Overview of TreeofLife on PostgraduateForum.com

Overview of TreeofLife

Signup date: 12 Apr 2011 at 3:58pm

Last login: 26 Apr 2019 at 5:18pm

Post count: 2853

Recent Posts

Corrections

TreeofLife 2853 posts
9 years ago

The only thing I can suggest is not to do your corrections. Don't work on your thesis.

Just amend the first table / paragraph that is required, and then take a break.

Then, do the next table etc.

Partner studying PhD for a second time- Stressful!

TreeofLife 2853 posts
9 years ago

Are you sure she is capable of doing a PhD?

Should I stop applying for PhD?

TreeofLife 2853 posts
9 years ago

Quote From Dunham:
I think that it is just strange to me to define yourself so extreme as a PhD student. I sometimes really get the feeling that this is like the most important thing to people in this forum in life :D

I'll happily say it's one of the most important things in my life: my life would not have been complete if I didn't do a PhD. That's just the way it is for me. I would go as far to say that the pursuit of education saved my life and that's not an exaggeration.

Likewise with chickpea, I wouldn't consider that I live a student lifestyle, so I a PhD hasn't been a sacrifice for me. I've got a car and a mortgage and a pension and I'm still earning more than most of my friends so I think I've done pretty well.

Should I stop applying for PhD?

TreeofLife 2853 posts
9 years ago

Quote From Dunham:

I don't mean this in any way offensive but let's see when it comes to applications for permanent positions in academia ;) It may not be harmful for temporary phd and post doc jobs but if it comes to PI/assistant professor/ associate professor etc. and leading your own group then you are facing competition that is far beyond the one you have for phd or post doc positions with applicants from all over the world and usually really strong CVs.

Yes and I intend to be competitive and I guarantee you my previous management position works for me and not against me and will continue to do so.

[/quote] Then you either have connections or a truly impressive publication list, which is, let's be honest, something that you can only influence to a certain degree [/quote]

Yes but working prior to starting a PhD doesn't prohibit this.

[/quote]Of course it is your own decision but after 2 years of struggle for a phd position it is just reasonable to advice someone to search for alternatives and not to further encourage them to a point when there is no turning back.[/quote]

Possibly, but discouraging people when they want to do something and we have no evidence whether they are are capable or not isn't useful either.

Should I stop applying for PhD?

TreeofLife 2853 posts
9 years ago

Quote From Dunham:

Well, at one point you also have to be realistic and may have to abandon dreams. Even if you get a Phd position at some point, your chances to do research or teach afterwards are almost non existent. The competition is just too high to make it with major gaps in your CV .

That is not true. I've got a 5 year science 'gap' in my CV and it's done me no harm. In fact, working in that job transformed my personality and it's what helped me do so well in my PhD... and beyond, in my new research position.

Should I stop applying for PhD?

TreeofLife 2853 posts
9 years ago

Quote From lude:

But on university websites, I see lots of international students, including those who haven't studied in the EU, and I wonder what the hell I am doing wrong.

Don't feel bad Lude. They are all funded by their governments, employers or parents. Most of them are not exceptional students (at least the ones I know, obviously).

Who is supervising the PhD supervisors?

TreeofLife 2853 posts
9 years ago

There are postgraduate surveys so universities can monitor student's opinions of their supervisors and annual progress reviews where issues can be addressed, but of course this requires the honesty of the students.

Publishing thesis as a book or as articles

TreeofLife 2853 posts
9 years ago

I presume you would have to total restructure it in order to publish it as a book? Could you look for other books that you suspect may have been someone's thesis, and then find the thesis and see the differences?

pgcert by dissertation?

TreeofLife 2853 posts
9 years ago

I would imagine it's better to just do a Masters.

I've the feeling that my PI doesn't trust/respect me

TreeofLife 2853 posts
9 years ago

That's what I meant Mathcomp :)

How do you juggle...

TreeofLife 2853 posts
9 years ago

I'm trying to finish my thesis and pay my mortgage. I've got few alternatives. My supervisors might not like it but they can't do anything about it. That's what they get for allowing 4 year PhDs to be only funded for 3 years.

Anyone ever had problems with ineffective feedback from a marker/supervisor... ?

TreeofLife 2853 posts
9 years ago

Quote From Timmy:

Quote From Eds:
If you start a thread on here you do so in the knowledge that you will receive replies that you do not agree with. But NEVER imply that someone does not have more of a 'right' to reply than you have to post.

Don't tell me what to do.

Wow, I'm not surprised you get the feedback you do. Seems like you deserve it.

Going to be demoted from PhD to Masters. Please help

TreeofLife 2853 posts
9 years ago

Was this entirely unexpected? How far into your PhD are you? Is there any chance you can continue? Can you speak to someone in your department about your health issues? Perhaps it could be a mitigating factor.

PhD interview tomorrow!

TreeofLife 2853 posts
9 years ago

Thanks everyone! :)

How do you juggle...

TreeofLife 2853 posts
9 years ago

Yep, sometimes the PhD has to go to one side. I haven't worked on my thesis for 2 weeks because of tutorials, tutoring, marking and applying for jobs. I still work 60 hours a week doing this.

Thankfully, this week is completely clear of any of that, so I can just work on my thesis again.