree with my detractors.

You are right. It is unheard of for anyone to vomit whilst pregnant. My apologies.

Sassy: sickness is unavoidable.

She should not proffer the information, but if she has definite plans to get pregnant during that time: don't apply for the PhD. Have the kids first and then do the PhD. Or do it part time.

You are right in that I'm not in that position: I'm in my 30's but I'm lucky enough not to want children.

Re: your second post. Yes, of course. But your career begins after your PhD.


As Cryogenics said, prioritise. And she ain't that smart if she thinks that morning sickness goes well with an intensive period of education.

Ras, do you read any posts before replying?
Read my post about research councils and funding.

Also, it's just good manners. You are expected to tell potential supervisors about holidays you have booked, because it will mean arranging work around your time off.

I say it again: you don't live in a vaccuum and your actions affect other people (and yourself: it really, really is not a good idea to be puking up whilst writing a thesis).

Thanks Cryogenics

Think I need to repeat this cos I haven't made myself clear. It was suggested earlier in this forum that a student who is planning a pregnancy should not tell her supervisory team, and imply that is was an accident. It's the dishonesty that is wrong. As for planned vs unplanned: I have explained my argument enough times now; beginning to feel like a stuck CD.

No-one is arguing that, Sassy. I'm just saying it's not ideal. Without wanting to offend anyone, I cannot believe that being pregnant whilst doing a PhD is ideal; just as it's not ideal whilst as an undergraduate, or as a schoolchild. My point (for the nth time) is that unplanned pregnancies are unavoidable and women should be supported to make whatever decision they choose. Lying to your supervisor (even by ommison) is avoidable and unfair.

I agree, Cryogenics. Of course women (of which I am one, in case anyone is in doubt) are entitled to make their own decisions, but it would be courteous of them to remember that other people exist and are affected by those decisions. With rights come responsibilites.

All I have said (several times now) is that it would be better to wait three years. Just as it is better to wait till you have finished your GCSEs before getting pregnant (not being silly here: where I come from it is not unusual for 16 year olds to become pregnant, but I would advise them too to wait till their exams are over...)

And Ras: you misunderstand. My point re: unplanned pregnancies is that it can happen to anyone (female, anyway) and in that case, the woman and her supervisory team must make the best of it and support her, whatever decision she makes. This is a world away from the dishonesty implied in planning to get pregnant, but not telling your supervisor at inteview.