My work comes back with comments, and more usually with changes to the writing style, most of which are very good. Sup has made it clear that I decide whether or not to accept the changes. But it feels weird to go through and click accept changes to the document. Is this a particularly hands on approach or do other supervisors spend this much time editing your work?

someone posted a youtube video on the forum recently that was really useful. It was concerned with writing tips.

you should defo prepare - nothing could be worse than not meeting the expectations of someone who has gone out on a limb for you. So make sure you know the area well, and also make sure you know the project well.

and yes dress smartly, no uncut fingernails, but a suit would be inappropriate.

Yeah they are great! I agree Saatchi, you don't seem to realise until its too late and there are headaches/light headedness etc. Thats when I binge on jumk food - not good for the brain!

you should include any other areas you are interested in. You could talk about your undergrad/masters dissertations, how they relate to your phd proposal, and where you think your thesis will take you. Maybe you could try to show how your phd will fit into your broader research interests. You could also include any other projects that you are involved in. If you can't think of anything you should really try rather than leave it blank. Check out the research interests of the staff you will be working with (but don't copy them - it has to be realistic). Also be careful not to stretch the truth as you might be questioned on it at interview. Finally, I wrote some research interests that were quite diverse. My sup told me to remove some of the less relevant ones in order to make me seem less chaotic.

Thanks for the replies! the soup is a good idea, or I could even make scouse, yum yum :-)

Hi everyone,
Now approaching the end of my PhD :-/ I find one of the hardest things about being chained to my computer is feeding myself. I often don't have many groceries in and I fnd it hard to tear myself away from writing long enough to make anything substantial. Most of my lunches are something on toast (which can be delish, but tedious if consumed everyday!). So I want some suggestions. Anyone got recipes that can be made in less than 15 mins? Anything you make from left overs or things left at the back of the fridge? What do you all subsist on? My favourite at the moment is garlic mushrooms on toast.

Yes, Teach yourself speed reading, its part of the Teach Yourself series and is written by Tina Konstant. But there are any number of books that will help you to improve. Sarah

I was employed part way through the term because of staff shortages so my contract was drawn up a few weeks after I began teaching. I think that might be my next step if things don't move quickly.

Hello! I had the same problem (as well as poor memory on occasion!) so I picked up the teach yourself speed reading book. It really changed the way I approach literature. These are the steps that I use now:
1) Scan - title, subheadings and images/figures. This will give you an idea of exactly what is in the paper.
2) Make a list of questions that you want to answer/things you want to learn from the paper. Make sure this is quite extensive.
3) Read the abstract and the first line of each paragraph, highlight the paragraphs that answer any of your questions. If you come across new questions add them to your list.
4) finally read those sections that are necessary only. Answer all of your questions. If you have, then your done, no need to read any more.
5) If you have poor memory (like me) review the paper the following day along with the notes that you made to answer your questions.

The book also gives some tips on how you can physically read faster that might be useful.
Hope this helps!

I tend to agree with Supergenius. But if you are sure the problem isnt you why not talk to another member of staff? You could invite them for a coffee/drink, then go over the areas that you think are iffy. If they agree, write them in/start doing them. I'm sure your supervisor won't be angry if you include more stringent controls on your work. Remember that if it goes wrong, you will get the blame not the supervisor so its worth being uncomfortable for a while now than failing in the end.

Hi everyone, I'm just on here to grumble. I did a semester of teaching work for a local college and have yet to be paid (since february!). The reason they give is that various bits of paperwork have been lost (both by them and in the post), and without a signed contract they cannot guarantee that I will be paid. I don't know whether this means right now, or whether I will just not get the money. I'm so angry about it. I feel like my work suffered because of how much effort I put in over the last semester and that it was really a waste of my time. I also don't know what to do about teaching for them again. Term starts next week, and while I need to experience I don't want to work for nothing. I also don't really want to kick up too much of a fuss about the money (almost £2000!) as I will need them as a reference when I finish my PhD later this year. Harrumph! :-s

Hi, I wouldnt worry about it. The peer review process can be intimidating but it strengthens your reputation within the research community. If the editor (your supervisor) has already given you a provisional yes, then I would assume that it will be published. Of course you will have comments to incorporate. Even the most seasoned academics get major changes sometimes, it is normal, and not something to be overly concerned about. :-)

Hi all, I have a dilemma. I found this great postdoc and got really excited about it. But I'm not sure whether to apply for it. The issue is that I fit all of the criteria apart from one. I have experience of working with the species required, but not since undergrad, and I'm no where near as knowledgeable about it as the species I work on for my PhD. It would take me a little bit of time to familiarise myself with all of the methods used with this species, but I try to keep up to date with the literature and I'm confident that I could do the job. An added benefit is that its quite rare for people to work on this species and have the background knowledge that I do from my PhD research. I don't want to humiliate myself and want to maintain the respect of the professor who is doing the hiring (we have a good relationship now).

What should I do?????

Hi! In my field lots of people self fund! they usually work part time so it takes 6-8 rather than 3-4 years. As well as funding bodies you should ask about in house scholarships and fee waivers. Go to the university webpage and try to find info about all of the scholarships they have, some of them will only be a couple of hundred pounds but there are some more substantial grants too (a friend of mine got an obscure scholarship that wasnt always awarded because noone wanted to study within the field specified - it might be worth tweaking your application to fit into funding requirements). You could also appraoch the department you work in about getting teaching/tutoring work and maybe a position as a lab tech. Lots of things are available that mean you wouldnt have to take such a big loan and would also make you more employable afterwards.