I'm Cancer. Apparently we're sceptical of horoscopes and zodiac signs. I prefer Chinese Year animals....because I'm a Tiger (1986).

Not sure what subject you're in. But (in Politics) a conclusion is where you verbally draw the argument together. It kinda should be what the previous sections were leading upto and should be a synthesis of the little arguments that were in each section to a larger overarching argument (possibly in the case of a thesis, it will involve linking the little arguments of the chapter to the argument running through the entire thesis.)

Not sure if that's relevant. If not, have a (mince)

I have three places I could potentially vote and all are safe Labour or Lib seats.....so it may be a protest vote for me (Greens, SWP, etc.) One thing I am certain of is that I'm not voting Tory. Particularly now they've launched this "Big Society" campaign in a disingenuous attempt to be different to Thatcher. Thatcher wanted a smaller government.....the "Big Society" idea is just that. It's just a change of emphasis.

Anyhow, I'm going to hand over to my man Nye Bevan to finish this post off.

“No attempt at ethical or social seduction can eradicate from my heart a deep burning hatred for the Tory Party. So far as I am concerned they are lower than vermin.”

Hmmm, sidetracked by one of my friends needing help on a Masters essay. I ended up writing 650 words on it. Can I count this towards my day's total...or should I push on to add 800 words to my actual work?

Day One of my 10 day goal to write my upgrade document.....not going too well.

I can indeed. In fact, I can do better - it will make you lose weight!

What wonderous bar is this? Why we call it Chocolate SuperLax!

Yes that's right. Step right up Ladies, Gentlemen, and Children and try this exciting new dieting Chocolate Bar! You will fill your pants with excitement when you discover you can eat great things and lose weight!

Eat yourself thin with Chocolate SuperLax!

100 words down. 900 to go. And......I'm off to the shops. Anyone want anything?

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Not really on topic this, but it's not worthy of an entire thread.

Just forced myself back into work mode after the Easter break by going on mytomatoes. I'm only an occasional user of the site and often use it one day and then forget it the next. However, what did motivate me is the word counts that I had put on my previous tomatoes (I normally label the tomatoes what doc it is and how many words it is up to.) Despite thinking I pretty much hadn't done any writing for the past two months one document has mysteriously gained 5000 words (from being 300.) Not saying that 2500 words a month is good going but it is nice to see when you have actually made some progress.


More on topic, is banging out a thousand (good) words a day for the next week and a half an achievable aim? I want to get my upgrade document sorted soonish and I think I should have more physical evidence (rather than some thoughts kicking about) of my progress so far.

Also (this is the edit), I've decided to give up beer for the rest of this month. I'm not really a fan of other forms of alcohol, so this is kinda giving up alcohol, but in a far less anti-social and adventurous way. That is my goal for the next two and a half weeks - no beer.

You can knock an Arts PhD out in around two weeks. As previously said, the lack of rigorous methodological requirements means that they'll just accept any old shite you cobble together. That's why its the equivalent of two level 6's in year 9 SATS. So I would suggest you write your thesis in the first two weeks and then spend the rest of the time drunk.:-)


On a less serious note, having also done a lot of research before I started my PhD, my first year has been spent realising A) that not all of it is relevant B) that there is a hell of a lot more research to be done.

I agree with Bilbo, you need professional help. Consult your local barman for possible remedies. My personal suggestion is 16 units worth of Ireland's finest export (and I'm not talking about Ronan Keating.)

How about a trip to see your family/old friends? That normally helps me.

Natassia: I was in the exact same position as you last year. I did end up missing out on funding from my old University and from all the others I quickly applied to after that fell through and my parents offered to support me, which was horrendously gut-wrenching for me as I have a very strong independent streak. However, I got over it (after a few months) and accepted their offer because I wanted to do a PhD and had been unemployed for 8 months (I finished my MA dissertation in September 2008 - wrong fucking time to finish.) Anyhows, I cast around as much as I could for any opportunities at one University that had appeared particularly interested in me and ended up getting a subwardenship at a Hall of Residence. Not ideal, but it meant less parental support. On the first day I got to Uni the Head of Postgrad studies contacted me to tell me that one person had dropped out and, as a consequence, I would be receiving his fees only scholarship. Which was nice.

I know that this is entirely anecdotal, but, as my case would illustrate, there are more opportunities than simply full or self-funding. I also get to teach next year (yay!) and I know that the department has found research and office work in the Uni for other people who are a bit skint......although this seems to have dried up slightly recently.

Anyhow, that wasn't really advice, that was more my story. Hopefully you won't have to come to the decision about accepting parental help :-)