Dear all, any optimistic 1st or 2nd years I'd advise you to stop reading. This isn't pretty. I've been told by my supervisor I've got 6 - 8 months of lab time before he thinks I can finish. I have funding for a year and a half. My problem is that I'm constantly bitter - and it's getting worse. I can barely be bothered to even smile at the new PhD students starting and there excitement and optimism makes me want to punch them.

Outside of this sodding PhD I'm a nice optimistic person - generally helpful. 2 years in research has twisted me into this horrible old woman. Any hints and tips in how I can finish this thing without being convicted of murder after a masters student remarked on how nice the weather is?

P.S I'm a keen long distance runner and I lift heavy weights - this doesn't seem to help my rage.

Thanks,

Kate

Can I join your club - I am ready to throtle the next person who even talks about his PhD in a positive light!! Frankly I couldn't think of anything worse than being stuck in the lift with a bunch of phd students and post-docs. Oh for normal people...

Hang on, I'm not familiar with science PhDs but... 6-8 months of lab time and a year and a half more funding... that sounds like it adds up to me. I hope my being way off-base doesn't add to your rage...