Oh Echo, this is so the depression talking, it's absoultely classic, and I don't meant the bit about not wanting to finish your PhD (although that might be part of it) I mean the eating/sleeping issues, need to please, not wanting to disappoint. You have nothing to prove to anyone. You need something to alter the way you feel about yourself as I bet how you feel about you is a million miles away from what family and friends feel about you as a person. I really urge you to go back to your GP, review your meds and see what other therapies are on offer. In the mean time don't make rash decisions whilst depressed. Get the extension/suspension/holiday for a while (they should grant one on the grounds of clinical depression as you're covered by the Equality Act). Make the final decision with a clearer mind. If that clearer mind says don't finish the PhD that's fine but you may find that you do still want it, hence don't decide now!!!!

Many congrats Dr :-)

ha ha, oh dear just seen. :-)

I'm in the same boat. I might be able to give you some advice if you can answer the following.
Are you in a couple and does your partner work/
How old are your children?
When/how many days a week are you expected to be at your uni?

Ah right, yes you can't do both and if she says no way until PhD is finished, well she's made that decision for you. I would take this as a perm break, don't let thoughts of maybe you will get back together cloud your PhD as who knows what will happen to both of you in that time. If you get back together after, great if not, you're still young. I know I wouldn't have bet on me sticking around at 22, too flighty by half. However, my now husband and I met just before I actually moved away, 3 years later we bumped into each other again and are now on our 10th wedding anniversary so in the end, if it's meant to be it's meant to be. Get your head down, get busy with your PhD and let life take you where it will, it will all work out in the end, particularly as you sound like you have good friends. Good luck.

I suppose it's about priorities. What do you value most, her (a relationsip) or the PhD? People might say relationships come and go and not to put them before career but personally I think what's the point in anything without a fulfilling personal life, but then again I'm probably a hopeless romantic. Is there any way you can salvage the relationship? Would uni allow you to work 'away'. I believe lots of people don't live near their uni and travel in when required. You don't say what your PhD is so I don't know if you need lab access etc.

Firstly...there is no shame and embarrassment to anyone and this is pobably your depression talking, you need to stop thinking you have let people down. Has the GP prescribed meds, if so are they starting to work, if not have them reviewed. Maybe consider CBT rather than counselling as CBT is more pro-active, changing your thought patterns etc. If you have been diagnosed as clinically depressed I would seek the extension, I wouldn't see that as a waste of time or procrastinating, it will just give you some leway as afterall you don't have to use the extension. If the uni say no, they say no but at lest you've done something active about it.

No one can force you to wrtite, there is only you that can do this. Think back, why did you want to do it, what got you excited about it. Depression might be clouding all this.

If you still feel it's not for you then don't finish it, there's nothing wrong with not finishing it the world won't end, people will move on you will move on, it will be fine. Or, you could just do it :-) A wise, although fictional animated fish once said "just keep swimming, just keep swimming"

Those are amazing grades, you should be proud of yourself. There is no evidence then to suggest you cant write at distinction level for this, have faith, stop being so precious and just do it. Youve done it before, you can do it now. Just start typing and let it flow, you can edit afterwards. Xxx

I wrote mine over the summer, saw my supervisor and it was clear it needed massive changes. I practically re-wrote the whole 17 thousand words in about 5 weeks just during evenings and weekends as I work and have two very young children so it is do-able. Just think that you can do this thing, if you feel you are really way off the mark with deadlines can you speak to your supervisor about possible extension? What are they saying about the work you have done so far as the usual process is you submit each chapter in turn at dates agreed between you and your sup exactly just so you don't get into the state. What do you need from your MA, will a pass do? If so, don;t kill yourself trying to get it finished to distinction level. Good luck. x

Many congrats :-)

Must have been an excellent night out ;-p Well done, makes me excited to be starting mine.

I've had to take extra courses on my Phd because I've a taught MA that didn't (as it turns out) have enough credits in research within it and I nearly didn't get a 3 year phD because of it (long story). So def check the institution you want to apply to first to see what they are asking for. I think the usual PhDs want from a taught MA is that you've covered a min of 60 credits in a specific module on research.

Good plan. Although I do have to say, as a working mum, work life balance rarely exists so try not to think having a partner, house etc is easier with a job opposed to PhD as you migt just find a job brings the same issues.

What's your first degree, is it heavily maths related with a good grade? If so I'd say the world is your oyster, bonus if you have a Maths or computing related MA too. I can't tell what age you are but there are loads of well paid maths/ICT internships/graduate positions out there. I know Goldman Sachs have recently interviewed for paid interns. Government related departments are alse advertising for graduate schemes and look for maths and computing brains forall sorts of interesting departments.

Plus you could always train to teach secdondary maths (they pay those with good maths degrees up to 20k just to train or be a school bursar/financial manager, they can get paid whopping salaries in the larger schools. Maybe check out Teach First as they give you a one year paid internship in some amazing companies then you go teach with them for a year or so.

You might want to chat with your uni's careers advisor

The future's bright :-)

Love this post. I saw it in 2D so the fight scenes were probably less distracting, although I agree it took up too much of the film. I loved how Scifi it was compared to others, a real visual treat. I found it very moving at times too, suprisingly. I liked how he seemed so conflicted and I think his identity issues are key to a good Superman character. I though he was very believable and I didn't find myself comparing to the original.

I'm hoping that his part in all the distruction is setting the scene for a showdown with Luthor in the sequel as you could see the Luthor Corp logo on things that were getting smashed up. Isn't that how it goes, that Luther gets the public to question if Superman is rally a good guy and I think Luthor would play on Supermans part in destroying the city, but we'll see.

I gave it 5 stars but then again, having kids, I've not seen a 'grown up' film at the cinema in over years! ha ha.

Hi, I'll be officially starting in Sept but I've got some summer reading. I know people use different systems but what kinds of note taking should I be doing given the sheer volume of reading I'll be doing? Are there computer programmes for this etc?

I do like written notes as I find I remember better what I have wrote down but I know just that will be nigh on impossible to recall.

Thanks in advance