Administrators, before you even think about it, this ain't off topic. It contains the word "PhD", at least once.

Anyone planning to go on holiday this summer to take a break from the Ph.D? I know that most supervisors don't like this, but in the interest of mental well being, I think breaks are very important. How do you make sure that you really take the time off? If I'm at home I will think about the PhD every day, so usually I need to leave the country.

Can't afford a holiday this year, so I bought myself a bag of sherbet lemons as a compromise. I can probably stretch my finances to another bag sometime next week as well. If I can get Google Maps to work on my computer, I'll be having a virtual round the world tour on a nondescript Wednesday afternoon sometime though.

Good stuff. Does a tour around the block count as sightseeing?

What a life! (sighing in desperation)

Yes, we're going to France for a week in August. Haven't told my supervisor. Haven't seen him in months and he won't notice.

What's it got to do with supervisors?
Are you all lab-based?

Hopefully we'll go to a sunny warm beach somewhere in August

I think my supervisor would relish the thought of me going on holiday - at least he'd have peace from my constant questioning!

I go on holiday for a week or so every few months... It gives me time to get away, re-coup and come back refreshed and with fresh eyes to go over old work. I don't tell my sup as there is no need, we are more like colleagues than master/slave thank goodness. Am not a believer in constant work and no play - I did that for two Masters degrees and nearly popped. I treat this like a job, and with a job I get a break here and there.

Don't run yourself into the ground! A couple of days camping won't break the bank and it would be... dare I say it... FUN!

I'm broke and I'm way behind my schedule - so no holiday for me. But then I'm one of those people who never go on holiday. :(

I did have weekend in Paris the other month (attached to a research trip), so that will count as my summer holiday.

Although, I do have a stack of Tesco clubcard vouchers - which apparently turn into Marriott vouchers at 4 times the value - so I may have a weekend somewhere in the UK later in the summer.

I just went to Limerick on Ryanair this week overnight. Cost = 2 pence return! (incl. taxes, and global footprint). The privilege of using my credit card to book was £2.40!

Cheap holidays are to be found if you look around.

me, too, going to france for a week, soon! i am currently so gazonked that i keep slaving away but don't get any work done. i seriously need these holidays!

I took three weeks in June to go Oz. I was really worried about taking that much time off and dreaded asking the boss but he was absolutely fine with it. Everyone needs a decent break away from their PhD. BUT be warned... although I felt refreshed the first week back.. within two weeks, I'm feeling very isolated and depressed being stuck in the lab/office again. That three weeks of freedom has just made me crave more!

Ryanair have got their £1 offer on now. I may book a daytrip to Dublin.

Visa charges have gone up to £8 per person - but I guess one can't complain when the flight costs £2.

I'm starting my PhD in October, and am 'one of those people who never go on holiday'.

Am currently quite jealous of the people on my masters course who are going away this summer, but with my career development loan and lack of job all year it just isn't possible.

But I do tend to be rubbish at taking proper time off and taking my mind off things and I'll probably go mad if I attempt this during my PhD. Good thing I'll have my grant coming in from October, so I can get away for a week or two.

I've already been - two weeks on an Italian beach. Although the presence of my 3 year old meant it wasn't exactly relaxing - still fab though. Back to work now though!