btw, english is not most important, it is not listed in the factors that determines a decent research, no worries

Dont take it personally, No problems could be unsolved. do what you think it's right, if you are really desperate enough, not giving a s**t about the result

to be honest, i learn a lot from the discussion itself, this is really a good forum. as a newbie here, i dig out lots of useful comments and suggestions. i really believe all you guys are smart enough to do a good phd work since you can see through what the nature of phd is and what is required. PHD is not a big deal, but the whole process benefits everybody in it a lot.

never procrastinate. that's definitely a piece of valuable advice to every fresh phder, I take it but i am not sure i can follow it. cheers

nothing is impossible

I recommend you a book 'how to get a phd'. it could tell you in detail what the whole phd study like? including your relationship with supervisor and the role of supervisor as well. IMO, u just cannot expect too much from your supervisor, you have to be very independent, but of course, he should give you some directions. but you know, supervisors are busy, and sometimes they dont know your subject very well,let alone the details. DIY as much as possible. otherwise you have to change a supervisor, but it's not a good idea at all.

i starts my phd work last week. Students in the 2nd year and 3 year told me that in the first year they didnt make any big achievements ,no papers at all because no good results are obtained. even few experiments are conducted. just try to find the necessary equipment and group the ideas to make a good plan. i wonder if it is normal. publishing papers in the first year maybe a bit difficult. am i right?

I work on the advanced composites in the department of Aerospace. you know, materials preparation, property characterization, analysis of microstructure. I spent my last three years doing nano-materials, but now i do composites. a new field, but because it's related to spacecrafts. i think it's more of engineering than science. i think this degree just involves a lot of experiments. no deep theory is needed. i find that engineering is more useful,but science is more interesting to me. kind of crazy,aint i. . i know social life is important too. i hope i could make friends with you guys. big phd family. hehe.

been in uk for just 3 weeks. new country and new life. phd's work is kind of a bit boring. reading papers from the start. any good advice on the 3-year phd life and study? anybody?
cheers