same as Olivia, I write a task list and include even the smallest tasks on there coz it sure feels good to tick them off as I go along and motivates me to get on with some of the big tasks. Either that or I'll set myself targets, something like 30 more minutes and then I can go and have a drink. I usually find once I set myself that target I can work past it. I think the hardest thing to do is get started as I usually find that once I just get off my backside and start, I'm in the zone!

Hi everyone, just checking to see how everyone is feeling? I'm feeling much better now. I took myself to one side and had words with myself. I decided a change of attitude was in order. Seems to be working so far (until I get stressed again), I have more energy and don't feel as sleepy and run down. Also, I'm viewing xmas as sanctuary so I'm getting as much as I can done before then, so I'm hoping my concentration won't falter. I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but my house was a bit of a mess and cluttered and now I've tidied and cleaned it top to bottom, I find it much easier to relax. I've also joined my local comedy club! So I'm all smiles now, just wanted to say thank you to everyone for the encouraging words!

scienceishard is working hard trying to get her house to smell like cinnamon/mulled wine/spiced clementine as befits the season, to remind herself its not that long till christmas, yay!

is someone taking lead responisibility for organising this meet? if so who? bet its a task and a half!

if I read it right it says 10,000 hours over a decade, thank god! Don't know about you but my PhD is only 3 years plus possibly post docs etc. It will even itself out... so don't worry Olivia, no-one expects you to do that in a year and if they do, they ought to get a life! I'll get off my soap box now I think!:-)

Hi Az it depends if you are studying inside or outside London. I study in London which gives me London weighting and the average here at the moment is £14,350 pa taxfree. This is based on MRC rates (medical research council) and is due for review any time now, it should go up (I'm guessing by around £200-£300 pa but don't quote me). However its ridiculously expensive to live here in London so bear that in mind. I'm not sure what the money is likely to be outside London but it is sustancially less as it is supposed to be cheaper to live outside London. Having said that you may get lucky and get a higher paying studentship. Good luck(up)

Tsipat sorry that you seem to be experiencing a similar thing. So very draining isn't it? I hadn't really thought about my iron levels. I go through periods of being a bit anaemic and I also don't eat a lot of red meat. Not too long ago for a short time, my hair started to fall out (not massive amounts) and I was recommended to take iron supplements as my iron levels were probably low. It might not be a bad idea to see if it works, so thanks for that. I really do think now though that it was stress related. I'm started to feel more myself again but still quite tired. I really do have to throw myself back into it and force myself to work harder though, like you I also have monthly deadline so it was leaving me quite worried. I'm hoping that as I work harder I will build up the momentum that I had before the whole thing started. Trying to stay optimistic.:-)

I'll be coming but I'm hoping it will be on the saturday.:-)

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Thanks guys, really good comments. Its really nice to have it confirmed that I'm not alone or simply being lazy. Coastman, I think I have slumped into a carb phase so I think I will try and alter that! Olivia, I also think you made a good point about little breaks in the day. I find I'm really well organised most of the time and so try and get everything done in the least amount of time and end up filling in gaps with stuff I find to be productive (with the hope of being able to go home earlier), however the result of this is absolutely no breaks, except for lunch where I take 15 mins. Perhaps I could think about extending my day with a few more water breaks (I really don't drink enough). This way the tasks seem more 'bite size'. Also Ruby, thanks for the stuff about maybe involving my supervisor/gp. Worth thinking about especially if I get to the point where I need extension etc and need to show there really was a problem. I am really conscious of the fact my supervisor may just think I'm lazy as I have just been made to change to her and she doesn't know what I'm like yet!

thank you so much Olivia, your advice is really helpful. Things are more in perspective now. Maybe I should just accept that after what has happened I can't go rushing in, firing on all cylinders expecting to be at my best. Think you're right about the exercise to tire me out properly, maybe a change in diet might help too. Thanks again.

scienceishard is so tired and its only the start of the week. She should be super excited as she saw her first xmas advert on telly last night (DFS with Mariahs classic 'all I want' in the background), but alas even that was not enough to save her from this mon morn despair!

Hi everybody. I'm struggling to carry on at the moment due to what seems like extreme fatigue and demotivation. I wonder if any of you are feeling the same?Perhaps its the weather/season? All I know is that I am so sleepy all the time and can't keep my concentration and can't become motivated in anything. This is really not like me. I'm usually super organised and quite hard working and enthusiastic. I feel like I need to rest but would feel extremely guilty for taking any days off as I recently took 3 days off to visit home. Also I can't relax properly for some reason. I took this visit as recently I have been going through a really tough situation with my PhD which was completely beyond my control but has interfered immensely with my day to day PhD work, so I took the time to recover a bit but yet the tiredness remains. Although I was making good progress, I now can't seem to move forward and I'm really worried as I'm just starting my 3rd year. I'd like to blame the tiredness on the events that I've just been through, but its over now and I should be relieved, but I feel like I should just pull myself together and get on. Trouble is, I just can't, and I'm so worried that my new supervisor will think I'm slacking. Anyone have any enlightening ideas, please help if you can?

Oh Rosy thats actually a great idea. Options hot chocolate would kill 2 birds with 1 stone as I love sweet stuff but I also like comfort food and drink, so that would be perfect in these chilly months. I managed to avoid my favourite stodgy pasta for lunch in favour of a salad sandwich on wholemeal brown bread today. The problem is that I know I'll get bored. I also have problems managing to drink enough water during the day too as I work in a lab (no food and drink) so I'm so busy that I forget to go and get some water. I've started setting a timer to remind me to drink some water. Sounds silly but its working for the time being. Lets hope it helps me lose some weight!

scienceishard is thinking that that means 404 nearly did!:p I apologise if your first name really is 404, it could happen!

just wanted to add that I didn't eat all 8 in one go!!!:p