I would say that you might have good grounds for re-submission and the viva postponed. Depression is an illness and would certainly result in your work not being 100%. I used to suffer from bouts of depressions, once during important exams, and I know what it is like - Your concentration just leaves and any task (academic or otherwise) seems impossible and is half-hearted. If I was you, I would sit down together with your supervisor, HOD and postgraduate dean (if your university has one) and explain the situation. No one could expect you to submit a perfect thesis when you are you suffering mentally.

Good luck my dear xx

Did your supervisor check over the results? Had he/she given you the green light to submit? xx

Beginning to see why I've reached overload :p Ye guys have much more distance than me alright!

Ahh, this coffee break thing is.. Most of the PhD's stopped going for a few weeks and we all got sent an email saying that we more or less expected to go to be sociable! Academics do seem to like to chat over coffee.. :-)

I swear by L'oreal Castings - smells gorgeous and I love the colours. I've used a few, right now I'm Dark Chocolate and I love it - really, really deep brown. And it's the non-messiest dye ever! I never get mine dyed professionally.. scared of it coming out horrible for that money!

======= Date Modified 09 13 2010 21:13:39 =======
Just wondering how often do you guys tend to see your supervisor - planned or otherwise? My department likes the PhDs to be sociable by going for the daily half-hour coffee break, meaning that I see/chat to my supervisor nearly everyday. Our offices are also very close, so we also bump into each other a lot, which usually results in chit-chat because he's very friendly! One top of that, I have between 2-3 hours of supervisory meetings a month.. He is amazing and we get on very well, but it's a bit of an overload! :p Ye guys the same or do you have/keep some distance?

Hi Natassia,

Practise, practise, practise! Bring in short notes with you - I tend to avoid typing out realms of material to read off, instead I bring in some bullet pointed notes, which are easy to converse once you have practised. Also, it's generic advice, but make lots of eye contact if you can.

Be very clear and precise about your methodologies and theoretical framework throughout, especially if you're in the social sciences / humanities. It tends to form the basis of a lot of the questions afterwards and can be tricky if you aren't 100% on what you're planning to do.. Also make sure that you have thoroughly reviewed the relevant literature - looks impressive if you can discuss certain key authors in detail.

Lastly, bring water and don't be too shy to drink it!

Good luck - you'll be fine. Thinking about it is the worst part!

Claire:-)

======= Date Modified 12 Mar 2010 08:39:39 =======
I was going to apply to Bristol or Sheffield University but was offered funding at home so that changed my mind. I've heard of a few people that went to the UK - a friend of mine is actually in the middle of applying for a PhD there. It seems common enough, especially if you're lucky enough to attain funding from the university. I know that a few UK universities have scholarships available for foreign students. Check the websites or ring up the fees office or postgraduate office and enquire, can't hurt!

As for contacting academics - If you have any sort of idea in mind at all, and know of a scholar in the area, I would send them a polite e-mail outlining it and to see if they would have an interest in talking to you over the phone/in person and coming up with some kind of proposal. If not, they might be able to point you into the direction of someone more suitable. I was talking to my supervisor one day and he said that most academics are flattered that someone is that interested in working with them! If you're a bit shy, try ringing the departmental office and see what the usual procedure is for contacting prospective supervisors. I know that in my department it is just a matter of sending an e-mail / letter.

Also, keep an eye on www.jobs.ac.uk. It's updated regularly and advertises a lot of PhD studentships / funded projects.

Good luck! :)

Claire

I wanted to be a model until I realised that I was teensy-tiny and that you had to be a giant! :$ Then a hairdresser, a fashion designer, fashion buyer.. A social worker in school, a secondary teacher when I started uni.. now a lecturer / researcher. What a change! :p

Thanks guys :)

Just found out about another two conferences - one in which I have to present the paper myself - I think a pencil skirt shopping day is in order :)

======= Date Modified 09 Apr 2010 17:02:15 =======
Geography.. hmm, weird?

Thanks guys :-)

I was thinking about wearing a nice pencil skirt with a shirt or a tee and cardie, or maybe a smart dress and small(ish) heels - didn't know if I would be too dressed up or not!

This thread has probably been posted before but I'm new and couldn't find one!

For all you more experienced female researchers - what do women normally wear to present at an academic conference? I'm in the first year of my PhD and my supervisor (a man so can't dare ask him!) has suggested giving a co-paper at an important conference next year. I'm very excited - All the major scholars in my field will be there and I want to make a good impression. I probably should be worried about the paper itself but I'm a typical woman! Are they very dressy affairs or is a 'smart-casual' look more appropriate? Also, what do you guys think is appropriate to wear to the conference dinner that night, the same kind of conservative thing or do women tend go all out at these things? Thanks, I havn't a clue!

Claire :$