Yes, I am in some ways very much like the condition that you describe. I am a perfectionist in the respect that I have to cover everything and do everything comprehensively all the time - the end result being that sometimes my work takes longer to complete than it should.

For me the central issue is overcomplicating things too much and overanalysing. Some people are caught in an intellectual trap becuase they overanalyse things instead of just putting pen to paper which would actually give them more insight than analysing things and trying to be comprehansive and perfectionist about everything.

I suggested martial arts becuase it can have a positive effect on the way your mind works and can focus you to simplify things.

I can't comment on things from a medical perspective, but feel if there are cures to such problems, you won't find them in a doctor's surgery on in a bottle, but instead you will find them withing yourself.

You could try taking up martial arts - that could possibly help you.

If you really want some good insight into the potential for problems for students who defend their rights then have a glance at some of these links:

http://bulliedacademics.blogspot.com/
http://www.uow.edu.au/arts/sts/bmartin/pubs/98tk/

Litigation is a big issue in academia at the moment in the UK and certainly as more and more students see themselves as customers, they are becoming increasingly aware of their rights under higher education law. I'd take this guys advice, because students could complain...the chances of this happening increase when you blur the lines between being a tutor/demonstrator and someone who hangs around with undergrads...they'll be the first to drop you in it if anything goes wrong and when formal complaints etc rear their ugly head, you can be assured that you will never hear the end of it.

Universities in the UK have a reputation for being spectacularly bad at dealing with complaints and grievances, so take your Director's advice and keep your professional distance for your own sake.

In my experience, there is a clear separation between PhD student/Postdocs/academics AND undergraduates.

I guess you are the victim of being "frowned upon" for not conforming to the "norm" of creating a sort of professional distance between yourself and undergrads. It's all a pile of bullxxit, but you can't ever hope to change the accepted norms of your institution unless you are prepared to challenge them and make an issue of this "unwritten code of conduct". It is NOT worth challenging anyone on this issue - you have greater things at stake here.

Oo'er,.. in future I will then ensure that I make everything crystal clear in case I invoke the dreaded wrath of the forum critic.

P.S. Am just yanking your chain - no real offence intended.

The best enhancer I've found is to keep really fit and active - I can survive on much less sleep when I go to the gym regularly.

I found that a cup of strong Cadbury's cocoa (3heaped tablespoons) with lots of sugar really boosts concentration levels for a couple of hours - I have used this many times!

The word "should" my friend, just leads to unfulfilled expectations. In any case, what's the big deal? Can we please get on with the thread?

Well, I am a graduate and the enquiry was really just to get some recommendations on good textbooks to brush up my skills in mathematics and physics in preparation for applying for a PhD.

"Wrong website" - not sure to what you are referring here.
And the answer to your question is...yes, I have heard of reading lists. Has anyone else heard about them? Have you heard about them? I've heard about them. Maybe someone else has heard of them? Are they important? Should we look at them?

Regards

Try Googling "biology forums" - I'm a chemist so am not sure how good they are.

Cheers

Thanks, I have the Feynmann lecture notes, but was not too sure if perhaps I should be using a more modern text?

I've been looking at Cambridge Uni's Natural Science Tripos (specifically physics) and also the Maths Tripos and was considering focussing on the online lectures as opposed to studying from textbooks.

Could anyone recommend some of the most generally accepted authoritative texts for undergraduate physics and mathematics?

I am looking for the basic texts that would be used for 1st and 2nd year for both subjects e.g. 1 or 2 texts for each subject.

Additionally any recommendations on appropriate honours level texts to cover the main subdivisions of each discipline. I have a copy of the 12th edition of University Physics by Freedman - as far as I know this would cover both 1st and 2nd year.

Alternatively, if there are any top notch lecture courses that could be recommended - essentially I am at the moment looking for the highest quality resources I can get for physics and maths.
Cheers

I'm also considering self-studying the Cambridge Mathematical Tripos I and perhaps II.