Thank you for the responses - they were along the lines of what I was thinking anyway, to send them something tomorrow then a revised version on Monday. They do know I have to work as well but I would probably be right to keep mention of that to a minimum.

Have a lovely day Dunni and KB! :-)

Good thread Dan - because I am in a similar position!

I have seen this lovely guy three times now - one date and been to his twice. We get on really well and he seems to like me, but this the stage when I get really pathetic and paranoid that he's not into me. For no real reason, and I do it every time. I think it's self-protection, recently I came out of a four-month relationship in which I never once felt secure and I'm scared of being in something like that again. Last week I was round at his and I basically asked him what he wanted from this, as I know I want a relationship rather than just a casual fling, I'm bored of those now. He just said let's carry on enjoying each other's company without too much pressure and get to know each other more, and he said that he wanted to spend the day with me etc. It's hard because he lives 60 miles from me where my uni is and I'm only there twice a week max and only free in the evenings, and he has a 9-5 job. But I'm sure things will get easier if it is meant to be.

Anyway enough about me, I think this is one of the most awkward and difficult conversations to have, personally, so I would try to minimise it a bit. Don't make so much of a big deal about it and if nothing romantically has happened between you, wait for things to happen as they will if they are meant to. I'm sure you're good enough at reading the signs by now. If something has happened maybe make yourself a little more available to him (what a friend told me to do yesterday), like suggest things for the two of you to do together and perhaps reassure him a bit, as he is probably feeling just as apprehensive as you are.

Hope that has helped in some way and good luck. I am also open to suggestions!

Sneaks - to me you seem like that kind of person, don't you walk your dog at 7am or something, then do your RA work, then do your PhD in the evening? I think that's pretty good going!

Good idea for a nice light-hearted thread.

I wish I was good at dancing, specifically ballet. I did ballet for a while when I was very young but gave up to spend more time horse riding instead. Really wish I had stuck with it as it's something I'd love to do in a very little-girl way!

I wish I was good at sewing and being creative in that way so that I could make and customize clothes; a friend of mine is doing a fashion MA and I envy her workroom with all it's glamorous paraphernalia and dressmaker's dummies, it just looks so interesting. But essentially, although I like clothes and looking nice, reading endlessly about fashion bores me so I don't think I'd be very good at it in the long term.

Might add more later...

Hi everyone, I've never asked for an extension before and really don't want to (especially since I'm not that far into my PhD), but I think I might have to this time. I have my proposal review in the middle of May and my supervisors have asked me to come up with a first draft of my proposal and timescale (approx 8000 words) for this Thursday, two weeks after my last supervision.

Unfortunately I have had to work more hours than planned in my PA job due to staff sickness and 1/2 term, giving me less time for my PhD. I've also had a nasty bout of sciatica for the past week so haven't been able to get so much done as my back has been so painful. I just don't want to sound like I'm lazy and I only want until Monday to give it a better shot, I could get it finished for Thursday but it definitely wouldn't be good enough.

My supervisors are lovely and nothing but supportive, I just don't want to piss them off.

Thanks for reading,

Natassia x

That sounds like a great set-up Bug. One of my best friends is an excellent writer and a journalist in Law so I send thing to her quite often, she is really pedantic with grammar and sentence structure which is helpful, even though she doesn't know much about my subject area. There is also a staff member in my department who I am on quite friendly terms with and he reads through my stuff as well and writes really helpful comments.

I am in the social sciences and self-funding. I missed out on a studentship by a year apparently as the year before me was the last with studentships available, and I was told I could have any money that became available. I think that in the years to come self-funding will be more common, particularly in the arts, social sciences and humanities.

It shouldn't be the issue that it is; when I first mentioned on here that I was self-funding a few people questioned my ability to do a PhD through suggesting that my university only wanted me for my money and that is the reason I got in, but that is not the case. Those who self-fund shouldn't be prejudged as belonging to a minority who wouldn't be doing PhDs if they didn't have money, I'm sorry if I come across as having a chip on my shoulder but this is an issue that affects me sometimes.

Well done PP - it sounds like it couldn't really have gone any better for you! I remember when I got offered a place for my PhD, it really is one of the best feelings ever, a lovely mix of excitement and relief! Would you be starting in September? Good luck with the funding application, I really don't think they would be putting you forward for it if they didn't think you had a chance.

I am really busy but, like you, I didn't want it to drag on and neither did my parents, which is why they are helping me out a bit financially. It is hard though, especially at the moment when I have a deadline at the end of this week and have to work full time at the clinic because it's 1/2 term...c'est la vie I suppose. I still manage to have a bit of a social life and I have my horse, which is really good for my sanity!

Thanks for replying Sneaks,

I'm using Google Chrome.I can't even see a way of getting the text in a PDF format...will have another look.

I don't usually use Google Scholar but have added some texts to my library that I have been unable to find elsewhere so I think I might find it useful. However, I don't really like reading things off the screen and it doesn't look like I can print anything either - am I missing something or is there no way of printing anything or saving it to my PC?

Thanks, Nx

I don't usually use Google Scholar but have added some texts to my library that I have been unable to find elsewhere so I think I might find it useful. However, I don't really like reading things off the screen and it doesn't look like I can print anything either - am I missing something or is there no way of printing anything or saving it to my PC?

Thanks, Nx

I just checked out Hungryhouse.com as I hadn't heard of it - looks good, hope you've ordered something nice!

Not too personal at all, my first year fees are being funded with some inheritance, and I still live at home so don't pay rent at the moment. I really want to move out but I have a horse as well so I can't afford it. I do my PhD full time and also work approx. 20 hours a week as a PA in a private physiotherapy clinic to cover living expenses. My parents help me out when I need them to, although I really don't like to ask them for money. I also do a few hours of private A-level tuition a week but that has stopped for a few weeks as the girls are having a break as they have just had exams. Being honest, I would love to be able to do my PhD 9-5 but with my other work I can't. It is a real struggle and it is early days at the moment, but I think I am coping ok. I should be teaching at uni from October onwards and that pays quite well so hopefully I'll be able to give up working at the clinic then. At the moment I spend 2 days a week working from my little desk at uni and the rest of the time working from home.

So are you thinking of doing your PhD part time then? Being sensible, I should probably be doing that...

Nx

Hi Prettypollicy - congratulations on finishing and passing your Masters, I got a merit in mine at the beginning of this year and was so relieved as like you I had been working full-time when writing up my dissertation and it certainly wasn't easy!

I have just started my PhD but didn't apply for ESRC funding as I didn't think I had a chance due to my research area and department, so I can only offer limited advice. Although I am in the social sciences I had a look on their website and my topic isn't something they are particularly interested in. Also I am at an ex-poly and although my three supervisors have excellent reputations, the ESRC probably wouldn't see past that. There is a staff member in my department who used to be on the deciding panel for the ESRC who told me this when I was applying for PhDs during my MSc, and I got a first in my BA.

So basically what I am trying to say is that the ESRC appear to take the university you are at and your supervisors into quite high consideration. If you were/are at Oxbridge that should stand you in good stead. Your potential supervisors will obviously be able to tell you more tomorrow but I don't think they would be offering to meet you and discuss your proposal if they didn't think you had a chance of getting a place and/or funding. I also suspect that the greater the reputation of the supervisor, they greater the influence they will have over the ESRC's decision.

I hope that helps in some way and good luck in your meeting tomorrow.

Nx

I would like to debate Olivia, though my arguing skills aren't great according I to CC, who now calls me Nastiassia or something like that.

I finished reading and summarizing the chapter and installed my new printer so quite a productive evening I suppose. Bed now, spending all day at uni tomorrow which is much nicer than working in the evening!

Good luck with your workload Sneaks, hope you're finished for the evening now.