======= Date Modified 22 Sep 2010 08:11:15 =======
I thought us brits were known for being pessimistic (?) I know I am - I am often called eeyore because I'm so doom and gloom :-) Maybe you're confusing the 'keep calm and carry on' or 'stiff upper lip' attitude with optimism - that's not optimism that's just sheer bloody mindedness.

I think you need to look at what kind of work would be open to you in the states with a PhD - as obviously you don't see Britain (where abouts are you anyway, cos down south its sunny 8-) ) as a place where you can fulfil your long term goals. It is my understanding that the system is a lot different in the states i.e. the academic sector is much more competitive, but there are also many careers where it is impossible to progress without a PhD.

I think British humour can take a while to get used to, but if you're experiencing the 'usual' workplace banter/joshing, then just don't take it personally.

I agree, go and see your GP - its free :-)

I would like to point out that despite the radio 4 listening, I am frequently ID'd. As I'm tee total that may seem strange, but I actually get ID'd when buying hubs' video games! My record is 6 months ago when I was ID'd for pro evo soccer on PS3. The age limit for that game? yes, its was rated 3+ and I got ID'd! For some reason I am more often ID'd for 15 rated dvds, rather than 18 - weird.

However, I am, next week, babysitting for my mother in law (who has a small child) because she is going out clubbing all night - that makes me feel like a young fogey. Although also makes me smug that I am not in the midst of any mid/quarter life crisis (like she so obviously is!)

HA! try being a 26 year old married, who's 20 year old unmarried sister in law has just had her first baby. THEN you'll feel the pressure of aging, I have a whole family who have volunteered themselves to be my daily biological clock countdown "when are you going to have one" "we thought you'd be first" blah blah blah.

And I have a pension (albeit a very small pension that will pay me about £20 per year when I retire), an ISA and a house (even though we're only paying off interest only :-( )

And...

I listen to radio 4 and refuse to wear leggings.

I've had 5 or 6 students email me this week for VERY simple things e.g. how to compute a new variable in SPSS - READ A BOOK! they haven't even bothered to pick up an SPSS guide, or even google it, they come straight to me :-s

I guess its the result of tuition fees - students are now 'customers' and I can see it from the other (student) side - If I'm paying £7k for a masters degree for example, I'm going to want my money's worth. But I can't see how a lecturer is supposed to satisfy REF requirements, make an 'impact' on industry etc, the student survey AND make sure they don't get sued - well I'd want a LOT more money that current lecturers salaries anyway.

However, I agree, this bloke could have appealed earlier. My hubs appealed his degree classification and got it moved from a 2:1 to a 1st on the basis he didn't know he had dyslexia until the end of the 2nd year - and his results reflected this, i.e. they were low 2:1s before and a very high 1st once he got help with proofreading etc.

ethos.bl.uk

I better email those supervisees I keep meaning to, in case they sue me!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11376021

Urgh, its later this week, but I have to travel up today. I'm feeling so disorganised! I'm only just finishing the slides today and still haven't packed!

I've PMd you

Well I went through my presentation with hubby, and have realised just how difficult it is to explain my analysis (which is the WHOLE study).

Will be putting quotes in this morning and practicing all day :-(

I know their psych department is in a bit of a mess and I've known a few lecturers leave because its a bit of a nightmare over there. I think they got fined for taking on too many students (?).

Do you have offers from other unis?

Have no idea, but I spent about 2 hours looking for the dagger symbol this week and in the end just copied and pasted it from a page in google, so maybe you could do that?

I feel more confident now. I've recently seen a lot of presentations by colleagues/other PhDs and they all seem SO serious and DULL, I wasn't sure if I was just a bit thick, or maybe come across a bit cheery, but simple lol, or whether it was the right approach.

well i have no pictures :-( but I do have 2 graphs! :-) and its black on white as I'm using the university ppt template.

I don't think I 'erm', but have had to spend a lot of time trying NOT to start every sentence with 'so...'

what's your stance on pictures or clip art (if they are not entirely necessary)? I'm not sure whether to put one in my current presentation