I wondered if anyone has any experience studying or doing research at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

I'd be really interested to hear any opinions from postgrads and postdocs especially.

Thanks!

Hi!
It sounds to me like you've made loads of progress and you shouldn't be worried at all. It does sound like you're alot like me though and can't help but feel like anything you do should be that bit better. Just ask yourself each day, did I get enough done today? You'll find that the 'enough' will change all the time, but just look to make as many days of your time as a PhD student as productive as you can.

I started my PhD in October 2008 but find I'm doing more lab-work than writing. It is starting to worry me a little that I don't have anything concrete written down other than the tremendous amounts of notes I have in my lab book. This is mainly because my industrial CASE collaborators highlighted that they wanted a review or a couple of review articles done as early as possible, so I'm an expert by the time I get down to working with them. Yet my supervisor is really pushing me to work in the lab as much as possible. Luckily, I've managed to get some very useable data from this and we are looking to publish as much as possible, there's even the chance of presenting it at a conference soon. I've been trying to keep on top of literature I've collected and read in my own time, but definitely don't have anything by way of writing done.

Hi there,

I started my PhD 2 days ago and have had those feelings and thoughts creep in at least once each day. I just try to remind myself of the nature of a PhD and what it entails. In the end, we aren't supposed to turn up knowing everything; we just need to have the capacity to bring something to the research team. You will probably have a skill that they have identified as what they need and thus were chosen. Don't be disheartened, it's probably just nerves. I think you'll (we'll) feel much more confident soon as you (we) settle in and show our worth. Just keep a positive attitude I guess. Hehe.

I'm worried, because I haven't had an official meeting yet, and have only been working from a 1 page proposal they submitted to get the funding. I've been given random things to do but haven't really been sat down to talk about what the PhD is about. So I'm worried that I may be thinking about it in the wrong way. Eeeep!

What discipline is yours in? x

Do those of you who work night-time hours find that you suffer your sup's wrath for not being at your desk in the daylight hours? I ask because I find I too worked evening hours, using the daytime to shop and go to lectures (during my undergrad). Many of my fellow undergrads used to use their free time in the day to work but I would usual save work for later and do other things in the day. Since this was my active choice, I'm wondering whether I'll end up being a nocturnal PhDer too.

Stressed, 'limbo' is definitely the word I've been using lately. It's frustrating for me as I've recently realized that durin Ungergrad I got into this habit where I don't really relax at all. I mean I do, but I'd rather be doing work...haha. So end up feeling guilty n such. So these past few days have been a bit kak.

Tricky, it was a lab at the University of Leeds. Are we thinking of the same person? ;-)

Thanks everyone, for your input. I totally wanna know more about this jewelry and death thing....perhaps you could elaborate ruby?
xXx

that sounds really cool Tricky. The last lab I worked in was doing some work on something similar, but with Pigs. The student had to handle alot of faeces with that one. Hehe. Thanks everyone for your help, I just need to make sure I stay confident and patient. x

Hello everyone. Thanks for your replies. They're all very useful.

I've just come back from a 3 course lunch with quite a few people from the department, including those from my research group and a coule ohter related ones. So I've managed to get to know them through that a little bit. We have a Intro evening for all postgraduates on the 8th which is quite a way after I start and I can't wait for that (a week is a long time for me). Other than that all I know is that I have to come in on Wednesday morning and my sup's won't be around...hehe. I have a copy of the research proposal and have been working from that, but I feel these things should be reiterated in another meeting but have been told there won't be one.

The computer I've got does seem to be really slow, but I think it's just been mistreated because it is a new series dell afterall and shouldn't be that slow. Luckily I know a bit about optimising them so I can sort that for whilst I'm waiting on the new one. But I can see that it'll be pivotal to the work and should be sorted as soon as possible

To answer Tricky's question, I'm working in the Department of Dental Sciences on plaque related diseases. I've been enlisted due to my Microbiology background (BSc Hons n such). We're going to be working on designing a biological model of caries and study the remineralisation of enamel using fluoride solutions. Something like that anyways. I heard you're a Microbiologist too, what are you studying?

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Hi guys,

My start date is 1 Oct but I came over and moved in a little earlier so I could get paperwork sorted out and go to a couple of lab gatherings and such. I've been doing a little background reading but nothing totally substantial. So I'm at a bit of a loose end, sitting in my room alone, wondering what the first say is supposed to be like.

They haven't said anything about what I'm supposed to do when I first arrive on that day. So I was wondering what the general practise is. Do I turn up at 9 and sit and my desk, or go to one of the supervisors rooms? I have no idea, and it feels like a totally silly question to be raising, but it's niggling at me and I know you guys probably won't laugh at me.

Thanks. x

EDIT: Damn! I've stupidly not checked spelling errors on the title....doh! Now I really do look stupid. Hehe. I do have impeccable spelling skills usually too. x

I am due to start my PhD in October and have a couple of questions with regards to the 'setting up' process. The University haven't been very helpful since I waited quite a while for them to sort the paperwork out and send me the offer letter. I expected this to be more like a pack to highlight all the things that come with joining a Uni, ie. registration, term dates etc etc. Instead, it's just a letter.

My PhD is being funded by a BBSRC CASE studentship in collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline and this apparently covers my tuition fees and gives a generous stipend. When am I expected to sort these money bits n bob out? When I start or before?

Apologies if this seems badly written and kacky but I'm having an extremely stressful day.

Hi, thanks for the congrats.

I really want to make a good impression for the sake of career longevity so I'm totally gonna treat it like a job. I plan to try to apply for university run student accommodation just as soon as my official letter comes through. I hope I'm not too late and that they can place me somewhere. I think it'll be easier for me at least in the first year I'm there.

Thanks for letting me know about the nasty areas. x

So I was offered the place at the University of Liverpool and I graciously accepted. I'm really excited to be starting and can't wait. Also, considering I live in Leeds now I'm definitely excited to be moving to a new city. Despite this, I'm very much daunted at the same time.

The start-date is set at 1st Oct, so I need to prepare so I'm totally settled to begin then. Do any of you lovely people have any tips, reminders and general pieces of advice for someone in my position. I have lived and studied in Leeds all my life and I'm only 21 so this is a big step for me. I know I'm gonna forget something along the way.

I'd totally appreciate any words of wisdom you have to offer, be it with regards to the actually PhD work or with regards to relocating or even tips of living in Liverpool. Thanks in advance. x

Yay! I got the PhD and I've accepted the offer.

I can't wait to start.

Thanks everyone who helped calm my nerves and for all the support.

Jen, perhaps I'll see you in October! Thanks. x

Hi guys,

I went for my interview yesterday and it went really well. The supervisor has really good feedback for me too. I'm hoping this means I'm successful!

Thanks everyone for your help. It's greatly appreciated.

x

Hi chubear123. Thanks for the tips. They're really useful. I have been told that one of the supervisors for the project and another guy are gonna be interviewing (it would have been two of the supervisors but she had to pull out due to family bereavement). I think I can answer the general questions about PhD life and how I perceive it, since I've had some experience working in research teams and have lived with a number of PhD students. When it comes to answering about the methodology, I think I'll be stuck. I find the title very interesting and would be applying my general knowledge of microbiology to it, since we didn't learn much about dental micro. I've read some of the supervisors previous work and it look very exciting and interesting but I don't know anything more than what I've read here when it comes to research level studies on plaque. How do you think I should approach this in the interview?