Oh I get what you mean now. I will check that out - thank you!

Some really useful tips here. I also hate the fact that I sometimes encounter papers I've saved and read and even highlighted, yet remember nothing about them. Gonna try some of these!

Ps. 5 & 6 are compelling reasons to stop now if it isn't what you want!

Hi batangkilljoy... It sounds like you want to quit more than you want to continue? I would quit then if I were you. I don't think you would have to worry about explaining why you changed your mind about doing a PhD. Plenty of people change their mind, and the earlier on is probably the better.

About your reasons 2, 3, 7 & 8 (and maybe even 1 - after all, it isn't THAT long distance). If these are genuine reasons for wanting to quit (rather than just justifying/adding to the argument to quit), I can tell you that those things do get easier (they did for me at least). There is a massive learning curve / getting settled curve in starting the PhD. I'm now in the middle of my second year, and things have got easier in that sense not harder. The challenges are different now - they tend to be more methodological and more enjoyable.

But it all boils down to what you actually want! Do you want the PhD or not? Don't be scared of/worried about quitting if it isn't what you want. Less time wasted is better. But equally, rise to challenge and get determined about things if the PhD is what you want.

Hope this is a tiny bit helpful.

Tudor

One can be honest without being blunt.

Ah then based on that I would defo pick the MSc and forget about the top uni stuff - who cares really if the course isn't exactly what you want?

If going to a top 5 uni is important to you then you should go for that one - otherwise you'd probably regret it based on what you've said.

As others are also saying here - yes, you can get non-research jobs with an MRes. The MRes is geared toward research (hence the name) but not to the exclusion of everything else. Some or most of my peers from the MRes have gone on to do non-PhD/non-research jobs.

Go for it but make a contingency plan as well.

It is hard to advise without seeing it. A 30% cut isn't actually too bad though - just make your points and mention details more succinctly... use one sentence to wrap up multiple points/examples.

Does it have a clear structure? Is there some blurb at the start that could be cut/reduced?

Save a copy of it and then be really ruthless. Less is often more!

Thanks for sharing. Yeah I am also looking for some sort of face-to-face training on my chosen method. It may be that books will suffice, but I'd feel more comfortable having the chance to ask a course leader questions etc.

Thank you Chickpea. I think getting that input from others who are experienced with the methods is my missing link. I would feel more confident with that.

Have a good holiday (if you're taking one for Christmas)!

Hi all

I love learning and using different methods to answer RQs (when those methods are justified by the RQ and the data of course). I haven't met any resistance from my sups, but I wanted to get others' views on this. Do you venture out and learn new methods without direct supervision on how to use them? I mean studying out it yourself and then showing it to the sups. My concern is, I suppose, isn't the point in being supervised that you will learn methods from them? I suppose I am wondering am I being wise... or is something going to come back and bite me in the rear end? I learn things very thoroughly, but I suppose you can't beat that hands on support. What do people you do? Stick to the beaten path or venture out?

Tudor

I am happy with my arrangement of meeting mine monthly, but the "on a couple of occasions I've gone away and solved problems he's been working on. At his prompting, one of my solutions is going to turn into a research paper in my name only" appeals to me!