Thanks

USA

Was anyone else overwhelmed when they started being a Postdoc? I’ve just started my new role after a very quick writing up/submission/viva period (wrote up my thesis in 2 months, submitted, had the viva 2 weeks later – very, very tiring). I had to do this in order to obtain this position, which is a good one (good university/group etc.). In regards to the work, I’m doing something which does use a lot of the knowledge I gained from my PhD but in a new area, hence I have a steep learning curve ahead of me and it’s quite scary. I naively thought that post-PhD I’d have more confidence than this... Did anyone else feel this way after their PhD?

Andy

p.s. I’ve started this position in a new country as well hence, it’s a bit of an adventure...

Hi guys, currently writing my thesis at the moment so a tad stressed. Had some wonderful news today, got the comments back for a paper I've submitted. One reviewer said the paper was written well and made a few small comments but not much else. The other went to town and really laid into one section of it with additional comments of poorly written, incomplete etc. and doesn't believe one or two of the results. How do you cope with scathing reviews? I unfortunately took (am taking it) very personally.

Feel exactly the same way. I'm in the last three weeks of labs (one of those weeks I'm of to the states for a conference). So I'm going mad at the moment trying to fill all the 'holes' in my data. Although I know you can never really finish, research goes marching on, I want to have as complete a picture for my thesis as humanly possible. Every time I think about writing my thesis, my stomach turns in knots and, akin to a previous thread, I really do want to cry...

I feel I must apologise for opening a can of worms here and getting people down with this thread. I'm just so frustrated after investing so much time into not just the PhD but before that with my A levels and then first degree in order to get to the PhD stage. I'm proud to have got through last few years and pleased to find out I can cope well under pressure and have more perseverance than I thought possible (even when reaction 22 fails I can get on with reaction 23 etc.) I think the fact that I'm still sane is down to my very understanding girlfriend of 4 years (doesn't do a PhD or a job that is related to mine in any way, a relief for conversations ) On a lighter note it's her birthday soon and I want to get a really great present, just not sure what although she's been hinting about a ring...

I think everyone feels down at some point in their PhD. If you do feel down: a) talk to your colleagues and your friends about what you’re going through. It's surprising how many other PhD students will be feeling the same way as you, they may just not show it. b) Talk to your supervisor. They have a habit of getting so caught up in the work you do, they forget to see the actual person who’s doing it and how they're coping. c) Keep trying different hobbies/activities. It does wonders to get away from lab/library/office etc. and not to think about your PhD be it going to the gym, jumping in a swimming pool or, as one interesting student here did, join the skydiving club. Anything as long it's not related to your day to day "job". Best of luck.

Well done! Enjoy!

Why you'd want to take up a second one after going through the hell of the first is beyond me Sounds like madness! (Sorry, my PhD has been an uphill struggle. What's that quote? Oh yes, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." Sums up my two and a bit years)

Saying that though, some PhD's from some countries aren't recognised in others so if you wanted to emigrate etc. you might have to do another.

Thanks for the replies. Thanks Ann for the word of warning I'll keep shipping out the CVs (tailored to the role of course!) and applying to advertised positions Fingers crossed...

I'm coming to the end of my PhD and with the fun of writing looming I've become a glutton for punishment and started looking at postdoc positions and sending out CVs. I'm finding it very disheartening at the moment: sending out so many CVs and not hearing much back. Is anyone else having fun with this at the moment? This is the first time I've really had to apply for a job (flowing through from GCSEs to A levels to Degree to PhD) and it's actually quite scary not really knowing what I'll be doing next or where I'll end up :-O

Would love to get a position as a postdoc (CVs have gone out), but the chance of me getting one is small. (Sorry to sound depressing, having an awful day).

My investment in my PhD (tax free), is slowly coming along. I'm getting a return in the form of my results (admittedly there was no real return until year three), but I should be rewarded (with all gods willing), to see capital gains (i.e. pass the damn thing), upon the viva later this year.

There are differences in pay throughout my department depending on your source of funding i.e. I know people in my group who are on BBSRC grants get more than me (EPSRC). Also you're quite lucky if you're on a case award, dependent again on the sponsor. Don't think it really matters especially when you consider a few years ago PhD students were being paid £6000 a year.

Ann, I can completely understand what you say. I remember just before my final exam in my first degree having all these great ideas about how to celebrate. In reality, the exam finished I consumed more than the recommended amount of alcohol, the hangover the day after was one where I WANTED to die (did the usual "I'll never drink alcohol again" line). For the next few days all I could do was sleep. All the adrenaline fuelled nights of cramming had left there mark In light of this, I'll leave the Amsterdam trip till at least a week later (cheaper last minute deal )