Cobweb - don't suppose you feel like sharing that number? Or in my case the respective one for Dell (I will never buy from them again!).

Jinkim I hope you're continuing to feel better and very glad you were able to seek solace from our collective phd bosom. It strikes me that you're pushing yourself pretty hard on all fronts (exercise, phd), do you think maybe you just need a break of some sort? I know that when I set a full schedule and achieve a lot (it has happened) I feel great for a while, but inevitably have periods of burnout when the endless pushing just wears me down. Are you taking any sort of holiday over Christmas this year?
Oh, and I can completely relate to crisps making you cry! When I get stressed and worn down my favorite thing is to weep pathetically at adverts on tv - usually ones which aren't remotely sad or are sad only in the most trite and insulting way. It's a stage of work-induced tiredness that hubby and I refer to by the question "have you lost your sense of humour?" as this seems to be another key feature.

Hi Nevevix
It's hard to know sometimes whether there's actually a problem, or whether the whole task is just daunting when looked at as a single entity. Have you tried doing a gantt chart or similar project plan for the whole study, so you can get a feel for how realistic the timelines and workloads are? I used to dismiss a lot of that stuff as management nonsense, but a graphical representation can make the process clear (sometimes painfully so in my case!). It might also help you get everything signed off mentally, I know one of my problems was that I was constantly trying to keep mental tabs on EVERY aspect of my study - trying to hold it all in my head at once felt undertsandably impossible. If you can sign things off until you actually need to deal with them it might make it feel less fraught.

I submitted to ethics for one part of my study about the same time as you, it's certainly not as early as you'd like, but it may be quite achievable depending on how the rest of the processes pan out. In my case ethics was very complex, recruitment a nightmare and the lab tests hit major problems..... in another scenario 18 remaining months might be ample time for a project. Is there an external member of staff who could give you some impartial advice on this? I know in my uni we have third party monitors who can be really helpful for this sort of thing. I also rely a lot on an experienced post doc in my lab who is free from the agendas my supervisors might carry, might you have anyone like that?

My other major source of support (both practical and moral) is other phd students, are you somewhere where you can interact with a peer group like this? I find that I can easily feel lost amid the phd if I don't get a regular "me-too" check with other phds.

Button, I think that if you can view it as a potential learning experience then go and see the marker in question. Don't go in guns blazing and tell them it was unfair, but just explain that you were interested in the topic and would like to better understand where you went wrong in the essay. If there's a reasonable explanation (given this person is an expert, there may be) then you'll come out enlightened, while that's not fantastic compensation for a low mark it does at least give you clarity . If the marker in question is in fact just a hard-nosed git, then you'll know it wasn't your fault and be free to consider that formal complaint. But I really would suss things out with your marker before making a decision about whether to go higher.

If it makes you feel any better, in my third year I had a course I absolutely loved; got >90% in every practical or essay, was class rep, yadd yadda yadda..... I came out of the exam with an overall course grade of 11/20. I was gutted. When I spoke to my tutor she told me firmly that the grade was right, I thought she was horrible! However she then went onto explain that she only knew it was right because she'd already double checked herself out of surprise. While the grade really sucked (and I still don't understand how I got it) her encouragement on putting the mark into perspective restored my confidence enough to keep the subject on. My long-winded way of saying that if this doesn't get resolved the way you hope then don't sweat it, you know you're good and that your other grades reflect your true abilities.

Agree with sneaks, if it's been more than a few days then feel free to pick up the phone and chase up, no one marks you down for looking motivated. If you can't reach the first supervisor then politely email the second, explaining the situation.

That's fantastic algae, well done!!! Time for some festive icons in celebration I think!
(gift)(tree)(gift)(tree)(gift)

Keenbean, could you drive an automatic if it's just the one foot?
My hubby knackered his achilles a while back and was in a cast for months, he swapped his car for an auto and whizzed about ok in that.

Don't worry scotchegg, we all have our moany and wobbly days, it's a big part of what the forum is for :-) And I agree with bilbo, I think we're always so much more critical when reading our own work, it's impossible to be truly objective. I for one can barely stand to read what I've written as it just seems so awkward and trite on every occassion! It's like watching yourself on camera, everyone squirms but it doesn't mean there's actually anything wrong with it.

Interesting bias. There are some people on here who's gender I'm genuinely not sure about, although it's fascinating how I find myself making assumptions based on their posts.

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Oh, definitely puppies over children! You see if human babies had fur I'm sure I'd be much more interested in motherhood - why are our own species so unattractive at birth?

- sorry, totally off topic there. As sneaks said though eska, hope your positivity trend has continued and you are feeling much sunnier today :-)

Oh dear sneaks. Where does the time go eh? Hope you can batter your cold into submission with some remedies. Personally I like to concoct semi-vile potions in my kitchen, on the basis that what doesn't kill me will take out the bacteria.

My supervisor has thrown me today by revising yet again what we're doing. His suggestions were good though so I'm not really complaining. My brain is just so tired from working things out and trying to balance the different aims. That, and finding out I may not have enough biological material for my work - argh.

Fair enough eska, I can understand how sensitive you must feel about it all, just didn't like the thought of you giving yourself a hard time! The shelter idea sounds good, I know my hubby did that once; just after splitting from his ex, took his mind off not having his daughter there and I think he found it really rewarding.

Sneaks - it's so strange, I simply cannot imagine you as an introvert! I mean that in a good way I hasten to add.

The sad thing sneaks, is that I'm actually a little jealous of your new years plans! I'm spending two days with the in-laws and all the kids *arrrrrrgh - headbutts tree*

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About christmas Eska, but do you actually want to spend it alone? I'm have no doubt that you're capable (and given family circumstances it may be that you feel it would bring some welcome peace) but don't feel you have to deprive yourself of company just to prove a point. I'm only writing this because it seems that you can be a bit tough on yourself.

I'll be back in London this christmas myself sneaks, I won't gatecrash you but I'll keep an eye out for a redhead in a top hat ;)

Good luck with the job Jinkim! Shame about the wait, that's a long time to be wondering, you shall have to play it cool like your little (snowman)

My phd is all shizzle and no sizzle today, just waiting to use machines and generally confusing myself with calculations.

Good luck with the neverending chapter (if only there was a flying dog to help you through).

Ah, thanks Eska (soon I shall enter the vip lounge, soooooooooon).

I'm glad you're feeling a bit better. From everything you wrote in follow-up about the book chapter and your sups general approach, it really does sounds as if you're doing well despite his recent offhand remarks, I think you should have a tree to celebrate! (tree)

Shame about that lecherous member of your dept though, bleurgh indeed!