Thanks :-) I had to leave it or I'd get NOTHING done today - really good resource that now happily resides in my favourites!

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You have your answers Scared - please stop worrying. Re the regulations, all unis are different so we can't possibly answer anyway as we don't know which uni you attend. Check your student handbook or your website, all of the regs will be there - this is something we can't help you with and you really mustn't dwell on it. Just get on and enjoy your time as unless there is something you haven't told us the chances of you being thrown out are very remote!

Oooh, a star!! Thankyou :-) I'm very happy now :-)

Hi Jade

It sounds as though you are very motivated and have probably done more preliminary work than I've done full stop! I agree totally with Phdbug - things change so much and you have to be prepared to be very fluid in your ideas and your methodology. My discipline is different to yours, but already my thesis has gone from a current debate viewed from a microhistorical perspective, to examining data from about 1/3 of the country! Its just changed so much after my initial pilot study revealed data that caused me to strike off in another direction completely.
I will have a look at those books you've suggested. I have to have my lit review in in just over a month from now and I'm nowhere near ready for it all - its all quite alarming actually - but I'll get there, I always do, its just quite a ride! :-)

That sounds very interesting - I think maybe as first years we struggle too hard to find our 'home' and hearing that it takes that bit longer and we will get there eventually is so reassuring - thanks for this post bug :-)

Oh I've got it, its only when you start the thread that the button appears, I've just checked one that I started.

I can't see anything that I could use to recommend anyone! Maybe you can only do it once you've got stars?

And makes me feel bad! I'll got boil my head then :p

Scared, you say:

I haven't got a star :-(

Hi Scared - you seem to want people to tell you what to do - ie chuck in your Phd, which is one of the biggest decisions of your life - over something that we can't really understand. It all seems very strange - from what you've said you have been abused and threatened and treated badly, but you should be the one to give in. Come on, you are a man, act like one. There's no point in all the asking people if you should quit - only you can make that decision, and personally I would be in my supervisor's office, I would make him listen, and I would get it around the dept - the correct story - if not officially - but that's just me cos I won't be bullied. Only you know your supervisor, your dept, the other man concerned etc and how you feel. But if this Phd is important to you and you've worked so hard for it then I would not give it up for the sake of a liar who tries to cause trouble for you - you'll face a lot of sh*t in life and turning your back and giving up is not the way to deal with it - just my opinion and please don't think I'm being a bitch, I'm not, I just worry that you're getting to the point of quitting over a misunderstanding.

Hi there - lol bug, yes I'm here, but haven't been on much - been too busy celebrating the MA results ;-)

I did my BA and MA at the uni where I'm now studying for my Phd - I really don't see the problem. You choose a location for your Phd more on your supervisor than anything else - mine just happens to be the leading expert in my field and he is at my institution - it was a no brainer really. Also as you have 'history' with the staff and the admin (cherish your administrator!) things tend to run smoother and they pull out every single stop to help you! There are actually a couple of lecturers in my dept who did their full set of degrees at the uni - it doesn't seem to be an issue for them - and I can't see why an employer would be that bothered - they are going to be more interested in you and your abilities than your academic institution - that seems to be something that interests those of us in academia, but not so much outside from my experience.

I am certainly very very happy with my situation - my dept is fantastic, I have a great supervisor and board and also contacts through the sup to leading academics around the country so its been absolutely ideal for me.

Thanks everyone, and congrats to you too Phdbug :-D I got a 75 for my dissertation too lol!!!

Lol, I joined here when I was waiting for funding news - hence my screen name - I was also writing my dissertation, had all the normal home stuff including a close bereavement and was suffering the letterbox vigil, so my name was very apt! I wouldn't say it inspires me in nail biting lol - I wish I could change it to something more apt for now, but maybe it will act as a reminder of what the summer of an MA is like ;-)

Still buzzing away here, I'm so relieved and happy now I've got the result!

I'm so excited!!!!!! Not strictly Phd related but I've just heard that I've passed my MA with Distinction and its a good one - I'm sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo happy - just wanted to share with people who know how incredibly exciting it is to get a letter like that :-D

I'm not sure re conferences - there is a small fund for the dept, but not much. As far as where you sit goes it depends on the dept at our uni. I know some have their own offices that they share with 2 or 3 others - in my dept we have a locked room with a set of computers and desk space, but that is it - we don't get an office unless we get a GTA position and then we share one for office hours on the same floor as the profs!