Hmmmm, that post didn't all come through - I said the British Singer Joss Stone COPIES a mean blues. PGF Team, is that a bug? I definately typed it all I promise!

You mean the B

On the wider issue of deadlines, I think they are a good thing overall to motivate you and to give you a deadline (I'm only churning out work now I know I'm near the end of my funding...), but looking on a longer PhD as a failure and cutting funding etc may be a bit ruthless, there are loads of reasons why research may fall behind.

Yep that article explains what I was trying to say better than me - its as much about training and learning skills than producing the pinnacle of your life's work (though if you're lucky enough to find that then well done!). And my first year especially was about learning new analysis techniques and computer language etc - so don't be afraid to ask, I'm sure they expect you to.

That was a really useful article, I'm looking at post-docs overseas and am wondering about homesickness - I worked in the US once and I remember it hitting me all of a sudden on that first phone call home. Keep that Stevie playing!

Remember that a whole PhD is research training now, and especially in your first year. Just don't be afraid to ask!

Poop

Hello, its very hard to find an online (distance) PhD at all, but I would imagine it would be even harder in this field. You might need field or lab equipment that your host institution would provide, field assistance etc.

Whilst a lot of people I know in the Environmental Sciences might be away for large periods of time on fieldwork etc, they live and return to the host institution.

I know many circumstances mean a lot of people can't move, but it may be better to look at Universities within a commuting distance? I think everybody on here will tell you how important it is to be around a Department, academics and other students (all your best ideas will come by chatting to them at coffee break) and all the facilities a University provides.

I wasn't expecting him to win, the news came like a bolt out of the blue...

Drum roll please.

Check if your first year of PhD can count towards an MPhil? I know this is quite common in many Universities, and is based on your first year report.

Pawn

Dark

Flew

Fred (can we have names?)

I think its impossible to think you'll work productively 12 hours a day for 3 years solid. I work pretty productively, but I also work weekends, don't take as muhc holiday as I'm entitled to, and am generally thinking about my PhD and working it over in my head most of the time (I hope I'm not the only one!)