Try www.protocols-online.com (I think thats the website, if it doesn't work just google protocols online) They have a variety of protocols for lots of different things and also a forum where you can ask questions.

I don't plan on giving up a social life. I'm sure it's possible to have both if you plan stuff well. I'm still planning on having a 2 week holiday and at least two long weekends away each year - is this a bit naive?!

As this is an anonymous forum it's not too embarrassing for me to explain - I got pregnant after having sex twice, using condoms - definitely don't trust them anymore!

Does being on the pill really stop your ability to conceive later? I've been on it 6 years and will likely be on it at least another 4 before I have babies - would that be bad? There's no option for me to come off it as I am super-fertile!

Salary wise it is definitely best to get a PhD, the starting salaries can increase by around £10,000. Also you are more limited in your career options without a PhD. With one you will be promoted much faster.

I think even if you don't want a career in academia a PhD is well worth doing if you think you'll be able to motivate yourself. Otherwise you may be in a job in industry, watching other people younger and less experienced than you being promoted above you which can get frustrating.

I think if you want to quit you should quit, but you won't know if you want to quit after just a few weeks. Does that make sense? I would at least give it until the year upgrade, a year out of your life is nothing and then you might still be able to walk away with an MPhil.

That is so true, (about subtle not working on men) I used to flirt subtley with my now boyfriend but I had to pretend to have hurt my leg for him to take the hint. (very lame I know, but who cares - it worked!)

At my uni there are graduate courses, stuff like "getting hte most out of your PhD" or "managing time effectively" that they recommend first year students go to. As well as getting you away from your reading if it's getting a bit much they are good to meet people and realise everyone feels the same. If your uni doesn't have these it might have a postgrad society or something similar. Also look for seminars in your area, we are encouraged to go to 2 a week and they are good to see how other people went about their research and are never that in depth so it wont be over your head. Hope some of this helps

I hated it the first week, thought I didn't fit in and was never going to be able to think like the academics. I think it takes a good few months to really enjoy it as to begin with you just feel confused! I'm having fun now only because I've put the fact that I don't understand a single thing I'm doing to the back of my head!

Because I'm lab based I don't think my boyf would expect me to stay hoome for deliveries, but I probably would so he wouldn't have to use up holiday. But he does enjoy my flexible hours, eg this morning he forgot his mobile and as I don't have to be in by a certain time I was able to trek the wrong way across London to give it to him before I went to work. However, he does do all the cooking

My parents are the worst. They haven't once asked what I'm actually researching and when I try to tell them they don't even attempt to understand. I suppose it doesn't really matter to anyone else but it would be nice if people didn't just think "science PhD = geek"!

My boyfriend is sweet about everything and really tries to understand what I do and likes me explaining the science bits. But in my freak out moments where I get scared about the writing up part I don't think he thinks of it as any harder than just writing a report and sees it as I've got 4 years to do it so it can't be too bad.

I share an office with 3 other people and have my own desk (which is a mess already) and computer. Also have a computer in the lab I can use.

From my own research and talking to my friends I think that if you get full funding then you get approx £12k each year, with an additional £2k if you are in London. If you are doing a CASE or Wellcome PhD this can add up to £5k more on top of that.

And me...