I got a CASE PhD studentship at a good uni and I've got a 2.2. Although my field is within the social sciences

For my studentship, there were 5 other applicants

Hello!

I've been told to start thinking about an upgrade seminar for next term. Although my supervisor has reassured me that I've got nothing to worry about, I'm starting to panic! Does anyone have any experiences of this? Many thanks for any comments!

First off, if you want to pursue a career in psychology, you will need to get a BPS Graduate in Psychology diploma (check the bps website) before getting onto some MScs and definitely doctorate programmes in clinical/child psychology. You might be able to get onto a psychology MA given your sociology background, but without any background in psychology, I guess it would be pretty tough to cope with a masters level course in psychology (I've got 2 psychology MScs). I think even if you wanted to do a psychology PhD its pretty much essential that you do the graduate diploma and get some relevant experience.
5) When it comes to applying to doctorate programmes such as clinical (which is what im hoping to do) any masters qualification is given credit in the weighting of applicants; although I suspect that more preference would be given to an MSc given its 'scientific' content

This is a bit off the point, but I was thinking about this the other day; the adverse labelling at school. I was always placed in the bottom set at school and was looked down on as someone who was very slow and unintelligent. I don't claim to be intelligent, or particuarly quick, but there low opinion of me hasn't stopped me from getting MSc degrees and a PhD! :D oooo I would LOVE to rub it in my old teachers and people who thought I was thick at school

I got a well paid PhD studentship and I have a 2.2

Much to my annoyance, my bf already calls me Dr! (and im just finishing off my 1st year!)

wow thats harsh :(

Yep. probably me :(

Hiya, does anyone else feel bad when a supervisor completely edits your work?? I've just handed in a sample recruitment letter only to have most of it edited and re written :( Feel a bit deflated! Ok, I've only written a few of these letters, but only for student projects, not for big PhD letters!

Snap dazed and confused :) Its a great feeling isn't it?! Since September, I've kind of been in the dark, the lights seem to be on now :) Lets hope things remain clearer from now on! (wishful thinking me thinks :)

This is a bit random, but I know that I've been posting some negative feelings up on the board (despair, deflation, feeling a fraud) today seems to be a good day! I'm thinking about my Mphil upgrade and just simply working out stuff like ethics and methodology, I seem to have a clearer view of what I want to acheive etc; and how I can apply my interest into qualitative psychology into a primarily social policy phd. All good stuff! I just hope this feeling lasts! :)

Funnily enough, I wasn't CRB checked even when they offered me a PhD working with vulnerable adults. I think I just had to specify whether I had any criminal convictions.

However, I had to complete the CRB forms prior to my pilot study. The department paid for my CRB fees (thank goodness!).

Thank you for your replies! Its a comfort to see that I'm not alone.The competitive nature within the department is a little off putting! I to am not a particuarly competitive; I don't see my PhD and various research projects as the be all and end all (perhaps other people in my department do). In fact, Iam coping with an inner struggle to continue, which is a daily occurance for me. I'm motivated purely because I've an interest in my area and want to develop new skills etc. Some days, I feel like immediately dropping out, other days, I'm super confident and happy with it all. I guess its a case of being a little uncertain as to whether this rollercoaster of emotions is going to continue like this (I think it probably will!) and whether I have the strength in myself to put myself though this! Perhaps its just a case of being in my 1st year, stuck in the office waiting for ethical approval to actually get out there and practice what Im reading and evaluating!

Thanks fluffymonster (great name by the way!)you've described exactly how I'm feeling. Particuarly, when I'm meeting directors and commissioners, most of my time is spent scribbling away and as a result, I end up contributing little or anything to the discussions due to concentrating on getting all of the key points down (which is usually expected of me to take note).