My brother, sister and I all have fairly uncommon names, and while there's been a few cracks at our expense over the years, I think we all like having something a bit unique. I always find boys names easier than girls, but a few I like are Kitty, Rosa (both family names), Aurelia and Anica.

Haha, cheers angel, send em over!

I'm not actually that concerned about the word count Bilbo, I'm just using it as a very arbitrary measurement to monitor progress and give myself some motivation. That and the lovely mytomatoes counts. In my subject it's not uncommon for people to submit as low as 40,000 words, so kudos to your 70! I'm sure you'll be fine, examiners would far rather have a concise thesis than a hefty one full of waffle!

I wish I could answer you Florence, I'd be keen to know that myself!

What I can say is that I went through a stage of paralysis at about 9 months. Once I started getting into the writing (ie, when I had less than six months to go!) I stopped "what-if-ing" and just focused on putting words to the page. I view everything as a draft even though I've only a few months left, I figure I can come back and revise it all once the basics are there. The thesis will never be perfect so don't let fear stop you from moving forward.

Moomin, your post could have been written by any member of this forum in the week before their viva. It's hideous but it's also normal, and however compelling the idea of failure feels it's almost certainly fear not insight. Hang in there as I'm sure you'll be just fine ;-)

Right, word count now stands at 15,1216, a grand total of 942 words today. It does include references I'm afraid, but given only a few hours were spent specifically on the thesis I'm pretty happy.

Hehe, still giggling over Eska's Freudian pot plant. Think I might use a similar tale next time I have to justify the use of shoes :-)

Emmie, I'd echo what satchi said, a lot of these reagents are more robust than their label says, it may be worth contacing tech support of the manufacturer and asking their advice. Alternatively, can you just perform a test run to see how they're working?

Aside from that, I don't know a lab scientists alive who hasn't done this. I know that doesn't change things but it does mean that you shouldn't beat yourself up over it, we've all been there. *hugs*

Well done Chrisrolinski, what fantastic news! Hope you enjoy a bit of a rest to recharge those phd batteries before the next push.

Sue, that's shocking! No wonder local governments are so hideously inefficient, they obviously have a completely backwards policy on recruitment. To be fair though, I know my phd won't help me in the application I've made for a masters either, I'll actually have to work doubly hard to prove I'm not just some inhuman academic.

On a brighter note..... my husbands company have been recruiting recently and were super-impressed by the last person to apply with a phd. They honestly valued his abilities and wanted him even though he was from a different field. Plus, they love having "doctors" to wheel out at meetings! :p

I know that's not the case in all our fields (he's engineering), but there are people out there with a positive attitude to what we've been slaving for.

Hello all!

Ahem, yes, as we can see I did rather take the weekend off. But it's Monday now and I'm back at my desk.

Welcome to all my new writing buddies, Sally and Sheena, nice to know I'm not the only one in this rocky boat, let's go for it and get the summer we deserve :-) Jepson, of course you're welcome! And I think Bilbo is probably right, 10,000 when you're in humanities sounds not unreasonable (and while it's a pain now, you'll be delighted to have those words in the bank later on).

I'm actually in the office today, just in case samples come in and because I promised a fellow student I'd help her with some analysis. I'm usually terrible at concentrating on writing when I'm here but I must get over that. Chocks away.............

Yay for the new coat Eska! But how did it relate to a moving plant? You'll have to explain, I'm having a dim day!

I have to finish early as the husband and I are off to dinner tonight, (and I have to go buy him a present beforehand) time to get out of my tracksuit and rejoin the civilised race I think.

Total words for today, a measly 358 :-( Miles off my intended total but with tech issues and a lot of deleting, it's all I'm getting. Still, any progress is better than none. Thanks for the pressure of a thread well joined!

Oh Wally, what would we do without you to keep the media in check?
I have been complaining too, but only to my husband who keeps taking VERY LOUD business calls.... two feet from where I'm writing :-s

You're quite right about the word count issue poppy, and I do take editing into account. I think in these relatively early stages though, just getting stuff down and seeing the count grow will hearten me. It's a crude measure but it'll do for now. Things were actually going well this morning, until Endnote decided to rebel and consumed my second tomato in bloody pulp of no progress. Grah, I hate technology!

I have been truly rubbish these past two days. I kidded myself that once the lab work was done I'd be able to sit my bum down and write productively. So far, not a sausage (seriously, not even one of those little cocktail ones). So I am starting my own word count thread to name and shame myself when I don't progress.

The thesis currently stands at 13,916 words (those in the humanities, please try to stiffle your laughter) and I need some serious daily progress if I'm to stand even the faintest chance of submitting this summer. If anyone wishes to log their own progress here, you would be very welcome. To anyone who simply wants to drop by and mock me, that is also allowed.

Tally ho.

Hi Caro

My experience was that I always faced a panel of interviewers, each of whom had their own angle. Expect some technical questions on the project and topic (nothing too dreadful, it's usually just to check you've read up and are genuinely interested in the field). They may also ask you about your undergrad/masters projects and how you handled research. General questions such as why you want to do a PhD, where you see your career going, why you want to pursue this topic at this institute. In one case I had quite a few questions about how I'd assert myself in terms of directing research, time management etc, so it's good to have a few examples of your skills. As for clothing, I (and other candidates I've seen) always treated it as a formal interview and dressed smartly.

Good luck!

I have clocked up a grand total of zero today :-(

Just having one of those days when I can't seem to get anywhere. Sue, would you mind giving me a 20-tomatoes kick up the rear? I think I need it.