I have been bereaved recently and have been really touched by all the sympathy cards, letters, emails etc. that my family and I have received from people, I think at times like this you don't expect to receive anything although it is tradition, for that reason I think he will be touched rather than think it is innapropriate. I do think that the death of a child is more sensitive than other bereavements in some respects, but I would send a card to him and his family, he will appreciate the thought.

I can really sympathise with you, I have a wisdom tooth coming through at the moment and its so sore, I don't think there's enough space for it either and its making my throat and ear painful too. I've just been taking 2 ibuprofen every 4 hours and that seems to take the edge off it, I also have something that tastes very alcoholic in a tiny bottle from Boots, can't remember what its called but I apply it every few hours and that numbs it a bit. Hope your teeth feel better soon!

This is really interesting - reading how people interpret others, just based on their posts!

Eska - you did quite well actually! I have blonde hair but in a shortish pixie style, used to be a creamy platinum but I've toned it down a bit recently as I want to look more sophisticated now I'm a grown up postgrad! The horseriding outfits don't leave the stables, usually I dress quite nicely for uni so I feel more confident with what I'm saying in seminars...I can be a bit prissy sometimes and I seem to be the only one who wears makeup to uni. I also feel unkempt if I haven't got nail varnish on. The academics at my university are generally quite young and not too stuffy so I don't experience that side of academia very often, although I can get a bit narky with their scattiness sometimes I really appreciate that they love their subjects and they live them, if that makes sense. I hope people in the 'real world' think I'm savvy and cool though!

Eska - I imagine you as being very into your vintage clothes and a lover of dramatic accessories, and able to throw things together in a way that just goes really well. I think you could be quite intimidating to your younger students sometimes without intending to be, I imagine you with long, dark wavy hair that you wear down most of the time.


Keenbean I imagine as a brunette who comes across as very capable and ahead of her game, I think she would dress quite casually most of the time but then really smart for conferences etc.

Oh no, thats awful. I know its easy for me to say this but try not to dwell on it too much, tomorrow is another day and hopefully you will be able to rectify it. Also try to think that everything happens for a reason, I'm a great believer in fate although that might not be very helpful.

I exercise every day as I have a horse on DIY livery, meaning that I look after him myself. He is expensive to keep and it can be hard when it comes to time management as I have to attend to him in the morning and evening, but he is definitely worth it. In terms of exercise mucking his stable out etc seems to have toned my arms really well and I try to ride him 5/6 days a week although I don't have time to compete any more, I like to keep him fit, and it keeps me fit; getting out in the fresh air every day definitely gives my cheeks a rosy glow as well!

I'm not advising you to go out and buy yourself a horse, but I think doing something outside would really help, like mountain biking or running. I'd really like to get into running, I've heard that its really beneficial in terms of fitness and psychological wellbeing.

I can get the second one via my university's subscription, don't know how I could pm it but I could email you it as an attachment?

Your history and film PhDs sound absolutely fascinating, I never really got into history at school so have never studied it, but its interesting how you are able to show your own perspectives on things, to an extent.

I'm in the social sciences and feel like this as well sometimes when it comes to criticizing theories, I'm not at a very high level yet but I do wonder where my thoughts are coming from, generally we have to be reflexive as researchers so I guess it comes into that. I often think about how and why theoretical shifts occur though and what influences the key thinkers.

I confess to loving rubbish tv - at the moment I like the 'documentaries' about Jordan/Katie Price even though I'm not much of a fan any more; also Come dine with me, Relocation Relocation, anything lifestyle-y really!

Hi Charlie, would it be possible for you to email/go to see one of your previous undergraduate tutors? I think they will be able to help you best as they know your work and will need to write your references; I think if you are honest with them about the personal problems you had during your undergraduate course they should support your application, as they know what you are really capable of. They will also help you with your personal statement and suggest different places were you could apply.

When it comes to writing your statement, I think its a good idea to try to tailor what you are writing to the department you are applying to, for example your research interests. That way they can tell that you have researched the course proplerly. Also mention why you want to do a Masters level course and what you want to get out of it, as well as the type of career you have in mind. Make a special point of your work experience, that will really help you - however try not to use it as an obvious 'fix' for your undergraduate degree, if that makes sense. You come across as being really enthusiatic and motivated to do a Masters course, that is what they are looking for. Good luck, Natassia

I also like Lenora and Ionna...like names that end in an 'a' sound but don't really like Isabella or Olivia - to me they're 'spoilt brat' names!

Hi, I was an undergrad myself until June last year, although we've probably all been undergrads taught by PhD students, I hope I can offer some advice as I'm still being taught. I can totally understand why you are nervous and I'm sure I will be if/when I start teaching undergrad classes. But they are probably more nervous of you, you are the one with the knowledge and the control of the situation, who is teaching them. You are the one who marks their coursework and judges their progress, therefore they should be trying to impress you. I used to be nervous of all my tutors, as well as the teaching assistants when I was an undergrad (and still now sometimes!) in case I said something wrong. I don't know if you were the same but try thinking back to when you were an undergraduate student. If they are a decent group of people, they will not be judging you, they probably haven't even noticed your nerves. I hope that helped and it went well this afternoon. Nx

Congratulations for the triplets, its lovely that you get to name one. I like names spelt unusually as well but in a classy way (not like Kaycee for Kacey etc!), like my name is pronounced Natasha. I also think its nice to have a family name as a middle name.

I quite like Carina, Amelia, Tara....also some celebrity ones that are quite nice are Coco (Chanel), Lila and Luna.

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Good luck Moomin - will be thinking of you on Thursday! Nx

I'll have a look, but what does AAOHN stand for?

I think that if you are genuinely concerned about the suitability of the examiner, and that its more than nerves, mention it to your supervisor. Obviously your supervisor wants you to pass so he would have chosen someone who he thought would pass you, I think it shows that he thinks a lot of your work to have someone prestigious examining it.

I've had to speak to some scary well known academics before (although not in a viva situation!) and they have always been nicer than I assumed they would be. I think ultimately they want you to pass your viva, try not to let his reputation come before him if that makes sense.