The short answer is drinking alone.

The long answer is drinking alone so I can ignore my first year flatmate who thinks a) he's a geneticist (two months in does not a qualification make) b) has more work to do than a PhD student c) that he is in any way likeable d) that I drink too much (you would if you had to live in a flat alone with him (bedbugs has reduced my flat from 5 to 2)) e) that he can demand any of my time because I'm a subwarden f) that Rustler burgers count as food (which offends my love of real food) g) that he isn't, at the heart of matters, a complete cunt. Plus, I'm far too broke to go out at the moment.

Ahh, venting is fun.

What's the bets on Cameron announcing a new plan for Higher Education funding off the back off this - "let's replace top-up fees with topless fees!"

That bloke really doesn't have two policy ideas to rub together....and he's our next Prime Minister!

I'm doing mine on a sexy topic - the politics of oil........

....well at least I think it's sexy.

Erm...I'm just wondering where I fit into this debate. I've got a fees waiver and a subwardenship (which chops off a lot from rent, bills and food) and my parents are helping me out with the rest (not that they're rich, just that I'm the youngest so they're got more money now that ever before.) I've also been picking up bits of work when its available and can't wait to teach next year.

I agree with them also, but that doesn't mean they should get away with sloppy methodology!

I'm in favour of a graduate tax, mainly because it stops the "customerisation" of students.

======= Date Modified 07 Nov 2009 14:47:41 =======
In response to students who point out how much each seminar/lecture costs them (which will generally come from people in Arts/Humanities subjects because of low contact time) you can always criticise their methodology for discounting the use of facilities that University membership brings - the library, computer clusters, journal subscriptions, etc. You could also point out that they have failed to account for the significantly larger fees that international students pay and how much it costs them.*



Ah, critiqueing by claiming Western-centrism and attacking the methodology - it makes me feel like a proper academic.



*You could also say that the difference in fees for International Students and Home Students is, in some way, indicative of the amount that the Government pays for their University education and that they should stop moaning about the situation when, from this perspective, they're getting a good deal.

I'm not sure if this is very helpful advice, but having had (in this case, coaching) experiences where I've fallen completely flat on my arse and failed has instilled a confidence in me. Because when you've experienced similar situations going wrong, you kind of realise its not that bad.

So for me I cling to two thoughts. Realistically speaking, what's the worst that can happen? And how much will it really effect me? (The most important part is "Realistically speaking" because your mind can think up some random things.)

Might I suggest buying a thermos? You can have loads of good nutritional (winter) food kept warm in a thermos for when you want it.

I've just started but I'm mainly doing theoretical work...so I count any time sat down thinking about stuff as time on my PhD. As such, I racked up a good week of work this week.

Erm...how about (don't judge me for any historical inaccuracy)
The Caesars' Land: Late Holocene Environmental Change at Castelporziano (could even be Land of the Caesars)

The Roman Fields: Late Holocene Environmental Change at Castelporziano

Not really sure what you found but maybe
Roman Wilderness:: Late Holocene Environmental Change at Castelporziano

Slight bit more out there
Ancient Climate Change!!!: Late Holocene Environmental Change at Castelporziano

Finally
Great Fieldword/Holiday: Late Holocene Environmental Change at Castelporziano

Hi ShinyPilot,
I had the same experience as you with all my year being international. It means that everyone can remember my plain English name as I struggle with theirs. :S One thing I've found, particularly in the last year, is that, with the exception of freshers, age really means very little. As such, I don't think there's the same gulf in experience that you get between an 18 year old and a 21 year old as with a 21 year old and a 24 (or older) year old. It all becomes kinda relative. In fact, I'm a subwarden at a Uni resdience and in the same flat as me is a 24 year old (1 year older than me) who's doing a foundation year and has never lived away from home before. So far he's asked me how to use a washing machine and displayed the cooking skills of a shaven chimp.

Also, if you don't feel like you'll make good friends on your course I would suggest getting involved in some uni society.

======= Date Modified 28 Sep 2009 00:19:28 =======
Hi, I'm also partially self-funded (I've got a fee scholarship/waiver) but I've got the advantage of my parents backing me up financially. That said, I don't like taking money off them and I got myself a subwardenship at one of the Uni halls. It's cut my rent and bills to £110 a month and will look pretty nice on a CV for any jobs that require "pastoral care of students". It's worth having a poke around to see if any residences need a subwarden fr this year, and I'm sure you'll be able to get in on it next year.......just try to choose a postgrad residence (damn freshers, making me feel old.)

Hello, I'm a PhD newbie. :-) Started a subwardenship last week (eurgh freshers) and met up with my department yesterday. We had a little party and I'm currently sitting in bed hungover. Fun fun fun.

======= Date Modified 29 Sep 2009 14:44:47 =======
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I've just started a project that could benefit the entire world, so......where's my money? Eh? How about everyone coughs up a couple of quid and I'll actually do my research? That's fair, ain't it?



As a Social Sciences student (and I'm sure my arts & humanities brethren will back me up on this) saying that issues of funding are unfair is like saying that David Cameron is a lying slimey bag of s**t - everybody knows it.

Wow, this is the first time I've seen a list of "Do's" consist of one "Do". You'd think that with only one they would have structured that section of their essay differently. Maybe they could add "Don't make a list if you only have one point"?