I do think that there is a difference between subject areas.. In science you have more of a direct goal as you get results and then can write them up.. My other half is doing a PhD in law and is finding it hard to nail down exactly what to write about.

My PhD is also a CASE studentship and so my industrial partners are keen on me getting it all finished as soon as possible.. But I am glad as it gives me a deadline to work to which stops me from being a lazy bugger!

Awww was hoping it would be in the north :p But I can do london.. although not in october hehe

I'm aiming to get mine done in 3 years.. so watch this space lol!! I hope to get some publications submitted by the end of the year too

What's a gate exam?

I had the same thing regarding an international conference in Australia. I saw it and when I mentioned it to my supervisor I was expecting him to say no but he was all for me going to it. So I ended up going and presenting some of my data.

Best thing to do would be to bring it up with your supervisor and see what s/he says, tell them that you want to submit a paper/poster and why you think the conference would be good for you.

I got extra funding for travel etc by applying to a couple of societies I am a member of, most groups have travel grants and student bursaries to help towards conference attendance.

Tricky is part of the working-on-a-sunday club... boooo :-(

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Bored-o-rama

Tricky doesnt like his new haircut :-(

Nah its not the same person lol!

In my department there are PhD students everyone gets on with and then PhD students that people don't particularly like.. So these things will probably help you get on..

* Enthusiasm is a must
* Be able to think for yourself and not be waiting for someone to tell you what to do
* Don't sing your own praises all the time in a one-time-at-bandcamp-esque manner - Obviously don't hide your skills but there is a modest way to get them across lol. We have one guy who worked in the US for a while and he is constantly going on about 'When I was in America I did....'
* Be prepared to help other people cos you never know when you might need a hand
* Tidy up after yourself when using communal equipment and if you use the last of something order a refill/replacement

Tricky s off to the pub... Freedom! (In the lab 2moro tho :-()

Sounds interesting (up) Yeah I am a microbiologist too, I'm from a vet background and looking at intestinal disease and gut microflora in poultry as a means to get a better handle of treating gut disease without relying on antibiotics :-)

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Got to be the choc digestive.. and only mcvities ones.. none of the charlatan wannabe ones!

I'm boreder than you all today! :p