I sympathise. There are 12 in our little office. People are good but it's still difficult. There is some pressure to be in but I work at home a lot.

Do you have a counsellor? Could you get some counselling perhaps through your university or GP? I had counselling for an ongoing issue through my MPhil and into my second year PhD. I really recommend it.

Do you think you need some time out or would that just give you more time to brood on your situation? At the very least, I hope you are having some sort of counselling.

Blimey - I wish my supervisor showed some concern like that! You know you should meet him don't you? If personal stuff is affecting your work - better to explain now and plan around that than let it drag on and he doesn't know what's up.

Brit Wards 2007 album is a fave right now.

Dahl and rice is one of my trusty stand-bys. You can chuck in a tin of spinach if you want to up the green veg content.

During my 20s half my food intake came in the form of half a tin of tomatoes on toast with chilli sauce. I still have it occaisionally.

I don't know. I ask myself the same thing often but for me I think it really is too late to speak up. I think if I were you, I would try to raise the issues have put here - but as calmly as possible. Don't get angry - just state your issues clearly and ask for a response. She may get defensive and just refuse to acknowledge what you are saying - or hopefully, she may be forced to acknowledge that she is giving you mixed messages (the most diplomatic way I can think of to describe it) and then you both need to agree a better way to communicate in future.

I don't use credit cards - ever.

When I have been desperate to ecomomise the best solution has been to usea a cash only budget and set a daily or weekly limit.

At the moment - using a proper freezer is working well to minimise food wastage - also cheaper to cook larger portions and freeze.

I am also the queen of charity shopping and jumble sales.

Varies a lot and depends on whether you are already known to your potential supervisor. I didn't have an interview.

I have very fond memories of my dad driving us over (from the north east) to see the Blackpool illuminations.

Of course (slaps head). I guess I've needed them a lot because I am old....

Sounds like you are anxious that your first degree is not as good as your masters. This is a common situation that pops up a lot on these boards. Technically, some universities might insist on a 2.1 even with a merit at MSc - but many are flexible so you will just have to make enquiries and see. Funding is more problematic. There is absolutely no reason why you should not be good enough if it so happens you have a 2.2. - it's just a supply and demand technicality so don't let that put you off applying.

You can also get certified copies made from your own originals by the right kind of solicitor (exact kind escapes me - maybe someone else can remember). They sign it to certify that it is a true legal copy. I've had that done a zillion times.

I'm old enough that I actually learnt to touch type on a proper manual typewriter in a class where we listened to a tape and typed as dictated. The tapes had increasing levels of speed and difficulty. (I was sent on this course one summer when I was unemployed.) Actually I don't touch type 100% properly anymore but it did help a lot with the basic qwerty awareness. I'm sure there are a ton of course books with tapes around - try ebay. The tapes help build up a steady speed and ability.