Hello

Thank you for your replies. Anxious_PhDgirl, I also get told by my close friends that I never shut up, so it is good to hear that other people are also like this. I think I do just need to give it a bit more time and learn to not care what others think.

Buckley, I normally end up stood listening and saying very little, while just trying to smile, so I guess at least hopefully I will be coming across as a good listener.

Thanks for the advice, I will just keep trying for now and hopefully things will get a little easier.

Hello

I was wondering if anyone could offer me some advice? I have recently moved to a new university and started a research project. I absolutely love my project, and so far the university seems really nice, but I am currently struggling with a complete lack of confidence.

I have always been shy until I get to know people (once I am comfortable with people I become a lot more outgoing), but at the moment I am really struggling to get to know people and am feeling a little bit isolated. I am finding it really difficult to make conversation with people when I do meet them and am worried I am going to come across as unfriendly or unapproachable.

I know it will take a bit of time to settle into a new place, but I am also completely doubting my abilities at the moment. I have a very approachable supervisor, however during meetings, whenever I am asked a question, even if I know the answer, my mind just freezes and goes blank and I can't answer. My face then goes really red, and I am very aware this happens which just makes the whole situation worse. I just feel really stupid.

I am going to join a couple of clubs and societies to meet people, but I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to deal with finding it difficult to talk to people?

Thanks!

Hello

Thank you for your advice.

I am in social science, and I have found a few funded opportunities available, but I have just not been successful so far. I am going to keep trying to find a funded place, however I am thinking about this as an option if I haven't found a PhD by this time next year. After completing my masters I did spend some time working in a research assistant role, however this was a short term job, but it was during my time in this role that I decided a PhD is what I would like to do. I have been asking for feedback from the interviews I have attended and am currently trying to address some of the areas I can improve on.

There are two main reasons why I would like to do a PhD, the first is that I would like the intellectual challenge, however I would also hope that by completing a PhD it would help me to find a job in academia once I had finished (although I do realise these are quite hard to come by at the moment!)

One of the things I am concerned about is that by doing a self funded PhD it would be looked down on by future employers.

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Hello

I am new to this forum and thinking about doing a PhD, however I was hoping someone could offer me some advice on the advantages and disadvantages of doing a self funded PhD.

I completed a masters degree a couple of years ago obtaining a merit and, during the last couple of years, I have decided I would like to do a PhD. I started applying for funded PhDs and a couple of times I have got to the interview stage, however my interview technique is pretty shocking so I have never got any further than the interview.

I am now beginning to think about funding my own PhD. I have looked at finances etc. and using savings and with a loan/a bit of help from my family I should be able to cover tuition fees and living costs as long as I have a part time job.

What I am trying to figure out now is what are the main advantages/disadvantages of a self funded PhD (other than the cost) in comparison to a funded PhD project? Also, would I be more likely to be accepted on to a PhD if I was self funding? I am still going to keep applying for funded PhDs but this is sort of a last resort option.

Any advice would be appreciated :-)