totally agree with you Lara, this forum does motivate me from time to time when my energies are low.. i think its the idea of sharing the joys and lows of being Phdiers without being judged. my friends often struggle to understand my  lows and the constant challenges that i face (i know they try)... and yet here i can mourn, learn and stay up my chair with a little encouragement from folks. am not sure if will ever get back to facebook - i didn't like the way it clouded my sphere without really giving me anything worthwhile except flagging up ghosts from the past... will see what happens with this forum's facebook group

facebook??? i just pulled myself off a few days ago... it would be interesting though to see who is who... he-he:$

You definitely need a computer shrink for the day when it goes kaput, more like an IT geek buddie whom you don't have to pay. Exercising and eating well will help to keep you sane.

i have recently deactivated my facebook account having decided that my life is worth keeping under wraps... somehow felt invaded by all sorts of ghosts. I definitely won't be going back to it!(up)

Noticed this between my teaching times; when i wore jeans/t shirts etc - students got extra friendly with me and treated me like one of their cronies.... this new academic year i have decided to dress formally.... no suits though, just the formal knitwear, shirts, no jeans... Last semester i heard some students whispering to each other, 'look, she is so informally dressed, check out her flip -flops!". I had a hard time trying to manage that particular group and i think it was partly down to the way i showed up looking extremely informal and my easy going attitude. I dont know how this formal wear will go down this time around with new students... i hope it does the trick.

I completely hear you people - i have gotten so obsessed with leaving the house looking like a normal person, last year i wouldn't have bothered, then i had a boyfriend who only bothered about my appearances when his capitalist cronies were about. Now i make an effort to dress and exercise for fear of looking 40 when i am 32 plus i don't want to scare away any potential dudes!

Cool:p

"The colour scheme is also being debated and discussed" thats good.... hope you will engage us in this debate and discussion too!(up)

hi thecoasman, what do you mean? you mean these forum chats? .... very helpful indeed though i've never considered them meetings!

The order of posts keeps confusing me too... am wondering if i am being resistant to change. apart from this the general lay out of the page is good; having said this the colours are so loud, wouldn't want to sign in when i have a headache!
Dear Forum administrator - when you were considering these colour schemes, you may have done well to solicit for our opinions - you know this whole notion of user participation to inform new directions;-) i would call it user centered approach! am sure my fellow Phdiers agree!

gosh i have been trying to access this forum for days and threads appeared mixed up!! finally here. this is rather pretty(up)

The inexperienced supervisor is likely to give you their all unlike the well known one... it’s almost always the case.
Funding competition is stiff - and if they have funding it simply means they had a good proposal plus with funding comes greater accountability - they will make it their business to see that you deliver because if you don't it will reflect very badly on the department. Plus bear in mind that an experienced supervisor usually co supervises with someone with experience... I doubt they will be alone on it with you. The funded place would be my pick - I was self funded for a whole year before funding came through and it was TOUGH.
Good luck making a sound judgement

I agree, being positive helps. Between now and then (Sat) your 3000 is doable... I have 8000 so far, need at least 2500 more. here we go ...

Ha, ha, would love to try the ice cream seeing it’s so hot! Good luck with yours too... you sound like you are almost there which is encouraging… aha, the fear factor… its not here at the moment… usually works though.

So sorry Walminskipeasucker, had such a c**p day too. Didn’t do a single thing, kept feeling tired though I woke up at 10, having gone to bed at 3. Missed my chapter submission date which was today - now aiming for Saturday - Saturday is a must... this writing business is driving me crazy. I think I need to get away for a few days...will see if my pocket permits… really I must before things go kaput. Chrisrolinski, what’s the magic pill that is keeping you up to speed and so jovial