======= Date Modified 28 Apr 2011 08:52:17 =======
======= Date Modified 28 Apr 2011 08:52:00 =======
May be a bit of a strange question, but how did any of you inform others that you were going to do a PhD? I've just been awarded a studentship and I'm unsure whether it's polite to announce it to others on my masters course. I ask because it seems usual practice for people to announce such things on Facebook and be met with 50 Likes etc. That doesn't feel very 'me', seems a bit awkward for people who didn't win studentships to read something like that.

How did you tell others that you were going to do a PhD?

If you are not into the FB announcement thing, don't bother with it. It's just a tool, like any other. That doesn't mean it needs to be used.
Conversations usually went something like this:
"I'm moving to the UK."
"Wait, what? Why?"
"Eh, getting a bit antsy here. And setting out on another degree."
"Another one? Don't you have enough of those, degree collecting is almost like a hobby for you."
"Hehe, yeah, this time it's for a PhD"
"Ahh, so going up a level."

If it is not you, do not put it on facebook. Just tell the people who matter yourself (they will appreciate it more than hearing on facebook).It depends on the kind of person you are I guess. I just told the people who mattered myself, the others heard when they noticed I moved country and asked. They do not all need to know now. Congratulations on getting the studentship however :)

======= Date Modified 29 Apr 2011 11:44:34 =======

Hi Linaoo

Congrats on getting a studentship, quite an achievement against very tough competition these days.

In answer to your question, I would unreservedly say that less is more.  Would you 'announce' a failure ? If not, then why 'announce' a win?

I'm sure i sound very British here but its a bit like new money, old money; i.e. showy and tacky against understated and classy.  I know I'm generalising to the hilt here ;-)

Be excited amongst those who are close, amongst others i would show restraint as they may not have been so blessed. 

Enjoy your PhD for its own sake, for yourself ... as its only you that you can do it for.   Chuff

I actually haven't told anyone that I have been awarded the studentship. Perhaps the issue is that I don't feel many of these people are my friends, but rather course-mates I've shared a few experiences with. I think I've formed negative impressions of them from the way they seem very hungry for success and enjoy advertising anything and everything. It's actually stopped me from wanting to socialize with many of them because rather than talk about research we're mutually interested in, a focus falls onto how much they want to achieve. I feel it's a bit OTT for my liking, but perhaps they are just more competitive than me. Their behaviour often seems quite crass and narcissistic... maybe I am a snob! I don't think I've consciously played any kind of games to get where I want to be, I've just shown interest in the areas and worked hard. I'm terrible at networking if networking translates as being sycophantic. I'm awful at brown nosing! My mind wanders off to wanting to think about the research rather than securing my place on the basis of shallow ostentatious interactions with 'big names'. I don't know if in the long run I'm heading towards being ostracized because I'm not patient with people who I feel are playing games. I'm not sure if anyone else thinks like me, perhaps I'll have to adapt...

"I don't know if in the long run I'm heading towards ..." demonstrating integrity
Good for you. Chuff