Hi Luis,

just filled in your questionnaire. Interesting how you have done this. Did you develop this yourself?

Hi Pichu Flower,

Sorry to hear that you are so bored. Have you not got other options, maybe to do something aside of the PhD?

I work and do the research, but get bored from the waiting and the lack of progress. For example today I had a message that there are some changes to my research proposal, which is OK and I will work on that, yet the supervisor is now away until end of August, as a result obviously a lot of delay. I hate just waiting, I want things to move on!

Hi 404,

yet I understand that it has been published (that was how you were aware of the paper in the first place) and there were only minor corrections. So the reference can be related to the offical publication (unless obviously you would be referring to the minor corrections)Or is this me being dull?

mine is quite innocent: I would like 3 months of travelling discovering unexplored landscapes, meeting interesting people, drink wine nearby a campfire, listen to some relaxing music, have some good food etc. Most importantly to be away from writing, paperwork, waiting for responses, searching literature etc. Be away from the academic world!

Well done Jojo,

and good to see to see that you encourage the others to persevere!

Hi driven2insanity,

well done! Very good! Yo must be proud on yourself and celebrate it!

Well, pineapple,

not an easy one to solve.

Be aware that success often not based on performance (like the amount of effort you put into something) but more on how it is presented. Hence that managers are often very good in finding information and managing it, but not intellectually brilliant

Assuming that you cannot change the other person at your work it may be an idea to look at assertiveness yourself. One can do courses in this area in which you learn that you have the same rights as others and your points are as valid as the other persons. It is not easy to change behaviour, will take years, yet working on it can be very beneficial and helpful to move on in your career

Hi sourapple,

you are obviously right that people may be very pleasant and kind at first, yet when you actually wortk with them is can be awful. On the other hand if you immediately (or relatively quickly) have the impression that things will not work, in my opinion best not to embark on it. I am aware this is not always easy or possible

Hi 404

sorry the hear that regarding your interview. Must be upsetting.
However like you indicate yourself already try and see it in a positive way, it is a good experience and you wil get more chances, and then you would know better how things work. This again will make that you have more chance of success and will do well

Hi Birdsandbees,

sorry to hear that you are feeling so tired, must be difficult to manage your research.
In my opinion tiredness is a difficult symptom. There can be a great many causes both physically and psycologically. Normally the clinical history, physical examination and bloodtests are required to come to a diagnosis. If no major physical cause is found then an emotional issue is more likely and treatment would be to address this. This could mean anti-depressants if depressed, sometimes rest for some time etc. In general it is important to look after yourself; the PhD should not be the most important thing in your life (my opinion) and one should allocate time for sports, keeping in contact with friends etc. Hope this may help

Hi,

agree with Ann. Also important is to try and be there first to check whether everything is working and to make you feel more comfortable with the setting. Nothing worse as starting powerpoint,then finding out that equipment is not working! (Always good to have a back up plan, few paper prints or hand outs etc. just in case problems with electronics).

Good luck!

Hi 404,

well done regarding getting the interview and perhaps you should reward yourself just for that; buy yourself a present, go for dinner, a day away etc. This may make the waiting a bit easier

Hi Shanghaichica,

Maybe look at it the other way round; If you superviser and you really do not get along (clash of personalities) it will be very difficult to do any research even if the subject is very interesting and you are going towards a few (several) unpleasant years ahead. In my opinion things should go hand in hand: thus you should have a supervisor who is OK and and a subject which is OK, not more nor less. Before starting anything you could discuss the research proposal, see how the supervisor is like. Do not close down to quickly, if you really don't not like him or her maybe better to orientate somewhere else, obviously if possible

Hi 404,

thanks that is very useful. I wished I had seen this before, as had to find a lot of information regarding research in statistics books, quite tedious.

Are you in Bath? Is it good to study there?

I am afraid that I do not know websites like that. Obviously you know Athens. Cannot think of something now

Hi,

as with any interview I would suggest to try and bring your positive things forward, yet be honest. Thus you could mention what you have done and explain why. If your "mistakes" have been spotted (which does not have to be the case) you can explain that you have learned a lot in the process and that you are now aware that...../as a result you will..... etc.
Stressing that you are learning and able to adapt seems to me important.

Good luck