Someone3 - I'm probably being really stupid here but what actually happened with your supervisor, did he know you fancied him and that was it?

I am doing a MSc in a sociology based subject, I don't think where you are matters too much when it comes to postgraduate level, the academics teaching there are more important as they determine how good the sociology department is. Do you have any specific research interests yet, or do you know whose work you like and want to learn more about?

I can only really recommend London universities but having read your other post it looks like you want to stay out of London. I think Loughborough might be good as well. To be honest, I wouldn't really rate Oxbridge for sociology, I think the newer universities are better when it comes to pushing the discipline forward.

I don't want to sound patronising but are you sure you're actually totally in love with him, or could it just be a respect/power/admiration-type crush thats gone overboard? How did you feel when you first met him?

I've never been in this situation myself but I would imagine its very difficult, I definitely wouldn't try to change supervisor though, like you said it would be an injustice to him and I think to you as well, you have the opportunity to get a PhD which you've worked hard for, you're working now, do you really want to potentially give all that up for the sake of a crush? I would be very wary of telling anyone, its not really a good reason for changing supervisor in my opinion and I think you would end up feeling humiliated.

I think your feelings will probably change over time as well, we all go through phases of fancying people and then wonder what we saw in them. Like others have said, try to get into a new relationship that will take your mind off him!

Like you, I love reading it but I am less confident at writing it - I haven't yet got to the stage to be writing papers but I have had to be reflexive about how my personal standpoint has affected the way I have carried out some research and the findings (discourse analysis) and I really enjoy it. I don't generally use anecdotes or mention specific experiences very much, but more a general feeling about the topic area, what attracted me to it and how that increased my sensitivity to specific matters. I've also said how the research had made me feel, ie. what I had personally gained from it. I think personal experiences are good, if you see a clear link between your experience and the subject matter then go for it, would you feel better if you anonymised (sp?) it in some way?

Thanks for the reply - I'm definitely going to start using Endnote - I can get a cheaper version somehow through my university library so will look into it. It'll take ages for me to put the papers I already have onto it though! I think the only reason I'm hesitating is that I haven't sorted out a PhD yet and I know its primarily for PhD students, but then I am doing a theoretical MSc dissertation so will have loads of references to sort out then.

Thats ok, its nice to have someone to 'talk' to, it is lonely working at night and I only do it the night before a deadline when I'm panicking, I wish this was just a draft but its being assessed so has to be as good as I can make it! Hopefully bed by 3am, I'm exhausted. Had to do an assessed presentation this morning which I'm not happy with but need to put that behind me now. Well done though - keep going!!

Hi Florence, I'm here as well, faffing around with an essay on qualitative research methods due in tomorrow (MSc), deleted bits now have 200 words left to fill...I'm not happy with it but not giving up! I had this finished ages ago but I'm being a perfectionist as usual.

I've been through a tough time too lately, I could have probably got an extension for this one but decided not to, good luck and well done for your progress, you deserve a lovely day off tomorrow after this! Nx

Hi Ian - I'm doing a MSc in a sociology/based subject (with psychology) and like others have said it is very difficult to get funding, the ones I've seen tend to be for international students or the odd student who is really good at a specific sport, that kind of thing. The other bank that does CDLs is the RBS, I didn't get approved for one though.

As for universities, it depends where you want to go really. If you're in London I would recommend Goldsmiths or LSE - it depends on what your specific interests are as well.

I'm only at Masters level so I'm not in a position to help with viva preparation or PhD data analysis, I just wanted to express my sympathy, what you're going through must be really difficult. From reading your other topic as well I think you need to approach your supervisor and tell them that you are depressed if you haven't already.

I also think you need to tactfully mention what you have said, that you don't want to be the subject of malicious department gossip, especially before your viva - she should be supporting you at this time and helping you to iron out the problems with your analysis before the viva rather than telling everyone what was wrong with it; to be honest, without knowing the actual circumstances, I think she is being rather unprofessional.

And I wouldn't bother helping the other student with her data collection, let her ask someone else, she doesn't deserve your time.

I really hope things work out for you though, take care Nx

I'm only a Masters student, but hoping to start a PhD this year. We were told about endnote in a libabry induction session at the beginning of term but I don't think anyone is actually using it. I do have a rapidly expanding collection of research papers and journal articles that I use across modules, and I have kept some from my UG studies that I think are still useful.

I don't want to come across as totally ignorant but what does Endnote actually do? Does it help you to manage and remember what you have or is it just for referencing? Also did anyone use it at Masters level? Any Endnote advice would be appreciated, thanks, Nx

Have another virtual hug, I agree with Teek I would try and get an extension although I know its difficult to ask for; I'm in a similar position myself at the moment. Just another week might make all the difference, if you're health is suffering that shows that you need the pressure taken off you for a while. Does your supervisor know whats going on?

Hi, I am also doing a full time MSc and its hard work - I absolutely love the subject and want to have a career in it, although that motivates me it doesn't distract from the fact that most of the time I am tearing my hair out due to the challenges it presents. I'm going through a really busy time at the moment with lots of deadlines (I should imagine you are too) and getting through it but sometimes I feel like I am at the bottom of a mountain. It is a very emotionally draining process, but I think that also shows that you care about your course.

I do feel like it should be constant work and to an extent I was quite prepared for it before starting the course, but you never really know until you do it. Most of the time I thrive on constant work although it does get a bit too much at times. I think the main problem is the timescale. A year is really not a long time to do everything in, and you are reminded about that from the beginning which makes it even more daunting.

Try not to compare yourself to others so much, believe me I know how difficult that is. I have to work part time to live, a friend on my course doesn't and I have to admit to feeling pangs of jealousy sometimes because she has more time than I do for the course. I have hardly any time to see friends anymore or have a relationship because of my course, job and horse; most of the time I am basically happy and I enjoy each of those things, but I do feel torn sometimes and then I feel guilty which is quite upsetting.

I hope that makes some sense and helps, take care, Nx

If you're using constructionism as an epistemology, why have you chosen to do that, is it due to the type of people you are researching, do they belong to a marginalized group, for example? Also, your supervisor may want you to discuss why you are using NVivo to help you manage your data as the use of computer software can be a bit contentious, as it increases the distance between the researcher and the researched. I hope that makes sense and is useful.

And I admire anyone that can understand NVivo, I had a methods training class on it the other day and wanted to tear my hair out, its so confusing! But I don't really use grounded theory so probably won't use it again, good luck though!

I've done 7 now and thats since 3pm - I'm quite pleased with that as I've been feeling really down at the moment. Love it, did feel a bit silly at first if I'm being honest but I've been more productive and my concentration has improved. I've even found myself getting a bit competitive with it and trying to fit as much into one as I possibly can - is this normal?! Its made me feel a bit happier though, and I needed that today.

I've just started using it today after reading this, and having a horribly emotional morning. I've done 5 so far and the time seems to have gone so quickly, but I'm really pleased with what I've done, managed 1200 words and I don't think they're too bad. Thanks for recommending it!