sorry you had a bad day.

if it helps to know you aren't alone, I had one of the most miserables days I've had since I started this PhD and have my 3rd day of fieldwork to do from early morning tomorrow followed by 6 hours of teaching and meeting students on Friday.

And did I also say that on one of my three jobs I do to live, a parcel I sent to Egypt with 40 books in it is lost in a town where it was meant to reach an Internet governance forum but never did.

And that I proved to be incapable of doing a simple google search today for my head was clogged.

So we have these days, and I cant offer any advice except that at least one other person on this forum had a crap day as well :-)

hi

Hmm. you're crying because you got a very high merit?

I've spent my entire life till now being a grade-obsessed Hermione (from Harry Potter) and my PhD has made me realise two things.

First, and this I always knew.. that I am a hard working person with some intelligence to back up the hard work. Yes, I say I knew this, and I am thankful to the powers that be, if any.

Second, and NB this I did *not* know: the above is true is not documented by my grades at all even though that may well seem the case. It is supported by the fact that even if I did not make good grades I'd probably still be a hard working PhD student.

Grades matter *this* much. Belive me. I know spectacular scholars who have not been class toppers. And I know very many class toppers who are very far from spectacular.

And please do believe me when I say this, for till last yr, I worried myself sick to get distinctions, and did get them, but missed the whole point of learning, and education.


Picture yourself 15 yrs down the line, if you're unwilling to picture yourself 15 months down the line. WIll anyone care about if you got a 68 or a 70?

You are not equal to your grades. And a PhD is the time to realise that. that, and many other things :-)

Welcome to academia, and doctoral life.

Ahhrrgh.

These days they hand these out too easily.

These young brats come and prance around a little and people give in to their demands and they wear crowns.

Now, in my days, when hard work no harm meant, we strove. We worked hard, and slaved and toiled to earn every corner of every one of those stars.

I remember, from my early days of 4 stardom, how proud I felt to be one of the only 2 to get four stars, even now, my eyes glisten with tears at the memories...the memories of my blood and sweat which gave my exhausted morale a boost at the end of an epic struggle.

But today's pony-riding, mobile-swishing youngsters, they get what they want.

sigh.

I sometimes make it a point to always 'quote' OP whose posts look like they're authored by trolls. (SOrry Sneaks, I think you said we shouldnt use the wrod troll too much lol)

But if posts are as mad (actually this person's responses were madder) then we forget quoting of course!

Ajyokaum or whatever you are called, you are very sad. We wish you the best.

heeeheee :-):$8-):-x:p

you guys!!! I neevr asked for stars except like once or twice!! ;-)

I am the top star top star top star yeah yeah yeah yeah!!! Woohoooo!!! check the list of stars I'm the top star!!!

hi there

i live in a hall of residence and hence, jump out of bed to hit the wall.

I have never lived in anything except one room ever since I left home at 19, so all I can say is, you'll get used to it. My responses wont be useful as your point really is about making the transtition from independent living in a flat to independent living in a room, and I have only done the latter :-)

i work at school and hardly ever work at home, also I get very depressed lol if I am alone and there's nobody around so i hardly spend any time inside the room except to crash and sleep!

Hi Someone3

Hmm, I think there's a good bit of luck involved in this as it is indeed difficult to guess appropriately for anyone at first sight, really. Stories, you'll find plenty here, often also it's a question of the 'match' between two personalities, not just a good student/supervisor or a bad one.

I will share a very positive account, and I think, many have similar accounts to share, of helpful supervisors, Stressed, Eska, Sue, Rubyw I think being some of these lucky ones :-) You will also find many who have had very difficult times indeed and who are continuing an uphill task, with determination and grit.

My supervisor:

1. Is an international star, immensely recognised in academia, policy and by the public, one of the mosr productive researchers in a frontline university, and yet
2. Incredibly human, down to earth, willing to listen to my stupid stories that range from financial issues to time management to even favourite books and novels :-)
3. Spots out new opportunities for her students all the time- projects, writing, presenting, publishing..
4. Sets an example
5. Recognises tiny little achievements like a class seminar success by making it a point to come up and say 'that was a triumph!'
6. Can say 'never mind, something else will work out for sure' for missed opportunities, and stories of failure
7. Raises the intellectual bar by introducing fresh areas of work that are both relevant to the thesis (hence doesnt lead me on a wild goose chase) but also fresh areas that extend the boundaries of my research interests (hence opening up ideas for my next thing)

ANd of course, sends back drafts to be written for Version 16 (!), for which I am always baring my teeth while writing, and grinning when getting praised when others read the finished piece.

:-)

I am really proud that I got my 4 without asking for them (cranes her neck and looks down at all others around her, and haughtily picks up a book to read, then slips in a pile of pride and has the legendary fall):$

I Sneaks is doing case studies, and cant remember who else but am sure there'll be responses :-)

where's the food and drinks.

4 star people need plenty of comfort.

;-)

Hi guys!

Can anyone tell me if I can use a dongle on my linux dell laptop? It has no CD drive byt he way...

It is a DELL mini and I really need some form of mobile internet access now that I have started fieldwork...

Any ideas wil be delightful. the vodafone dongle is good i think but didnt seem to work on my machine, withou installation...
why on why do i have stupid linux...


any thoughts?

oh sneaks!! I shan't ask what your mum in law said to that ;-) very funnY!

something must be terribly wrong with my vision but I have been unable to see the funny side of any part of this thread till now :-)

But that's entirely personal, I am tremendously attached to my 87 yr old gran who's halfway across the globe, and to my 3 pet dogs (who are my siblings) and I live in a constant fear of getting a midnight phone call from there, after I lost my grandad following a similar phonecall last yr.

So, in all, every story on this thread is leaving me a little upset and I'm not reading it here on..

as i said, entirely my personal problem..