This happens to me lots. Sometimes the page just freezes. Found out it always happens if i try to play music (usually at my uni desk to drown out background noise). I just put a little x2 or x3 in the next one i do so when I look back I can see I really did do more.

Commiserations!

Ugh ! I'm onto the really awkward stuff and it's proving exactly as expected. Dragging myself through every tomato, trying to follow a line of enquiry sup suggested but very tempted just to throw all that away and try it my (probably far more difficult) way. Well I'll keep at it for now anyway - perseverance will conquer all! Going to parents for dinner later, will be so nice to have real food. (turkey)

I suppose keeping a saved separate copy of each version could be a good plan? Printing can be very helpful for chopping and re-arranging.

Well at least you're now able to do things your way, that will make the progress a lot faster. All you can do is your best. Keep at it, chill out if you can and all will be well.

Excellent! Welcome back to the wagon - I was off it sick for a while but now I've found a comfy seat and I'm ready for a long ride :-) Enjoy lugging the laptop around - hope it helps you work lots and keep the wordcount ticking over.

As AlgaeQueen suggested I've set out to do 1 task today, something achievable, and planned an appropriate reward. I've somehow finished my task already and about to enjoy my chocolate reward. I thought I'd invite anyone who has made any progress whatsoever on anything today or completed any task to join this positive celebration. Save the doom and gloom for the other threads :-)

Good luck with the reading. Sups can be very pesky.

I have the same problem with my sup not listening to what I say. Sometimes he's honest and says 'sorry I wasn't listening to you at all there'. Very frustrating after spending quite some time explaining something. If I ever want to say something or explain something now I usually resort to email. At least that way he's read the entire piece I wanted to say. Though he often waits til the next meeting to discuss it.

Really hope you figure out a way to make the new framework make sense. Writing nasty letters to methods/theories and papers can be very helpful :)

That is really annoying sneaks. I suppose one of the (rare) advantages to not collecting data for me. Perhaps give it a little break when you get really annoyed at it or write it a nasty letter :) I'm completely on board with this '1-thing' plan for today - especially since it comes with a reward! I'm going to type up my first draft. Or at least half of it anyway. Reward will be a delicious caramel filled chocolate. Can't wait!

I second all said below. Also, if you are doing MSc in the hopes of getting known and proving yourself in this uni then whether you can compete for a phd or not wil be dependent on your performance there more than any previous results. Some fancy UK unis are known to keep only the top one/two of their masters class, although often places are arranged in other unis for the rest of the top students. Be careful about doing the masters if you don't really want to do it, can wreck your motivation. Best of luck with whatever you decide on.

Hi all! Hope everyone is keeping to their goals!

Unlike me!

Ended up being sick most of last week. Still made it in to meet sup but unfortunately that made him think I was well enough to work. Been away from work for 9 days now and finding it really tough to get back into it. Always a big problem for me if I lose momentum. Still working on the
'write things up' part of my previous goals. This week I need to:

Type up the bits I've written.
Write &type the half prepared bits.
Prepare, write and type the really awkward stuff.


That should keep me busy! If I could only get stuck in!

oh what kind squiggles?

Having a rubbish day myself too. Just can't settle down to work. Hope yours has picked up.

As for the new theory: maybe after you've read through and had a look at it you could ask your sup to further justify why she thinks you should rewite it that way. Maybe with more explanation the reasoning will make sense. Ultimately it's your data and hence your choice, allowing for your sup's expertise and experience of course. I sometimes et annoyed at my sup when he wants to do things a different way to me until he explains why and how it will work that way.

You *are* a tough cookie. You always will be too.

Sometimes journals reject things for the strangest reasons or simply because the specific reviewer(s) didn't 'get' or like your piece. It can be very subjective, don't let it get you down.

Sometimes reminding yourself of all the other good things in life helps you gain perspective so you realise the phd is only part of this. "I'm alive" by Kenny Chesney reminded me of this.

Perspective > less panic > relaxing > positive mental state > work more efficiently > better work in less time > success AND sanity!

Hope things pick up soon. hugs.

kitty

I suppose I'll add my tupence worth :-)

I completely agree that you should buy a few good quality items rather than the cheap stuff. It's better for your skin longterm too. Especially for foundation and lipstick.

Remember that makeup does go off, only lasting about 6months- 18months. You can get the most out of it by always using a clean brush (not your finger or direct onto skin/lips) as this minimises the amount of contact with bacteria etc. If you notice your skin getting bad think about how old your makeup is. Eyeshadows usually last longer, for pencils just pare them regularly.

Aloe vera is a miracle cure for skin. It helps damaged, sore, itchy, scarred or sagging skin.

Vaseline for lips comes everywhere with me!

What I use:
Mac for concealer& foundation even though it's a little dark for my ghostly pale skin, as I'm allergic to everything else.
I dust the foundation powder over my eyes so I can wear my favourite bourgeois eyeshadows, also have a few mac ones.
Rimmel mascara or no7.
clarins lipstick/lipsheen.

Rarely do all of the above, usually just a touch of concealer where necessary if I'm at the uni, nothing most days around home. Powder, blusher and mascara if going out. I save the fancy stuff for major events, like the Christmas party.