Oh Keenbean, I didn't know you were a fellow kickboxer! American or Thai? I did American for years, had to stop though as my hips no longer work properly :( Still miss a good sparring session.

Have a look and see whether there's a jogging group in your area, it's a great way to get you out on gloomier days and much less intimidating than a full-on running club. I find running is the best escape from my phd, I never feel stressed or worried when I'm zipping about the lanes. Rock climbing is good for strength and great fun (although you'll have to hire kit and get an induction or lesson so not the cheapest). Don't worry about pseudo-rockys preening themselves by the power shake bar, the average gym or boxing class has a wide range of people and you won't feel out of place (unless you go wearing a mankini or something, obviously). If you want a quick rosy-cheek boost in between typing, try skipping! Its a staple at boxing and really gives you a work out. As for classes, give yoga some thought, it's great for relaxation but you can also work physically hard - Ommmmmmm.

I'm with you Angel, having an utterly apalling spell here and just can't seem to get anywhere. Feel as though I'm swimming through treacle.

That would royally tick me off too Eska! You turned up when you could have been doing your own work all along. It's just rude isn't it?

I'm having similar thoughts about the supposed "professional" auditors who are coming in to check my project. They gave us the list of documents they'll require all of 3 days in advance, and changed the meeting time less than 24 hours before! And these are the people making sure that things are done properly?

Grrrrr indeed!

I'm fairly certain that (for some fellowships at least) you can apply as an individual, then take the fellowship with you to a department - who will then usually welcome you as the glorious golden calf because you come bearing funding! One of our postdocs arrived that way and got subsequent extensions on dept money once he had his foot in the lab. But would your current supervisor not support your applications anyway?

Thanks Mathkitty, I seem to be having an utterly crap day so it's much appreciated.
I was making such good progress for a while, now I just seem to be consumed by anxiety and all it's baggage. My notes look like meaningless squiggles and I have the concentration span of a gnat. I must work and yet I can't seem to. Note to self - shut up and get on.

Last week was mostly a loss due to home life distractions, and I've started to fear that my initial motivation has puttered out pathetically :-s I really want to get this chapter drafted up before I go to visit family on Thursday, it's perfectly doable if I just get my arse in gear.

*thinks positive*

My only addition DanB, would be a little touch of relaxed chivalry. I don't mean gallop up on a white steed and talk about slaying dragons for her hand, obviously. But hold doors, be polite to any staff who serve you (very important), walk her to her taxi, that sort of thing. And I would agree with not building it up too much, it's just an opportunity for an evening out and a chance to see if you like her (it works both ways after all!).

Have a great time :-)

Regarding page numbers, I was told to aim for around 200-250 pages as well, and I imagine mine will be nearer 50,000 than 100,000 words. One of the post-docs in my lab had a thesis of about 400 but that's unusual in science and it had to be published in two volumes, you can't fit that much paper in a single binding!

I've got a little over three months to go and have a grand total of two and a half chapters to my name...... not unusual in science subjects but I don't recommend it!

Argh. No words for several days as I've been redoing analysis and getting called into work to mop up a doctor's confusion - as if I wasn't busy enough?

Today's plan: Draw up a firm outline for this chapter
Write the methods section
Perform any remaining analyses
Stop looking for yet more analysis options!

I think Wally is right that there's every reason to go forth and explore at this stage of your life - how much of these doubts are just nerves? Also, while you are uprooting across the world, you can always come back! Few decisions are irreversable and you can leave after six months if it really isn't for you (apart from anything, my understanding is that you get two years tax-free as a postdoc in the US, but pay it all in retrospect if you stay longer, so staying 3-4 years is a decision in itself) so no, you don't need to be 100% sure. I went abroad for a year post-degree and it was really worthwhile. While I found the separation from my partner hard and the work wasn't as expected, I still made great friends and am glad I had the life experience. Ask yourself whether these doubts are really red flags or whether they're just fear. If you felt this way before (say prior to phd or other life committments) then take them with a pinch of salt.

I admit, I too have heard horror stories about US post-docs, especially in this field and it puts me off looking there. Writing up whilst committing to their work expectations could be a real challenge. Why not just keep your options open and see if this dream postdoc at your institute comes off, then decide? No, it's not the best behaviour, but if things changed for the american employers I'm guessing they wouldn't lie awake at night over letting you down. And have a think about your career ambitions, do you know what you want to do instead of academia? What post would best align with those plans?

That's great Chrisrolinski, congrats!

I've written a couple of things but my advice will probably be hopelessly generic. I'd say write a paragraph of each idea and keep it relatively simple (in my experience, make it as simple as you feel i should be, then go another notch, but this depends on how specialist you tend to be normally). They can always edit your work if need be but I'd guess your best bet is to read back issues of the magazine to get a feel for their tone - do they have a specific slant? In terms of pitching, try to define your target audience/readership and think about what they would want from the article, then tailor to those motivations.

It's all about the comedy here. Scrubs, Ugly Betty, Big Bang Theory...... ahhh.

Aviator,

I don't know anything about Walden, nor have I heard of a specifically online PhD program.

That said, in my experience a lot of PhDs can (and are) done remotely and according to the student's own schedule anyway. Because I'm part of a somewhat isolated research group, I never have classes or seminars and I decide my own hours almost entirely. I'm not actively taught at all so attending on specific days is a non-issue. Most PhDs are demanding but flexible, so I don't see that you'd need a specifically online one if you were part time anyway.

As keepcalm points out the PhD process does need interaction and support, so isolating yourself entirely and being unavailable to tutors/peers would probably harm your prospects. Some universities will also expect more attendance or physical involvement, you'd have to figure this out case by case. The real issue is your subject matter. I, for example, have to be in the lab full time at certain points in my research, others have to travel or be in close proximity to specific resources. If your work can be done via online resources and from your home then I see no reason why you couldn't just fit supervisory meetings and so on around your schedule.

As for skipping the masters, this is very much dependent on subject matter, relevant work experience, and the expectations of an individual department. I don't have one but you'd need to see what the standards are in your own area.