I have just been on the website of the university where I want to do a PhD and seen a funding opportunity that I want to go for, the whole application has to be in by 8th Feb. So obviously I need to start contacting supervisors, I have identified two professors there who I think I'd like to supervise me, my MSc tutor also recommended them based on what I am interested in, and advised me to contact them in the new year.

I have an idea of the research I want to do, and the methodology I want to use but it is very vague still. I am also still doing my MSc (full time) so unfortunately don't have a grade or any evidence of my progress. I know I've panicked about this on PGF before, but I'm a bit worried about not saying the right thing in the first email, as obviously first impressions count a lot. I'm probably worrying a lot for no real reason, I just really want and need to create a good impression.

Thanks in advance, Natassia x

I would put what it says on the journal website as you are doing, I've also seen 'forthcoming' before, or 'not yet published'. Then put the url and date of access as normal, I guess they wouldn't expect page numbers then.

Eska - he really is such a gorgeous puppy, the prettiest dog I've ever seen - best xmas pressie ever! Very distracting and attention-seeking though, so I try to get loads of work done when he's asleep, its like having a baby in the house!

Whats a whizzo stereo?? Ejc - your e-reader sounds good can you put journal articles (pdfs) from websites on them or just the e-books?

Some of the older members of my family don't really understand what I am doing, but they know its what I want to do so are happy for me, so I just leave it! I just say that I want to be a university lecturer and do my own research, when they ask what the research is for I just say its like being an author for a very specific audience, and they seem fine with that. But then sometimes I get asked why I don't just teach in a school when I want to teach!

My family aren't disparaging about it though, and to be honest I'd be quite upset if they were. We do have some awkward conversations sometimes about where all this studying is actually leading, especially when I tell them how difficult it is to get a permanent job etc, but I think their main concern is that I work too hard and don't get much time to myself!

I got a Yorkshire Terrier puppy - gorgeous but very distracting!! And the usual makeup, perfume etc....nothing really geeky but I have spent some of my Christmas money on some much-needed books.

I'm sorry to hear you're having a tough time - before you seek external help is there a postgraduate coordinator you could speak to? Or do you have a guidance tutor, they should be able to advise you on who you should contact first; from what you have said it sounds like you need to speak to someone who is impartial. Do you know if any other students have had problems with this supervisor?

Hair masks.....I really recommend Kerastase - they aren't cheap but you only have to use them once a week and leave on for 15 minutes. You can only buy them in salons or on the internet, where it might be a bit cheaper but then you have to pay p&p so probably not actually cheaper. For more body use products from the Volumactive range, or if you're actually worried about your hair getting thinner there is a new Stimuliste spray, its about £40 but I've had really good feedback from clients. Redken is a little cheaper and also quite good but I've never used it myself, clients seem to like the Real Control and Extreme range.

In terms of products to make your hair look thicker Paul Mitchell 'thicken up' is good, also Redken velvet gelatine...they're both blow-dry creams.

I like this thread too...nice to chat about something non-stressful sometimes!

Its interesting seeing so many people who haven't ever coloured their hair, sometimes I wish I'd never started as my hair is naturally quite a nice dark blonde, but I started at 14 when I was a Saturday girl at a salon and been colouring it ever since. I used to have long hair till I was about 17 then went to my shoulders, then graduated bob, now its like a long pixie, soft but with quite a strong outline (no spikes!) and I love it! Until quite recently I was a creamy platinum blonde but now decided to go a bit darker as I want to look older and more sophisticated for my PhD interviews (if I get that far!) - I think more of a natural look should do that.

I think that long hair is generally really attractive if its in good condition and trimmed every 6 weeks, but personally I wouldn't grow my hair again, I've tried to and just had it all chopped off again as I can't deal with the in-between stage and I think it suits me better shorter, I'm lucky because I get my hair cut/coloured for free whenever I want!

Thanks for the replies, I am confident that my topic is good and satisfies the assessment criteria - its more of a literature review-type thing so no methodology involved but I have included authors outside of the key reading and attempted to draw links between some different approaches that we haven't covered in the seminars so hopefully the originality is there. My tutor seems to like it if we take a trial and error approach and test ourselves rather than sticking to set arguments for fear of 'getting it wrong' - I think he wants our presentations to provide something to have an interesting discussion about as everyone has 25 mins when the presentations are 10 mins; hopefully mine will do that.

I'll definitely be practising it in front of the mirror, I think it probably helps to reduce self-conscious feelings if you know what you look like when you're presenting! I'm sure my voice will still go all high and quiet when its the real thing but I'm going to try not to talk too quickly, thats my main downfall. Thanks again, Natassia x

Hi Satchi,

I work p/t in a hairdressers as a receptionist so hopefully I can help, without trying to sell you anything! If you have grey hairs appearing the colours you buy over the counter won't really work, at best they will last about 2-3 weeks depending on how often you wash your hair. Also colour takes to grey hair differently than to 'normal' hair so the result might be a bit patchy.

There is a new type of professional colour out called INOA colour, I think its made by L'Oreal and it contains no ammonia, therefore is much better for your hair. I would recommend this to you, especially since you are new to colouring your hair, personally I don't like henna. I don't know what area you are in but there should be a website with salons that have it, most of the chains (Toni&Guy, Headmasters etc) will have INOA now, and they're desparate to start using it on clients so look out for any special offers! Also make sure they give you a skin test first.

I don't want to come across as snobbish by not recommending home colour but the result is so much better with a salon colour, even if you get it done the first time in a salon you could probably follow it up with a home colour (especially if you're dark), just ask your stylist what they recommend.

I like that, sounds very familiar! I think on a good day I am chapter 3 but on a bad day I'm chapter 1 then feel awful for it! I tend to worry a bit more if I'm not in a routine for reasons that I can't control, and of course worrying reduces productivity. I'm beginning to realise that I need routine as well, I have a new diary where I plan what work I am going to do and that is helping a lot. Good luck with getting into university tomorrow!

I have to do my first Masters level presentation next Wed, 10 mins on my own and I'm nervous already. I've nearly finished my slides but it still needs quite a lot of work. I'm not so bothered about my nerves as sometimes theres little I can do to control them, and to be honest I think that if I am confident with my presentation then I will have less to be nervous about, thats how I want it to work anyway!

I don't have a lot of presenting experience (none really on my own) and I am sure that all of you here have more than me, so if anyone is willing to share any advice, things that work for them, or things to avoid doing I'd be really grateful. I want to go on to do a PhD so this will hopefully be the first of many presentations, I want to start as I mean to go on and do well with this one. Its 20% of my module mark so could make a difference.

Thanks in advance, Natassia x

Hi, I'm in the social sciences so can't really give much advice on the maths side of things but this helps for me; if I'm reading about something complex that seems to follow some sort of sequence I draw a little picture/diagram as I am reading so that I get the relationship right, or a shape to show a relationship. Then I might go over it again to make sure I have everything right, then copy it out neatly if I think it will help me remember it. And I make loads of notes to myself in the margins. Subject dictionaries are really useful sometimes as well. I hope that helps, don't want to sound patronising but that works for me, I'm sure someone with a maths background will have better advice!

Hi Helen,

Everyone else has written really long and helpful responses so I don't think I have much to add, just want to say that I am sorry you're going through a tough time - I don't think many people who are outside of studying/academia really understand the emotional investment that goes into a PhD and how that can cause problems - this forum is really helpful in that case as you know you are not alone.

I'm only at masters level at the moment, I have always had terrible issues with anxiety and have had bouts of depression in the past, they seem to be coming back though unfortunately and I'm finding it hard. I really want and need to get myself sorted out before I hopefully start my PhD in Sept, I'm going to have some counselling in the new year and maybe go back on medication and give it another try, it didn't really work before though to be honest.

Good luck, I really hope you start to feel better soon. I would go and see your supervisor again, just so that he/she knows everything that is going on. And try not to compare yourself to other students when it comes to deadlines etc, I know its difficult not to put pressure on yourself but you need to be looking after yourself rather than doing that. Take care, Natassia xx

That makes so much sense - my tutor now said I should speak to them and he knows that university rejected me; I don't think he would have suggested them if he thought I didn't stand a chance. The professor that I'm planning to contact is very well known and I would really like to work with him, its just up to me to show that I am good enough and that my ideas are interesting enough for him to want to supervise me. Its all very early days though, but every PhD student goes through this stage so its nothing new!

My tutor said that I'd be fine doing a PhD if I got a distinction for my Masters so thats what I'm aiming for. I'm really feeling the pressure but I need to get used to that if I'm going to do a PhD - its all part of growing up and realising that only I can control my future; in some ways thats quite difficult to accept but I think I'm ready for it.

Sounds like your PhD is going brilliantly KB - I hope mine is as enjoyable, good luck!!