The best thing you can do to calm nerves is to be prepared - which you probably are. I was terrified when I started teaching, but felt prepared - had exercises all timed to the minute, had done all the readings, anticipated any questions etc etc. I was most nervous about not knowing the answer to something, and looking foolish. And while there were a couple of qus I coudn't answer, this was fine, and I just got the students to follow up. As others have said, deep breaths, take in a bottle of water, and know what you're going to do with them. It gets easier!

Thanks Missspacey, that's very useful, and I'll do that. Spent the day yesterday compiling a list of people I'd like to work with, and so now will also do unis. My area is very specialised which also makes it difficult - there's only about half a dozen experts in this country. Oh well, room for one more?? Now had better actually get on with the job of getting the PhD!

Thank you for this - is helping to lift my depression somewhat.

- swimming in the ocean on a hot day, dozing on the sand afterwards;
- having a meal out with my partner;
- walking the dog, watching her tear across the park, all sheer exuberance and joy;
- reading a good novel;
- looking at plum trees bloom in spring.

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I have done networking - had to do it in my last career - and so am used to it but still hate it. And like you Cakegirl, will prepare an email and cv and start flogging it around. Are you doing a proper letter or a covering email? Am thinking will do email so it's less easy to ignore and people don't have to open attachments. Or are you using snail mail? I've always just applied for advertised jobs and never had to go around cold calling, so am new to this. Won't be finished PhD for a good few months yet, but I know how slow academia is.

Oh well, few glasses of wine, bit of a moan, back to work...

Thanks for the support/tips.

Hello all

Well, after feeling positive for ages, I guess it was inevitable that a depression was about to strike! Yesterday I went to a seminar on how to secure a post-doc - and came away feeling hugely depressed. The bottom line is that get anywhere in academia, you need to be really "entrepreneurial" (now there's a word I hate!), good at networking etc etc so that you're able to either secure grants or get to be someone else's researcher. I knew this of course, but this seminar really drove it home and I realised just how difficult life after a PhD is going to be, if I go down this route. And I thought the PhD was hard! Alternative career options depress the hell out of me. I don't want to do anything apart from research, but it just seems like having to continually chase funding and jobs is an awful way to live. I'm not good at networking, am in no way whatsoever "entreprenurial" and so find this all confronting. Makes me wonder what a PhD's for if there's no jobs and I'm probably not going to use it...it certainly won't do me any good whatsoever in the world of "work" in my area.

If I do go down this route, I need to start looking for research after my PhD. I live in the Asia-Pacific region and would like to work OS. I've been advised to keep an eye on research council funded projects in my subject area, and then contact the academics and offer my services - as well as look for the scarce-as-hen's teeth post-doc positions.

So - I know about ESRC - can people tell me about other major funding bodies or institutions I need to look at please? I'm in social sciences. Have also been told to look at sociological institutions etc. I guess I must still be clinging on to the dream if I'm preparing to actually start thinking about where to next...

At least it's Friday - am definitely gonna go out and moan to friends tonight about this *&$$%# PhD and associated life!! Thanks for any advice.

And just to add my 2 cents worth - I also love doing my PhD. Am keen to finish, and somewhat antsy at the moment as the writing up is so slow, but am enjoying it overall. My supervisor is the most generous person I've ever met - she's supportive, brilliant and provides me with many, many opportunities. I love thinking and get a real buzz whenever I have the occasional epiphany - this is what makes it worthwhile. I love my subject area. It's hard, but I also wouldn't be doing anything else!

Hi KT

I currently have 12 chapters, which will end up being about 10. Yes, it is a lot - lucky me!! But your chapters are no doubt longer than mine are going to be. At least I have variety I suppose! Sounds like you're well advanced - you could well be all done and dusted by the end of the year! Maybe you should do the bits and pieces work when you're tired, and get into the meaty work when you're most productive.

Today am travelling to my uni (3 hours away) so I can attend a seminar tomorrow on how to get a post-doc, then Fri have a meeting with my supervisor. So an outing and a bit less writing for me!

Off to do finishing touches on chapter 5, then a bunch of transcribing. Talk to ya later!

Hi Slowmo

Sounds grim! I'm afraid I can't answer what's wrong with you, but it sounds like there's something going on alright. Are you feeling overwhelmed? Have you finished your field work and come back with lots of data and mountains of work to do? If you're doing very little, is it because there is too much to do?

We know the answers to procrastination - make lists, start with things you enjoy, factor in rewards very often. Think how good you'll feel when that chapter's written! If you've been procrastinating for weeks, you've probably gotten into some bad work habits. Set your daily routine, factor in breaks and rewards, and force yourself. You want to finish, but procrastinating and feeling guilty won't help!

Do you need a holiday? Or more guidance from your supervisor? Don't worry about writing like a 19 year old, you have to start somewhere. Just keep going. Slowly it'll get done, then how good will that be!!? Do the 2 hours, have a break, a walk, a chat, and then do another half hour, then another...

You might need to think a bit laterally, and search on related terms and terms you think are less likely. When I've been stuck I've also gone back to an article that's been on the area I want the lit on, and had a look at the library entry for the article to see what keywords are used. Using the same keywords as the library entry usually brings up some additional material. Also make sure you use a wide range of databases. I find that as long as I have one article, this is a good starting point. Use the same keywords, and chase up references in that one article and you should be on the way.

Yes, know what you mean. I find it helps if I just focus on one thing at a time - get that task done, then move on to the next. It doesn't help just thinking about the enormous pile of work to get through in the next few months. Prioritise, don't stress, build in some relaxation and just do as much as you can. Get rid of stuff that's not essential. Semester will be over before you know it and you'll have done everything.