ah, the problem that every PhD students faces! All PhD students are overwhelmed by the sheer amount of material in their field. This is one of the most difficult aspects, as looking into one resource leads you to another, which leads you to yet another, and so forth. If you're just starting out, I would say the best bet is to start with the seminal texts in your field. Look at the bibliographies of the major texts in your area and see which texts are most often referred to in your field(this is known as 'bibliometrics')That's the best way to begin. When you're getting that feeling of drowning in resources, remind yourself that you're not alone!

Cheers rosy! Hope you had a chance to gorge yourself and watch loadsa crap telly yesterday! I certainly did! I think I'll join you on the resolution to move my body more this year. Do you think as PhD students we come out of the experience 3 stone heavier because we're sat on our bums doing research all the time? Hope everyone had a well-deserved break yesterday!!!

Olivia, I'm utterly shocked to find that Taco Bell didn't make it on your list of things you're going to miss!

Hey rosy--yeah, we've been going out for 3 years, and my partner isn't working in anything remotely related to academia. What I find difficult is that, for instance, I may be at uni in the day, and have the best of intentions, but not get a great deal done! Then, all of a sudden, I get this energy in the evenings, the time when we're meant to be hanging out together. I feel like, if I was single, my work wouldn't be relegated to particular times, and I could just pick it up anytime I got the urge. This is the tricky part for those doing PhDs who have partners/families/other commitments, isn't it?

It's so difficult. I feel that my relationship is impinging upon my work. Everyone told me it would be a struggle to date someone who wasn't involved in academia, and I just shrugged it off at the time, but now I'm starting to see where the problems come. I feel like if I was single, I'd be getting alot more work done, because I'd work whenever I felt like it. Instead, I'm spending my evenings with her and can't relax because I'm so consumed with thoughts of what I could be doing. I hope that doesn't sound horrible, it's just that I've worked really hard to get here (as all of you have) and I don't want to mess it up!

My girlfriend is driving me mad! She still doesn't seem to understand the demands upon PhD students. She thinks that we faff around for 3 years and then all of a sudden produce results at the end. I'm coming to the end of my tether with it. When I go off to the study to work for a few hours in the evening, she gets ratty about it. Is anyone else having trouble trying to get their partners to understand how much commitment is actually involved with a PhD?! Help!

Dan, fear not my friend! The gap means absolutely nothing. We have people in our department doing PhDs who have had a 20 year break since last studying. In fact, the most productive, successful PhDers in our department are the mature students who have lived a life outside of study and have brought their experiences to the table. Go for it Dan!!!

Hi eddi! I can completely understand your concerns. We can all make a conscious decision to walk into one of these departmental parties and be urbane and reserved...and then you have a few drinks and sometimes it can all go out the window! So, I would suggest (from my own embarrassing experiences) that you definitely get involved, but maybe be careful with the alcohol

God yes! I absolutely dread going to any social gatherings in my department. I spend most of the day working myself up about it, then go only to find my worst fears confirmed! I usually end up standing in a corner with a drink, looking really uncomfortable and acting really awkward if anyone does approach me, at which point I say something ridiculous and irrelevant which I then beat myself up about for several days after!
Don't worry, you're not alone

From what I've heard Rutherford, the salaries for academic posts in the States are much higher than in the UK--with the stress levels to match.

I'm afraid the answer to that one is a resounding 'yes'. It's disgusting, isn't it? I've been prey to this. I know this sounds defeatist, but I would just drop it. I was quite surprised to find just how incestuous the academic community really is. They could affect your academic career without you even realising it, because it's all done with such strategy and subtlety.

Ahhhhh mokey, the infamous question. Ask several academics this question and you'll get three different answers, I assure you! I'm having trouble with this one too. I've been told that you need to simplify your writing, which I don't understand because if you read theoretical texts they're often inaccessible to postgrad students, much less laymen! I thought at this level that we were meant to be engaging on a deeper level, but every lecturer I've spoken to has stressed simplicity. Hmmmm...

Greetings Faust! I don't subscribe to this notion that PhDers should be nailed to their desks. It's absolutely essential to take time off. I can't argue enough for this. If you go hell for leather, you'll go to the dark side. I've seen it happen so often. Go for it Faust!

Corinne it's so cool to see that you've got a steely determination and are pushing through. You're right, you've just got to block it out and carry on. I know I'll do the same, as this sort of challenge always makes me fight harder.

Yeah Corinne, I've got a bit of supervisor-envy going on at the moment too. My friend gets oodles of support from his supervisor, and it's making a world of difference to his confidence levels. I wish I was stronger and could just block it out and get on with things, but I can't deny it--it's really affecting me.