Morning

I would really love to know if my experiences are typical or not - I wish there was some solid data (like a compulsory survey - I recently participated in the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey, but since this is voluntary I guess people who have had a bad experience are more likely to fill in the form. I certainly enjoyed it I don't think the results of this are available to individual participants or the public - which makes me a bit angry).
I totally agree that a balanced view should be presented to PROSPECTIVE students. I really doubt this will ever happen though. The university aren't going to broadcast the fact that people can have an awful PhD experience. All I remember pre-induction was - 'the best three years of your life' and at induction 'your supervisor will become your best friend'.

I know - I understand the difference. I can't say I'm quite so happy when everyone is here, but I'm not as miserable as I used to be!

Yeah, that's it. I'd only heard the first four lines before.

Five years ago this summer I had my first taste of isolation in the lab when I did two months work experience. I really hated it and spending days on end without saying a word to anyone really bothered me, BUT... I'm just about to finish up my PhD and I can honestly say I've got used to talking to no-one. That's probably not a good thing, but I found that when I stopped spending all my time thinking 'I need someone to talk to, I need someone to talk to...' I just got used to my current situation. I was in the lab last week just after Easter and the building was almost empty and I LOVED IT. I felt like I had the run of the place. So I think there comes a point where you have to stop trying to change things, accept your situation and move on. There's some famous quote about wisdom being knowing the difference between what you can and can't change?

Oh, I posted that before seeing your post Chris (leather issue).

I agree that you shouldn't feel guilty (or let others make you feel guilty) about watering down your principles. I'm by no means vegetarian, but I'm trying to eat less meat (not for any health reasons, but because I don't like the thought of it - I like animals and don't think they're a necessary part of our diet). I choose vegetarian food over meat when it's available, but if someone cooks meat for me I'll (probably) eat it. So when I have a really great meat-free day, I congratulate myself and then promptly remind myself that I'm wearing leather shoes I figure some effort is better than none...

venturin12, yes I would say leave sooner. But similar to Chris, I felt I was already committed right at the start of my PhD because I had previously worked on the project as an undergrad...

Mine was 19, although I think the thermometer I used overestimates because I measured record temperatures with it last summer(!)

I can't make sense of those rankings - once you go below 100 on the world list (or 34 on the European list) it just goes alphabetical?!

Just google "you held the world in your arms", first result.

Well, they're not my words, Idlewild are quite poetic. I don't want to go on about it but that whole song (you held the world in your arms) sums up my PhD.

yep, exactly. I mean that's how I feel most days, although I'm not so much worried about failure to get a PhD, more failure to achieve something (a paper, or even just a thesis that wasn't up to standard - at least I'd have COMPLETED something). I'm really tempted to have these Idlewild lyrics at the front of my thesis (although they don't quite fit - I don't feel 'secure') "when you're secure do you feel much safer? when days never change and it's three years later, it's like your life hasn't changed, and it's three years late, how does it feel to be three years late, and watching your youth drift away?" etc

The heat's off in our uni, and although it's LOVELY outside, my lab is freeeezing. I hope it's just an Easter thing and they haven't decided it's summer...