Ah yes, for your proposal you do need to have a question. But it's a matter of getting a foot in the door. Just be aware that your research question will most definitely change over time. What I am working on now is very different to what I said I would be working on in both my funding and PhD applications. The thing is, it is almost impossible to know the question that intrigues you, that is meaty enough to sustain you for upwards of three years, and that is likely to produce original insights at this very early stage because, by nature, that's something that gets worked out in the process of researching. You have the broad frameork so maybe look at what's been done recently, consider the directions that new work points in and formulate a list of questions/queries about these directions. Allow your own curiosity to guide you. Good luck

Orian, I did not mean to devalue doctoral study but I think a little humility is needed here. This notion that we are 'entitled' to jobs, because we will hold PhDs, above others who have also produced substantial work and from whom students can benefit, and the additional notion that the latter should not be allowed to 'take jobs away from us', sounds a little spoiled to me.

I think your question shows some narrow-mindedness and pitifull, naive resentment. It is a great honour for Manchester Uni to have Amis as a professor. Try to think outside the box and ask yourself honestly, who do you think will be remembered by posterity for having contributed to the culture and identity of the country? All of the many thousands with doctorates? Or a celebrated and talented writer? No doubt Amis's lectures and teachings on creative writing will go down in history. Who do you think will be reading our theses in 10 years time?

Lara, it's been so encouraging reading your thread (and Jojo's as well). This forum has been a life saver for me in terms of letting me know that I'm not alone. There is a real sense of community, especially with those who are in the end stages! Good luck, keep going and know that we are reading this willing you (and ourselves) to succeed

I'm just interested to know what people think of this or if anybody has positive/negative experiences to share. I find it extrememly difficult to meet nice people whom I've got something in common with in bars and of course doing a PhD can be isolating, but I've always just thought the internet dating thing was not for me. I'm not interested in having an email relationship but I've started recently to come around to the idea that maybe it's not such a bad arena in which to (forgive me!) cut through all the dross. What do others think?

Sorry, I've just realized my blunder and that perhaps me looking forward to a pint on Friday is not really what you want to hear All I meant was that given the nature of what we are doing, socializing to some extent is not a luxury but a neccessity and it pays off to economize on other things to allow yourself one small treat now and then. But of course I don't know if you're in a position to allow yourself this. It's a tough one... if only people were more understanding

I read in the paper the other day that money 'is going out of fashion'!Ah, there's hope for us yet. I love it when I go a few days without spending any money at all- not of course in any tight or mean way- it's just that I resent the fact that it is assumed that any mundane daily activity will require spending. It really helps with budgeting to do this for a couple or a few days of the week. I do feel quite isolated if I stay at home though, so instead I bring in food for lunch and snacks and there is a kettle in the dept common room (I have a store of coffee there). In the summer it's great because you can meet friends and have your packed lunch together outside. If I manage not to spend unnecessasrily during the week I really look forward to meeting non-academic friends for a lovely pint on a Friday after they all finish work

That's great to hear Olivia. Milk it for all you can while your in the mood!

Don't feel embarrassed. I think it's a great compliment that your supervisors see the value of your research questions- many people spend ages trying to come up with valuable, interesting and original questions. Try your best to defend yourself well tomorrow. Take a break. Then, if you want this, do what it takes to produce work you are happy with (you said you were dissatisfied yourself), even if it means sacrificing other time-consuming activities (I mean working activities- don't compromise on social outlet, it's ESSENTIAL). Don't make yourself ill with worry- you can manage this. We are all behind you (faceless but well-wishing)

Pineapple, you say you feel 'ashamed' and 'embarrassed' and I think everybody here will have an accute sense of what you are going through, simply by your use of these words. Most of us will also have experienced this utterly horrible feeling at some point in relation to our work. I remember you now- you went through a bad breakup a while back didn't you? It's so hard to put the best of yourself into your work when there is commotion in your private life and not enough hours in the day to get everything done.

Oh pineapple, I'm really sorry to hear that I can imagine how you are feeling right now. This might last a few days, maybe a little longer. After that I hope you will get back your determination and work towards September. Was the criticism constructive? They must have given you something to build on if you're being asked to resubmit. Allow yourself some induldent time to think things over, then go for it with a passion!!!

This week?? How about for the last year, give or take a few days here and there! I know time is of the essence now but no matter how much I try to scare myself into working entire days and weeks seem to get washed down the drain, taken up by surfing the net, email and staring blankly at a document all day without so much as adding a comma. I feel I need a personal mentor or one of those grueling American sports trainers to stand behind me all day, threatening me into doing what I just can't find the motivation to do myself- sit down and WRITE

Olivia, I feel just like you and periodically these doubts about an academic life really submerge me. I think for me it is a case of doing the second best thing I would love to do with the aim of geting to my first love THROUGH this track. You've said a few times that you dream of writing a novel. No doubt you've put a great deal into your PhD already. Finishing it does not mean you have to be 'trapped' in academia. You could do it for a while...or not at all... Recently I read an old interview with Vladimir Nabokov. His response to one particular question might be of interest to you. The interviewer points out that many writers know no other alternative than a life on campus and asks whether N thinks that an academic and literary career can nourish one another. He replies: 'An academic career is especially helpful to writers in two ways: 1. easy access to magnificent libraries and 2) long vacations.'

Hi Jola, I just read your blog. It really put a smile on my face. I can completely identify with you. Keep it up! It's great to have a choice of procrastinating activities

Hi Argh, hmmm, it feels strange to call someone by a name that is more of an angst-noise. Firstly, you will never feel that you are 'doing enough' so I think that on a certain level you just have to accept that. I think if you are trying to get a handle on your literature review you are doing pretty well. This is the year to read read read. And of course you can read 'critically' right from the beginning. You'll probably find that your critical faculty will improve as you become comfortable with a broader mass of material. If you can start to draw up a broad overview for your thesis soon this will definitely help for the months and years ahead, and it can always be modified as you go along. Try not to worry, allow youself to get to grips with your material and your project and enjoy your first year