I think it's always helpful to take minutes anyway. If not for any reason other than my memory is like a sieve!
I file emails/other correspondence too, more so I have things to hand then any other reason. If the emails are still upsetting you it might be worth printing out the latest, putting them in a folder and writing in very BIG WRITING email/correspondence folder. Pull it out with your other stuff when you have your meeting (you don't even need to draw attention to it). You might be surprised by how people (in general) start to be a bit more cautious once they realise what they've written is in print.

Lara - well done I'm really pleased you're getting things sorted!
Swantje - UCL is a great place; good luck!

None of what I wrote?

Counselling is confidential and you DO NOT need to advise your tutor -- they won't.
I think people need to make the best of such provision.

I have sobbed my eyes out at a counselling sesh before!!
Nothing to be ashamed of, and is probably the best place to do it (beats doing it in front of your sup, right?).
I'm glad you've taken this positive action!
xxx

Oh and one last thing. Three months is a hell of a long time without treats for short-term goals. Try to stop it looking like a monolithic block of time and do some fun things, even if they are just twenty minutes at the end of the day.
In term time I find I can only read childrens' books!!! (which I'm sure will provide many opportunities for ridicule...) But thirty pages of Horowitz's Alex Rider books has helped me get through the last year no ends!

I just didn't want it to be taken in the same vein.... from (very personal) experience I just think that some people find (as I have in the past) that a little extra help/ someone outside to talk to face-to-face can help. Essentially it's going to be a case of working through the bad days (as I'm sure you're oh so aware!) and if this forum provides an outlet for that, than that's as good a support as ever. Providing others try to be objective and supportive.

Sorry that was harsh, it's just that these things are pretty standard, perhaps people could be more constructive if you try to write a plan of what to say and post it up. that way it's easier to make suggestions....

I've just re-read my post, and I'm sorry if it does sound a bit harsh........
I agree that people do get frightened of emotions, but right now Lara needs to find an outlet for them that enables her to get her thesis done, I wasn't suggesting she supress them altogether.

Try to get your plan written as clearly as possible, arrange a specific date next week to see your supervisor to discuss it rather than being fobbed off with 'i'm too busy i'm writing a grant application right now'. Get yourself a cup of coffee, or go for a walk for five minutes. And try and get back down to it.
I feel for you, I really do, and hope this doesn't come across too harshly.

Lara, Lara, Lara......
First and foremost, I think you need to think about how you're at an emotionally stressful stage and that you might, to some extent, be over-reacting (albeit understandably) to your supervisor's response. He is not being emotionally supportive, but then again supervisors are not trained counsellors.
Try to take the emotion out of the plan you write, however hard this might be. Keep your graduate office updated at every stage. Is there anyone else in your department who might be prepared to step in and help, or is it your sup or noone?
I'm sure you're capable, you've written these papers after all, it must just be very demoralizing. I suggest you might want to think about signing up to your university's counselling service tho', for two reasons: 1. if you don't submit on time it gives you back up, 2. it might help you think more positively through this difficult time.

It's rather concerning that you don't seem to know what to do here.
I'd follow the standard format I'd use for any grant applications....
What's special about your planned research and its research context (think dissertation)?
Why York?
What do you intend to do afterwards and where does this fit into your plans?
Such awards tend not to be means tested so there's bugger all point mentioning your existing student debt (join the club...)
x

golfpro lol!
I've been thinking the same for the past few days....the fact is this person has obviously had huge problems with their Masters and would maybe progress further in academia if they concentrated a bit harder on what they were doing, rather than make post after post of nonsensical/ samey questions.

I met my husband this way.....
Tho' I'd advise being v careful and we didn't get 'close' before 'dating' in real life, which I think is the best way. Emotional investment in people you really don't know can be v damaging...

I realise this is related to a number of ongoing topics, but I wonder if any of you have had an experience of a tutor who has been completely unwilling to accept that you are bright enough to 'get on' in Academia.
I was doing a Masters at the top anthropology department in the country at which I didn't get on very well, but when I went to my tutor to help she insisted that I 'give up' on trying to 'get' certain topics. At the end of this course I applied for another (my grades weren't sufficient to get me PhD funding).... and was advised to 'do something more practical' and that 'if you struggle by Christmas, quit'.
I've had completely the opposite experience this year, have a PhD place and grades that I'm more than happy with (top in class). The other Institution is in a slightly different (but related) discipline, and the best department in the country for this discipline.....
I'm now concerned that I might come across a tutor of Type 1 in my PhD though........
Any similar experiences?